The Legend of Percy: Book 2 - Through Grief

28. To Burn or Not to Burn (Do Firebenders Even Have Social Skills?)

A/N: Hi all! I'm back with another chapter. Turns out a trip is a great excuse to find time to write. Also, with everything going on, I hope everyone is staying as safe as possible and that my story (even if in the smallest amount) can be some form of escapism from some of the real world. I hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think.

The four children sat in a circle on rock seats. Percy noted Toph's comedically large one, rather entertained at the sight.

"We need to decide what we're gonna do now." He heard Katara say.

"Okay, so what's the new plan?" Aang asked.

"Percy!!" Toph interrupted, leaping off her pillar and crashing into a hug.

The demigod laughed good naturedly.

"I should've known better than to think I could sneak up on you."

He gave her hair a good scruff while returning the hug with equal enthusiasm. The rest of the group all joined in, though Aang and Katara seemed to have other things on their minds. Questions were answered about how his avoidance and diversion of the Fire Nation went, and everyone seemed to feel a little relief after being reassured that there weren't any airships that followed them to the Air Temple. Percy didn't feel the need to mention that Zuko was there with them. That, he was just going to let play out.

They all separated back to their seats, with Percy sitting against Afosiosi on the floor next to Toph. The demigod looked up at her and laughed, to which she responded with a knowing smirk.

"So, the plan?" Katara continued.

"We need to get Aang a firebending master." Sokka said. "We just need Aang to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes."

Percy raised his eyebrows at that. He hadn't heard too much about the comet and what happens with it, but with the way the group reacted, he could tell that it wasn't too far away. And with Aang's sarcastic reply, it seemed like the kids weren't feeling like they had very good odds.

Well, wouldn't you know. A firebender just followed them all the way here.

He couldn't help but marvel at the way these things seemed to fall into place. The gods in his time that sprinkled their way throughout his journeys to either completely hinder his pace or save them when continuing felt like it was almost too much. The dream visions that told him just enough to get him going, but not enough to know exactly what was about to happen until it did.

No matter how much I hate those old crones, the Fates sure do weave interesting tapestries. It's always funny how destiny lands at your feet, no matter how hard you try.

He must've reacted a certain way, or had a particular look on his face, because both Toph and Sokka were paying attention to him while Katara and Aang were still trying to come up with ideas. The name Jeong Jeong came up and was breezed past quickly. It seemed the young Water Tribe man had a notion that Percy could help them out with a master firebender. That wasn't too far off base, considering his experience with Fire Nation people. But it seemed Sokka was about to get his answer.

"Well, I guess we can't think of any." Aang said. "So-"

"Guys." Toph interrupted him. "I think that'll have to wait."

She leapt down off her pillar and pointed towards the shadowed figure of the Fire Nation Prince. Percy sat up, rather intrigued, while Siosi seemed to be bored or still annoyed with the fact that it wasn't Azula, so she dropped her head back down. The same couldn't be said for the rest of the children.

All of them, bar Toph, seemed to be both shocked and on high alert. Their hands were raised defensively, and all their weapons were drawn. The demigod noted that Zuko didn't react with any manner of self-defence of his own.