The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 70 [~|~] The Drill

Azara walked along beside Toph as they escorted the refugees to Ba Sing Se when a passing shadow caused her to pause. Turning to the sky, Azara's eyes widened when she spotted Aang on his glider. Katara hurried over to him as he landed, Momo perched on Aang's shoulder. "Aang, what are you doing here? I thought you were looking for Appa," Katara asked, surprise clear in her voice.

"I was, but something stopped me. Something big," Aang revealed, causing the group to share concerned looks. They hurried the rest of the way to the Outer Wall, the group gathering at the base of the wall. Aang and Toph stood at the edge of the group, breaking the floor of the earth below their feet off from the rest of the ground. Raising their arms repeatedly, Aang and Toph lifted everyone up the side of the Outer Wall.

"Now what's so big that Appa had to wait?" Sokka questioned as Azara turned to the distance, her eyes widening as they landed on the contraption Aang was undoubtedly referring to.

"I guess the rumors were true. The Fire Nation was planning something," she spoke, her tone filled with despair as she stared out at the drill as it drew closer and closer to Ba Sing Se. Reaching the top of the Outer Wall, the group disembarked from their earth elevator and gazed out over at the drill.

"We made it to Ba Sing Se and we're still not safe. No one is!" Ying cried out as she huddled with her family, her baby silent in her arms. Azara snapped out of her daze as a guard marched over, his face screwed up in annoyance.

"What are you people doing here? Civilians aren't allowed on the wall!" a guard shouted, stopping in front of them as Aang stepped forwards.

"I'm the Avatar. Take me to whoever is in charge," Aang demanded, his eyes narrowed, the gravity of the situation clear in the air. Than and Ying were led into the city by a guard as Aang and his friends were led to the commanding officer on the Outer Wall, General Sung.

"It is an honor to welcome you to the Outer Wall, young Avatar, but your help is not needed," General Sung spoke happily, causing the group to share confused looks.

"Not needed?" Aang repeated, sounding unsure of the general's assurances.

"Not needed. I have the situation under control. I assure you the Fire Nation cannot penetrate this wall. Many have tried to break through it, but none have succeeded," General Sung stated calmly as Azara crossed her arms over her chest, her expression clearly unimpressed with the Earth Kingdom general.

"What about the Dragon of the West? He got in," Toph pointed out, which took General Sung aback for a moment.

"Well . . . uh, technically yes, but he was quickly expunged!" General Sung smirked as he raised a finger with finality.

"He wasn't expunged, he retreated willingly," Azara corrected, taking Sung aback again. Her eyes narrowed further as he stuttered out more excuses.

"Because we outmaneuvered him—" Sung tried to argue, but Azara's eyes flashed with anger.

"—Because his son—!" Azara started to shout but cut herself off. Her arms dropped to her sides as she fell quiet, her gaze away from the general as her thoughts drifted to her deceased cousin. In their haste to get to Ba Sing Se, she hadn't even realized that she would be returning to the site of her cousin's untimely death. "Forget it, we have more important things to discuss."

General Sung waved his hand, dismissing her concerns. "We have nothing to worry about. The city is named Ba Sing Se. It's the 'impenetrable city.' They don't call it Na Sing Se," Sung joked before turning serious. "That means 'penetrable city.'"