Avatar: Lingering Tensions

Chapter 23: Ozai's Challenge Part 4

As the battle at the Capital rages on, Appa rides in the air toward the Kecca volcanic base. There, the sky is a faint blue color with a mix of light yellow. Two guards stand at a pathway located on the exterior of the volcano base, one firebender and one swordsman. Firebender guard: "Heh, I wish we were at the Capital, dishing out real damage."

Swordsman guard: "I know, Ozai said this was an honor, I certainly don't feel honored."

Firebender guard: "Let's hope we get some action pretty soon. I'd love to scorch something."

A distant cheerful voice interrupts, "Scorch this!" A boomerang flies and nails both men in their heads. The guards fall off the volcano platform. The boomerang flies backwards into Sokka's right hand. The duelist advances with Firelord Zuko rushing behind him. This time, Zuko isn't sporting his flashy robes but rather has a traditional dark red shirt and black pants.

Zuko stops as he notices a door entrance and promptly prepares to blast it open. Sokka interrupts, "Wait, they may have keys." Sokka checks their pants but doesn't find anything. Sokka comments, "Nope, they were smart enough to force them to knock to get in, but I have gotten lucky sometimes trying that."

Zuko: "Never underestimate the carelessness of others."

Sokka adds, "Or the stupidity of others."

Zuko: "That's a bit harsh, we all come up short sometimes."

Sokka: "Sounds like that's coming from a personal place." Zuko blasts the door open, and it flies into an unsuspecting Remnant sergeant. The door immediately drops him and knocks the officer asleep. The duo run through the hallway into the volcanic base. A team of three Remnant firebenders move to engage Zuko.

The royal punches two rainbow fireballs into two of the men, flooring them. The remaining soldier extends his hands as he shoots a beam of orange and yellow flames at the legend. The monarch raises his hands, and a swirling wall of multi-colored fire blocks the shot. Zuko extends his arms, and the wall shifts into a long ray of fire.

The man leaps left as he avoids the shot, but he sweats as his body takes in the adjacent heat. Sokka tosses his boomerang into the trooper's stomach, knocking him back three feet into the floor. The man slides and rolls over before he passes out. Meanwhile, Katara sits in chains as the inquisitor Zendo stands across her in a dark red chamber.

The chamber has clear and see-through-doors but is illuminated by an open window and bright yellow fire lit torches that are mounted on the walls. Katara has several cuts on her arms and legs as remains hung up. Zendo smiles, "Good, now let's try again." While Katara hates an ancient ability she once utilized before, the man's gruesome actions influence her to reach back into a dark place she hoped she'd never have to go to again.

As the man prepares to swing again the young waterbender concentrates and his left hand (which holds the blade) starts shaking. Zendo shouts, "Ughghghgh!" The man uncontrollably tosses his knife off the platform, and he is pulled against the floor.

Katara: "Release me or I will be the one who runs this torture session!" Zendo looks at the two guards in the room. One is a firebender and the other is a swordsman. Katara pulls them against the ground as well. Katara: "Do you understand?"

Zendo looks at the Firebender, "Tuto, amplify the dehumidifier!" The firebender concentrates as he heats up the room. The dehumidifier turns from red to orange as it heats up even more greatly. Katara's lips begin to chappen, her hair loses moisture, and her throat dries as well. Even the open cuts Katara has start to dry.

This does not only impact Katara but everyone else in the room, including Zendo. However, the Firebender is able to reduce the effects of the device. Katara gasps as she loses her grip on the others who can move freely again. Zendo: "Do you see now Katara? I am in control." Zendo signals to his guards, "But due to your valiant efforts, you will not have to worry about me stabbing you anymore. Instead, I will sit and watch from outside the doors as the dehumidifier sucks your body dry of the water it needs to survive."