ATLA: Azlua

Rebellion Finale Part 1

Mai's gaze drifted over the makeshift war room as she pressed her fist into the table, trying to stave off the tension rising within. Around her, the notable leaders of the rebel branches stood in small clusters, each person as exhausted and irritable as the next. Even with the largest force they'd managed to gather, they were still outnumbered by the Earth Kingdom army. She watched as yet another argument broke out among the group, and she finally snapped.

"Enough!" she barked, slamming her fist against the table. The room fell silent, every eye turning to her. "There will be no surprise attack. We've got 300 bending units and 500 conscripts, most of whom have barely held a weapon in their lives. The Earth Kingdom's weakened state still leaves them with 500 elite bending units and 1,000 conscripts." She let that sink in before continuing, "Our strength is in waiting. The Fire Nation is on its way. Fire Lord Azula will be bringing support; we simply need to hold until they arrive."

A burly branch leader, with a scar running across his cheek and piercing dark eyes, stood up, leaning over the table. "Lady Mai, I'm not convinced waiting is in our best interest. Our numbers are insufficient, and they're growing weaker by the day, but they still outclass us. We need to soften them up before they strike first."

Mai gave him a hard stare. "Mr. Shu Jian, I understand your concerns, but if we expose ourselves now, we lose any advantage we might have. We're already stretched thin. The Fire Nation reinforcements are our best hope."

The room buzzed with muttered arguments, the tension mounting again. Rangi finally stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise. "Enough! We're not risking any fighters on a half-baked assault. We wait for reinforcements."

As the others filed out, grumbling under their breath, Rangi massaged his temples, trying to ward off the headache pounding at the edges of his skull. Mai rested a hand on his shoulder, giving him a sympathetic pat. Since Hong Li's death, Rangi had been forced into leadership, and the weight of it was taking its toll.

He let out a sigh, looking down at the floor. "I don't know how he did it, Mai. Everyone is just so...needy. I'd be completely lost without you helping me organize all of this."

She gave him a small smile and punched his arm playfully. "You're doing fine. Don't sell yourself short—you're a natural leader, Rangi."

He looked up at her, offering a tired smile. "Thanks, Mai. I mean it." His tone softened, the weight of the day's events still pressing on him. "Asha's been on my case lately, keeping me in line." He chuckled softly, but Mai flinched at the mention of Asha, who still hadn't forgiven her. He noticed her reaction and frowned. "Still no word from her?"

Mai's smile turned bitter. "No. But I understand. I'd blame me too." She gave him a small wave, heading toward the door.

As she turned, Rangi's voice called out softly. "It wasn't your fault, you know. I see that now, and one day she will too."

Mai gave a dismissive wave, not looking back, her thoughts betraying her words. She'd expected guilt or anger to follow her after Hong Li's death, but instead, there was only a numbness that settled deeper each day. It scared her how easily she'd come to lie, even to those she once trusted. As she wandered out into the cool night air, the nagging thought crossed her mind: Is this how Azula feels all the time?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a figure she hadn't anticipated—a young girl, no more than twelve, with unseeing, sea-foam grey eyes that had a sharpness to them, a presence that Mai felt even before she recognized her. Toph Beifong, the legendary earthbender.

Mai's heart skipped a beat as her mind raced through a dozen questions. Why is she here? Is the Avatar with her? But her thoughts focused on a more immediate concern—the threat Toph posed to their operation. Memories of the boy who had died by Azula's hand flashed through her mind, and the recent days of paranoia only heightened her sense of danger.