Balance | Old Version

Chapter 13

Elua's POV.

"Elua," I hear Sokka whisper after about 30 minutes of silence. "Are you awake?" He asks.
"Yes," I whisper as I roll over and face him as he lays beside me.
"Why were you in the Fire Nation?" He asks me curiously, I sigh.
"I was visiting a friend," I answer, hoping that was enough information.
"A boyfriend?" He questions, I look at him with a frown.
"What!? No!" I whisper yell.

"Okay, okay. I'm joking." He says chuckling. I roll my eyes playfully.
"I mean he was a boy, but we were just friends," I state. "He helped me with my firebending," I tell him, he seems surprised.
"You know how to Firebend already?" He asks me shocked
"Yeah, I learned when I was 14. I haven't mastered it though" I tell him truthfully.
"Oh. So, who was your friend?" Sokka asks, My eyes go a little wide.
"Um, well, uh..." I try to say, but I don't know if he'll hate me for it.

"What? You can tell me." He says gently.
"It's just, that if I tell you, I'm afraid you'll hate me," I state, he smiles at me softly.
"Elua, I don't think I could ever hate you." He reassures me.
"How can you be sure?" I ask him, a kind look lingers in his eyes.
"I just...am," He shrugs. I take a deep breath and look at him.
"I was with the prince," I state, he raises an eyebrow.
"Zuko?" He asks confused.

"What? It was 100 years ago how could I have been training with Zuko?" I ask giggling.
"Well, then who?" Sokka asks as he tries to think of who the prince was.
"Azulon," I say simply. Sokka stares at me with wide eyes.
"As in Fire Lord Azulon?" He asks in shock.
"Well, he wasn't Fire Lord when I knew him, but yes," I say nodding.
"Wow," He says speechless.

"Yeah. I'm guessing he's gone?" I ask. Part of me hoped he was still alive, but I knew that was unrealistic and by the last conversation we had...I really shouldn't care.
"Yeah, his son is Fire Lord now, who I'm guessing is Zuko's father," Sokka informs me.
"Probably," I whisper as I yawn, I hadn't realized how extremely tired I was.
"We should probably get some sleep," Sokka says with as he yawns too.
"Yeah..." I mumble as I feel myself slipping into unconsciousness. I hear him chuckle.

"Goodnight, Elua."

The Next Morning.

I wake up to a guard pulling me off the bed, I go to yell but the guard covers my mouth. I look over and see two other guards doing the same thing to Sokka and Katara. They take us out of the 'prison cell' and into another room. The guards put Katara and Sokka into the room, but they begin to drag me somewhere else.
"Wait!" I hear Katara shout.
"Where are you taking her?" Sokka asks, but the guards don't answer.

"I'll be alright!" I shout to them. The guards guide me to another room, they push me into the room and then close the door.
"Hello, Elua" I hear someone say. I turn around and see The King.
"Hello," I say as I stare at him. "May I ask why I'm here instead of with my friends? Also, how do you know my name?" I ask him confused.

"I wanted to speak to you." He says. I stare at him for a few moments, he seemed familiar.
"Do I know you?" I ask, feeling like we had met before.
"How many mad geniuses do you know?" He asks with a laugh that I could never forget.
"Bumi?" I ask smiling.
"It's nice to see you, Elua!" He says as I hug him. "You haven't changed at all, literally!" He says laughing and snorting as we let go.
"Yeah, I was in an Ice burg for 100 years. I thought you would be gone by now." I tell him with a smile.

"I'm still alive, old, but still alive!" He says, making me laugh. Still the same Bumi.
"Wait, why didn't you tell Aang? And why are you making him do these challenges?" I ask him in confusion.
"The world has changed a lot in the last 100 years. Aang has a long road ahead of him, he must bring balance to the world by defeating the Fire Lord," Bumi says seriously, I nod understanding. "Plus it's fun to mess with people!" He says laughing, I shake my head as I laugh with him.

"Just, don't go too hard on him, alright?" I ask him. "He's been through a lot," I state.
"Of course. Now the challenges will begin soon," He says as the door to the room opens, Aang and two guards walk into the room.
"Elua, you're okay!" Aang says happily, he then frowns. "Where are Katara and Sokka?" He asks worriedly.
"I'm not sure," I tell him with a frown.

"First, Avatar, what do you think of my new outfit? I want your honest opinion." Bumi asks Aang as he motions to his purple robes. Aang looks at him confused. "I'm waiting," He says.
"I...guess it's fine?" Aang asks more so then says to him.
"Excellent! You passed the first test." Bumi says with a smile.
"Really?" Aang asks surprised.
"Well, not one of the deadly tests. The real challenges are much more...challenging." Bumi says.

Aang's expression becomes angry and he airbends his feet to run in an instant up to King Bumi.
"I don't have time for your crazy games! Give me my friends back! We're leaving!" Aang shouts in anger.
"Ohh, I thought you might refuse..." Bumi says as the door opens and Sokka and Katara walk in. The guards put small rings on their fingers, they try to pull them off their fingers but they can't.

"...So I will give your friends some special souvenirs. Those delightful rings are made of pure geminite, also known as creeping crystal. It's a crystal that grows remarkably fast. By nightfall, your friends will be completely covered in it. Terrible fate, really. I can stop it, but only if you cooperate." Bumi explains to Aang.
"Ah! It's already creeping!" Sokka shouts as the ring begins to grow along his finger.
"I'll do what you want," Aang tells Bumi with a look of determination on his face.