Well, I just couldn't stay away...

I know, I said it would take a while, but I just can't stop writing this! I tried to work on my other fanfics, but this one kept nagging at me!

For those of you who are new...

THIS IS A SEQUEL! The first book is called Water: Twist of Fate, so if you haven't read it, go check it out! This will make a lot more sense if you do!

For the rest of you...enjoy the first chapter of Earth: Bring it Down!

If you like it, and want more...

PLEASE REVIEW!

Earth: Bring it Down

a Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfic

by Sapphire-Raindrop

Chapter 1: Most Vulnerable

Dakota let out a soft sigh, her fingers plucking at the clean trousers and kimono shirt she now wore. Instead of the bold colors of the Fire Nation, the shirt was a mild pink color, the pants an unobtrusive tan. Her skin was freshly scrubbed, and smelled like fragrant lotion.

It had been three weeks and three days since the siege of the North Pole.

Three weeks had been spent at sea. Luckily, just when the food and water that was stored on the ship was running out, they reached a small Fire Nation settlement. The main attraction was a large, extravagant spa, and that's where Dakota was now, along with Zuko and Iroh.

The spa owners had taken one look at Zuko and Iroh and proclaimed their visit free of charge, as they were royalty. Iroh convinced them that Dakota was their companion, and the hospitality was extended to her as well. Dakota had never been to a spa before, and Iroh suggested that she take the time to enjoy herself. She really tried, but the trauma of the North Pole was still fresh in her mind, and so it was difficult.

The spa employees fussed over her, giving her massages, hair treatments, pedicures and manicures like they were small trifles. Dakota wasn't sure that she was comfortable being around such extravagance, and was glad when she was finally left alone. The spa grounds were lovely, with flowering cherry blossom trees scattered all around the place and filling the air with their delicate scent.

Dakota shook her head to clear it, and looked up at the sound of someone approaching her. It was Zuko, and if she looked beyond him, she could see Iroh getting a back massage in one of the open rooms. The older man was beaming, and Dakota smiled at his shameless enjoyment.

Then, she looked up at Zuko. He was staring out at the trees, his shoulders tense under the sleeves of his pink robe. Dakota gave him a small smile of greeting that he didn't see, and looked out at the gardens. Small ponds were scattered along the way, and as she looked, Dakota suddenly spotted something small and brown waddle across the path.

Dakota's eyes widened, and she scrambled to her feet. Zuko looked at her in silent question, but she was too absorbed in examining the small creature that had just shown itself. The girl hurried down the cobblestone path, a breathless laugh escaping her when she rounded the nearest corner.

Before her stretched a lovely pond, and looking up at her were the bright eyes of at least ten ducks that sported small turtle shells on their backs instead of folded wings. They were so soft looking, and Dakota approached the pond cautiously, kneeling down so as not to startle them. These had to be the "turtle-ducks" that Iroh had talked about, the source of her nickname.

As she knelt by the pond's edge, the turtle-ducks chattered excitedly, and paddled over to where she sat. Their little heads tilted as they examined her, and their chattering increased when a small loaf of bread dropped on the grass beside her. Startled, Dakota whipped around, only to relax when she saw that it was Zuko.

"Thanks," Dakota murmured, tearing off a little piece and tossing it into the pond. The ducks hurried to gobble it down, and prodded her hands for more. She giggled at the slick feel of their bills against her fingers. A sigh was heard, and Dakota looked over to see Zuko observing the creatures with an indecipherable expression on his face.

"The turtle-ducks seem friendly," Dakota commented, unsure of what else to say.

"My mother always said that turtle-ducks were good judges of character. She believed that they could sense kindness in a person. I guess she was right," Zuko replied gruffly, his eyes hooded as they gazed down at the still waters of the pond. Dakota was surprised that he chose to mention his mother, and noted with a smile when the ducks began to surround Zuko, the quacking extending to him as well.

"I guess she was," Dakota said, choosing not to bring Zuko's attention to the duck's actions. The two of them sat in silence for a time, tossing in bits of bread until it was gone. By that point, the turtle-ducks were lazily full, their flippers paddling until they reached the grassy shore. Dakota beamed when one of the turtle-ducks flopped down in her lap, its head resting on her knee. She stroked the fluffy head, and traced the pattern of its shell with a single finger.

Zuko was still captivated by the still water of the pond, and so Dakota was surprised when he spoke.

"It's been three years since I left home. Three years today," Zuko bit out, his eyes narrowing. Dakota blinked at him for a moment, and then understood. No wonder he was so out of sorts; today was the day he had been banished from his homeland. Dakota petted the turtle-duck in her lap, trying to figure out how to respond.

It was strange, this new camaraderie she shared with Zuko. Ever since the North Pole, something in their relationship had shifted. No longer did Zuko look Dakota like she was a waste of space, and Dakota no longer felt like a small bug under his boot.

They were – dare she say it – equals.

It was still in the early stages, which meant that both of them were acutely aware of the awkwardness present in between them. It spoke volumes that Zuko was trying to open up to her despite his instincts that demanded he shut her out. Dakota saw how hard he was trying, and knew that she had to work just as hard.

Nothing with Zuko was ever easy, that had been proven time and time again.

"I'm sorry. I can't imagine what you must be feeling," Dakota said, looking over at him. Zuko took a deep breath, and met her gaze for a brief moment. His golden eyes were searching her face, and after a second or two he frowned.

"Yes, you can."

Three simple words, and yet they carried such weight. It was an acknowledgement, an unexpected admittance that Zuko wasn't the only one who was suffering. There was a question in his eyes, and Dakota let out a sigh. Her heart ached for the boy sitting next to her.

"Well, I suppose I can, in a way. But I was taken from my world without my family's knowledge. Your family…they're the ones that sent you away. I can't imagine what it must have been like."

Dakota really couldn't. Her parents were loving and kind, and Henry was a quirky bundle of energy she loved in her own way. They would do whatever it took to get her back home if they knew were she was; they would never let her go if they had a choice between keeping her and losing her. The solace she could take from being dragged into the Avatar world was that her parents loved her, and would never stop loving and wanting the best for her.

Zuko didn't have that same luxury. His own father scarred his face beyond repair, and then banished him with only a ship and an uncle to guide him. His mother had been banished only a few years before, and he was set with an impossible task in order to return home – the capture of the Avatar, someone who had been missing for nearly one hundred years. Compared to Dakota, Zuko's home was painfully close…but in truth, Zuko was no closer to getting home than Dakota was.

Zuko's face was so open in that moment, for once the impassive scowl gone from his expression. He stared down at the turtle-ducks as they waddled around him, his lips pursing together. He was, for a brief point in time, he ceased to be the formidable Fire Prince with an awful temper. He became a forsaken child with sad eyes, just as lost as Dakota was.

The two teenagers relapsed into silence, and Dakota wished that she hadn't said anything. The tension in the air was so thick she could almost taste it, and it itched at her conscience like a bug bite. The little turtle-duck in her lap stirred, and quacked groggily before moving to join its kin in the pond. She watched as the turtle-ducks retreated to the other side of the pond, searching for more food presumably.

"If you could go back to your world, would you?" Zuko finally asked, so softly that Dakota almost missed it.

"Would you go home if you had the chance?" Dakota retorted, not unkindly. Zuko glanced at her, his brow furrowing as he did so. He didn't have to reply; they both knew the answer.

Zuko returned his gaze to the surrounding trees. They rustled in the breeze, causing a scattering of small pink petals to float to the ground. Dakota reached up, letting a few of the petals collect in her hand. They were so small that she couldn't even feel them.

When Dakota looked up from her hand, she saw that Zuko had gotten up and was walking back toward the main building. She watched him leave, and felt an unpleasant mixture of relief and guilt.

Dakota picked up one of the shells Iroh had collected, admiring it in the light of the setting sun. It reminded Dakota of the shell the mer-otter had given her, all those months ago. Her fingers reached up to trace the smooth red shell that rested against her skin, just below her collarbone. In the same motion, she touched the three pearls nestled against her throat. Dakota hadn't thought about the gypsies in a long time, but now, as she stared out the window at the waves crashing against the sandy shore, they were all she could think about.

Dakota put the shell down on the table, and moved over to the windowsill, leaning against it.

Had the prison rig captives found their way to the mainland by now? Had Matya's father – Pali, that was his name – found a way back to his family? Had he told his wife and daughter about who Dakota really was, about how she was willingly traveling with the Fire Nation prince and his uncle? Would they be happy she was alive, or would they curse her name?

Did they think of Dakota at all?

"Uncle, we can't take all of this with us! We have to carry our belongings ourselves, remember?" Zuko barked, and Dakota jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice. She turned to see that he had shouldered a leather pack, his golden eyes narrowed at his uncle. Iroh smiled good-naturedly, and opened his mouth to respond when a smooth, feminine voice sounded from the opposite side of the room.

"Hello, brother."

Zuko froze, and Iroh's eyes widened in surprise. Dakota turned to see a young girl standing in the doorway – she couldn't be more than fourteen years old. She was beautiful, with glossy black hair and ruby-red lips that gleamed in the light of the lamps. But even so, at the sight of her, Dakota felt a deep chill. It started at her toes and resonated through her body until it reached the back of her neck.

Danger, danger, something deep within her whispered.

"What are you doing here?" Zuko spat, and Dakota flinched at the harsh bitterness in his voice. It had been at least a month since Dakota had last heard Zuko speak with that much venom, and that put Dakota on guard immediately. This girl, whoever she was, was not to be trusted.

Zuko's sister smiled, a pitying smile, and sauntered over to the nearest table, seating herself with all the elegance of a cat waiting to pounce. Dakota shifted, her hands clenching at her sides. The urge to Firebend was strong, almost overwhelming. Iroh seemed to sense her unease, because he gave her elbow a gentle squeeze. He sent a small spark of heat into her skin, making her jump slightly. She shot him a look, and he smiled benignly. But his eyes were sharp, giving her the only warning he could without speaking aloud.

He didn't her to Firebend. That meant that Iroh didn't trust this girl, either, and that was the final confirmation Dakota needed. She smiled weakly back at him, and he released her elbow.

Dakota tried to relax; Iroh was here, he was a powerful Firebender…he would handle this. The heat under her skin flared once more, but then settled down inside of her chest, her hands unclenching.

"In my country we exchange a simple hello when greeting family…has exile caused you to forget common courtesy, Zu-zu?"

Zuko scowled deeply. "Don't call me that!"

The girl ignored her brother, and Dakota met her gaze as steadily as she could. At first glance, Azula's eyes appeared to be gold, but they weren't the same as her brother's. They were lighter, more yellow than gold. The color lent her an eerie air.

"So. This is the peasant that I've heard so much about. I have to say, you're nothing like I expected…" she drawled, and Dakota's hackles rose at the obvious disdain in her voice. Dakota held her head high, and refused to back down.

Iroh jumped in, then. "This is Dakota, my dear niece. Dakota, this is Princess Azula, Zuko's younger sister."

"Dakota…such an undignified name. But I suppose it fits," Azula quipped, her tone as false as her smile. Dakota found herself smiling more easily. This girl was obviously itching to get a rise out of her, but Dakota wasn't so easily irked. After spending months with the barbs Zuko threw, she found herself completely unaffected by Azula's insults.

Azula's smirk faded, replaced by a neutral expression that was somehow more sinister. Zuko shifted his weight, angling himself slightly. It was subtle, but it placed Dakota slightly behind him. Dakota blinked up at the teenager, her eyebrows arched in surprise. Was he…was he trying to shield her? No, that was silly. Dakota was just making something out of nothing, as usual.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Iroh asked placidly, and Azula scoffed, and picked up the red shell Dakota had been admiring earlier. In one sure movement, her sharp nails had pierced the shell, causing it to shatter. The sharp sound echoed in the room, and Azula quickly brushed her hands off on her sash.

"Always so eager to get to the point, Uncle. How predictable. Anyway, I'm here to relay a message from home. Father has decided that it would be best to have you home. There have been several plots to overthrow him, and as you know, family is the only thing a man can truly trust."

Dakota looked to Zuko, and saw the unadulterated shock there. His eyes – rich gold in the light of the sunset – were wide, and his shoulders slumped forward.

"He…he wants me home?"

"Father regrets your banishment, Zuko. He wants you home as soon as possible."

"Father regrets…?" Zuko breathed, his hand steadying himself on the table. Dakota glanced at Azula, and felt her heart sink. Azula was smiling down at Zuko, cruel victory carved into her expression.

Something was going on, Dakota could sense it. Azula was up to something. Dakota stole a quick look at Iroh. Iroh was frowning slightly, his golden eyes somber as he stared at his nephew. Azula cleared her throat.

"I can see that you need some time. I will call on you tomorrow morning, Zuko. Good evening."

With a final look at Dakota, the Fire Nation princess strode from the room. Dakota could hear the clang of her boots as she descended the stairs, and waited until the sound disappeared completely before daring to move. She knelt down to collect the pieces of the red shell, pouring them carefully onto the table.

Zuko was still staring down at his hands, and didn't react when Iroh moved forward to place a hand on his nephew's shoulder.

"Prince Zuko–"

But Zuko shrugged off his uncle's touch, and let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"I knew that Father cared, Uncle! It's unbelievable, I'm finally going home!"

Iroh sat down on the edge of the table, ignoring the chair that Azula had seated herself in. "It is unbelievable, Prince Zuko. It is very strange…my brother has never been known to regret anything."

Dakota leaned against the windowsill, unable to contribute to the exchange. They were talking about the current Fire Lord, right? Fire Lord Ozai?

"But you heard Azula, Uncle, Father's changed his mind! He wants me back home!"

"Be that as it may, I don't think that Ozai wants you back for the reason you think."

Zuko scowled, turning away from Iroh in a huff. "You don't know how Father feels about me, you don't know anything!"

"Zuko–" Dakota began, intent on defending the older Firebender, but Iroh raised a hand to silence her.

"I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem," Iroh said gently, reaching to touch Zuko's shoulder once more. Zuko flinched, and pushed Iroh's hand away.

Zuko turned, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but at the last second he caught Dakota's eye. His lips jammed shut, and without a word he stormed out of the small hut, slamming the door behind him. Dakota watched his figure descend the stairs and disappear into the inner pathway of the spa. She let her forehead rest against the windowsill, and turned at the sound of Iroh's saddened sigh.

"Iroh?" she asked, and Iroh's fingers lightly brushed across the pile of shattered shell pieces Dakota had deposited onto the table surface. They clicked together as he did so.

"Whenever I would visit my brother and his family during my time as a general, I would see the conflict in between Azula and Zuko. Their mother tried to mend the strife, but her efforts were in vain. One night, I was walking by Zuko's room, and I overheard a very spiteful encounter between the two. After Azula left, I heard Zuko saying one phrase over and over again. I think that Prince Zuko is so desperate to return home that he has forgotten it."

"What is it?"

Iroh looked up at Dakota, and let one hand grip the armrest of the chair Azula had been sitting in.

"Azula always lies."