Chapter 45.5- And so the Dragons Danced

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“He needs to die” They had coalesced in the office after Zuko had gotten the chance to vent his anger. Now instead of white hot rage, his anger had become a cooler, more insidious thing. Aang looked visibly uncomfortable at the mention of death, but he remained silent. She thanked Kyoshi for that fact.

“And how will that happen?” Bato asked.

“Not from us doing nothing for sure. We need to make sure he is taken care off before Sozin’s Comet” Zuko said now.

“Why before then specifically? Won’t all of you get stronger by then? Cancel each other out?” She probed.

Jeong-Jeong chuckled at that.

“Agni does not bless all her children equally. And Sozin’s Comet is much the same. The average fire bender might only see a 50% boost in power, but the strong ones, the prodigies like Natsu and the Princess Azula? They can get twice as strong under the comet. We have a chance now, if a slim one. By then, they will be unstoppable.” The white haired man explained to her before turning to Zuko.

“The question still remains how. I fought him. I saw him and your Uncle fight. They weren’t at a level I could even comprehend. No offense, but he’d tear you apart in seconds” He said, not even showing any deference to the man who was ostensibly his Lord.

“I know that. Agni damn it, I know that. I know that no matter how hard I train there is no chance of me beating someone who could fight both you and Uncle at the same time. But just because I can’t be the one to get it doesn’t mean my revenge will be unattainable” He said, turning a meaningful gaze in Aang’s direction.

“No.” Aang said immediately.

“You’re the Avatar” Zuko said.

“The Avatar, not a hired killer”

“It’s your duty to end the war and bring balance to the world is it not? There’s no way the war ends if we don’t get Him out of Ba Sing Se and he won’t be leaving willingly, I assure you”

“I will not kill Zuko. Not for you. Not for anyone.”

“Then don’t” Sokka cut in.

“Just capture him and hand him over. We’ll handle what comes next” He said, and she found herself agreeing with the sentiment.

“Wait. Not to risk offending the Avatar, but I must ask: what happens if Aang isn’t strong enough” Jeong-Jeong asked.

“He can control the Avatar state now. It’s impossible to beat the Avatar in the Avatar State” Katara found herself stating.

“No one, not even me, is invincible” Aang pointed out.

“There’s no need to be humble. You’re the next best thing” She said in reply, feeling the plan come into place.