Chapter 40.5- And so the Dragons Danced

 Even without trying, I knew I would not be able to generate even the smallest wisp of flame. Internal firebending was also impossible. To put it succinctly, since the day I entered the academy, I had never been so vulnerable. Even that version of me, soft as a cloud and raw as sushi would have had an easy time killing me in my present state. I instantly took a step back from the balcony as I realised that I would never be able to react to an arrow in time without heat enhancing my internal speed and reactions. I returned to my seat even as Toji and Toph stared directly at the eclipse. With any luck, this would be the last one I ever experienced. I turned to my hourglass, specially created to run for eight minutes for this exact purpose and flipped it.

Like that had been a signal, there was a sudden knocking at the door. I turned to Toji and lifted an eyebrow as he picked up his spear and went towards the door while trying to use sign language to communicate with Toph to ask questions. “She’s blind, you idiot” I pointed out and he facepalmed as he realised that there was no chance anyone had taught a blind girl how to speak sign language. He leaned towards her and began to whisper instead, and his smile died when he got the answer he was looking for before he marched towards the door.

He opened it, and two of the remaining men in my division, Lin and Yang walked in with two men behind them.

“General Natsu Sir, Prince Iroh of the Fire Nation Royal Family insists on seeing you” Yang said as he walked in and stepped aside for the two men behind him to step forwards. I stared at them, and then turned to look at the sun as it presently stood, covered by the moon. My hourglass seemed to have about seven minutes of time left in it. Finally, my gaze turned to the two idiots.

“Do you know the men you have brought to me?” I asked, feeling a headache building.

“The Prince of the Fire Nation, Sir.”

“And the man with him? Do you know who that is?” I asked, rubbing my temple. Toji already had his spear pointed at our ‘guests’ while Toph was adopting a more relaxed posture but seemed to also understand what was going on to some extent.

“No, Sir.”

“Look at him closely, really look. Nothing’s familiar about that hair and that face?” I asked, even as the men who had basically barged into my office seemed on the verge of laughter.

“Ahhhh. Lin, It’’s Jeong-Jeong the betrayer” the larger one said, turning to his partner.

“There’s no way it could be him” The thin one replied, before looking even closer and exclaiming in shock.

“What’s Jeong-Jeong the betrayer doing here” Yang asked his fellow, and before more foolishness could ensue, I cleared my throat.

“Get out.” I snarled at the both of them, patience at its last straw. Turning to the traitors, I pointedly asked, “And what the hell do you two want?”

“Now, Natsu my boy, I’d expected a much more agreeable welcome than this” the Old General spoke out.

“It’s General Natsu to you, Prince Iroh” I instantly replied.