"Seize him!"

The soldiers closed in on the five, while Team Avatar formed a protective circle around the man of interest. Long slim fingers ghosted over Riptide as dark green eyes narrowed at the soldiers surrounding him and the teens as he noticed an unspoken message between them.

The soldiers were afraid. But of what?

"General Sung," Aang called out, voice as commanding as a twelve-year-old-with-the-fate-of-the-world-on-his-shoulders could muster without allowing any hint of shock seeping through. "What is this?"

The General in question kept his finger pointed in Percy's direction, his glare never peeling off the taller figure. He had to fight back a strong urge to flinch when the jet black-haired figure returned the glare with his own menacing one.

"This man has been deemed a threat to Ba Sing Se!"

The declaration received several silent gasps and wide eyes as responses, but Aang schooled his confusion at the revelation. He needed to press for more information. None of his friend's actions was grounds for a reaction like this.

"He isn't a threat."

"Not to any of you anyway," Percy added rather chirpily, and the airbender glared at the man standing behind disbelievingly. Not helping.

Seeing the glare directed at him, Percy merely shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, his green eyes glinting in humour, and Aang almost rolled his eyes at the laid back attitude the man possessed despite the tense atmosphere everyone was in.

Maybe that's why Suki calls him 'Troublemaker', and Katara looked like she wants to roll her eyes at him every twenty seconds.

"Perhaps the word 'threat' would be a misuse of the term," General Sung contemplated, his fingers toying with the tail-end of his long moustache.

Percy couldn't stop the scoff under his breath. "Ya think?"

"'Person of Interest' would be more accurate," Sung stated immediately, unaware of the scoff Percy let out and the string of Greek curses (not that he knew was Greek) that followed.

Sea-green eyes rolled in amusement. "Now you sound like those super-secret government agencies."

"But," Aang stared sceptically at the hunched-back General, an eyebrow raised as he barely understood a single word Percy said apart from 'super-secret' which sounded super cool. "why?"

The face of the middle-aged man lit up, like he expected the question sooner or later as his head turned to look at the Avatar. "It's simple really. Your friend here..." He faltered slightly as he turned his attention back to the tall man behind Aang, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry, young man. I never got your name."

"Zhang," the name rolled out of Percy's tongue in a heartbeat, his expression as blank as he could whilst ignoring the aching body and annoyed feeling that's started to build. If they want to take him to some super-secret place so they could do whatever a super-secret government agency does to a 'Person-of-Interest', the least he could do is throw them off his trail as far as he could. As long as he gets out of this and into Ba Sing Se. Safely.

Three heads whirled around to look at their dual-non-bending-bender companion in shock, while Toph looked smug as she sensed the lie. The trio's faces conveyed the same question. Didn't he say his name was Percy? Why Zhang? Is his name Percy Zhang? or Zhang Percy?

Ignoring the bewildered glances he received from the three teens, Percy kept his eyes locked onto the General before him. He tried to put on a face as 'innocent' as he could, which given the narrowed eyes that were obviously filled with doubt meant that the display was nowhere near 'convincing'.

"Right..." Sung drawled. He definitely did not buy on the innocent face. "Mr Zhang right here possesses a few..." there's the hesitation whenever the 'eloquent' General attempts to find the correct word, "... abilities which are of concern."

"How can you say that?" Katara asked, feeling incredulous at the treatment that Percy was receiving. "Without P – Zhang, we probably wouldn't be able to save your Terra Team, or even take down the Drill so easily!"

"And for that the citizens of Ba Sing Se owe you all here our gratitude," General Sung spoke with finality in his tone, apparently unaware of the waterbender's close slip-up. "And for that, the four of you will be allowed into Ba Sing Se, and an accommodation will be provided for you."

"Four?" Sokka did the maths. It didn't add up, and that made him raise an eyebrow discontentedly. "If you really want to show your 'gratitude', then all five of us should be allowed into Ba Sing Se."

"Your friend's extraordinary ability to bend two elements –"

"I'm not a bender," Percy grumbled as he corrected on reflex, his tone childish but also laced with a hint of fatigue.

"– is unheard of, with the exception of the Avatar. And as far as we know, his earthbending –"

"Not bending," Percy repeated, sounding more amused than frustrated, "though I won't disagree that things tend to be exceptional around me," Katara stomped Percy's foot, and he promptly stopped his rambling.

"– is different from any earthbending. With the destruction that was left behind, –"

"So you guys don't trust me," Percy interjected and concluded for the general, his eyes narrowing into slits. He recalled a certain word being used not even three minutes ago. "That's why you see me as a threat, and are afraid of what might happen to Ba Sing Se with me around."

"Well, if you put it that way..."

Aang wasn't happy. Not one bit. He didn't even register General Sung's look of concern as the general tried to find a different way to phrase his words as the avatar's vision started to tunnel. Percy had helped them. Despite evidently having a tense conversation with Katara earlier (he intends to find out the contents of it), and could have just entered Ba Sing Se with Ying and her family while leaving Team Avatar – yes, Sokka's name for the team is catching on – to deal with the Drill alone.

But he didn't do that.

Instead, the man – who everyone met just a day ago, albeit bizarrely and even started off the wrong foot (Aang realizes he probably owes Percy an apology later) – had volunteered to play the role of a distraction to allow Aang and his team to both save the Terra Team and formulate a plan. Exactly like Katara tried to argue, he was vital to stopping the Drill.

He even fought off Azula, for crying out loud!

"No," Aang insisted. "He may be strong but that's not how you should treat him. I contain a level of power that is similar to his, but you don't see me as a threat. He should be able to come with us freely."

General Sung let out a tired sigh. "That's because you are the Avatar. Also, this pertains to the security of Ba Sing Se. Someone as young as you may not –"

"So you're just afraid of what you don't understand," Percy interjected, realizing the point Sung was trying to make. For the life of him, Aang couldn't understand why Percy had a ghost of a smile forming on his lips. That, or the sunset was playing tricks on his eyes. "That's why you want to 'seize' me. So you could keep your eyes on me all the time."

"That isn't what I –"

"That's exactly what you're implying and you know it," Percy raised a challenging eyebrow at the General, daring him to deny the allegation while ignoring the looks of realization that dawned on the faces of Team Avatar when they caught up with his thinking process. Whatever hint of a smile that Percy may have had was gone. His facial features had hardened. "This conversation is pointless. It's full of schist."

The surrounding soldiers did not take that last statement from the man they are supposed to seize particularly well. Their shoulders tensed and their knuckles turned white from either gripping their weapons or clenching their fist much, much tighter.

Aang had to admit, Percy wasn't wrong. They aren't going anywhere at this rate. The Earth Kingdom soldiers seem adamant about taking Percy in by force, and Team Avatar wouldn't allow their newest companion to be taken away. It was a stalemate.

For Percy, even the conversation with Katara before they learnt about the Drill felt more productive.

General Sung looked offended at the remark, and opened his mouth to speak. "Now, look young man -"

"No, you look, General" Percy cut the General off, disregarding the reprimanding tone that the older man had used as he nearly spat at the military title. He placed a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder, startling the airbender slightly with the gesture. "I don't need the Avatar pleading for my freedom. In fact, he doesn't need to. I'm not going with you."

He stalked up towards the senior official, who couldn't fight back the urge to flinch anymore when he saw the threatening glare directed at him.

"I don't blame you for being afraid of me. Hades, I so used to be on the receiving end of that, I'm practically immune to it by now," he started rambling, face softening slightly as if recalling a memory, before hardening again. "But last I checked, you got your ass handed to you on a plate earlier before Aang stepped in. So, the least you owe him is some dam respect."

Most soldiers backed away at the sight, while some tensed further, moving protectively closer towards General Sung.

"I got news for you. My 'earthbending'," he made air signs at the word as he slowly and painstakingly closed the distance. "Comes from a lineage called 'Earthshaker'. Ever wondered why's that?"

Percy towered over the general, an unreadable glint in his green eyes that had taken up an unnatural shade. The back of General Sung's mind kept ringing We're doomed! Run! We're doomed! Run!

Aang thought he was imagining it, but the looks on the rest of Team Avatar's faces, including Toph's uncharacteristic wide eyes, and the Earth Kingdom soldiers meant something was up. The Outer Wall is definitely shaking. And they could easily guess the source of it.

(Down below, two fox antelopes jumped at the sudden shaking of the soil they stood on, their heads perking as they looked around in confusion. Near one of the paddy fields, a farmer looked perplexed at the sight of both the canals and acres stagnant water which flooded the land to supplement the crops shaking violently. Stagnant water should stay still. Stagnant. He rubbed his eyes and called for his wife, saying that he needed a drink.)

Aang could only see Percy's back, but he was definitely able to make out through the charred shirt the inexplicably hard lines on his back, and the tension on his broad shoulders.

Five painful seconds passed, and the shaking stopped when Percy took a deep breath. The tension never left his body, however.

"Also, I'm tired as Hades. But I'd like to see you try and take me in, " Percy growled challengingly. " Really, humour me."

Team Avatar's eyes widened at the display, sans Toph who for some reason was now wearing an unfamiliar expression. The message was clear for all to hear.

Try taking me against my will and you'll have the Percy-Kicks-Ass: Very Painful Edition experience.

oOo

"I can't believe Sung actually said that!" Sokka threw his hands in the air. Toph, who was sitting closest to the Water Tribesman, scooted away from the tirade of flailing arms despite the large space separating them.

Aang was massaging his sore shoulder, sitting on the green bench opposite them while remaining quiet in the passenger car made of stone. Well, as quiet as one could with a grumpy teenage boy named Sokka who was living up to his name as the 'Complaining Guy'.

Katara, who was trying to rub a sore spot on her back, threw an incredulous look at Sokka when several eyes turned to them at the sudden outburst. "Could you tone it down, Sokka?" She didn't bother to correct her brother's mention of the general without the title – well, 'General'.

Sokka returned the look with an exasperated one of his own, but it seemed more dramatic and exaggerated none of them knew if they could take him seriously. "I mean, they could at least be nice about it."

Blue eyes rolled at her brother's complaints. "They are, Sokka. That's why they're letting all of us into Ba Sing Se. After letting us get some needed rest, mind you."

Following Percy's show of defiance towards the Earth Kingdom soldiers, General Sung had agreed – albeit hesitantly, and grudgingly – to allow the 'dual bender' into the city with Team Avatar.

Of course, that incident happened the previous day, and given that the sun had set during that time, General Sung had ordered that arrangements for accommodation in the Upper Ring be made for the Avatar and his friends – though Percy had outright declined, stating he was here to make sure two people he knew arrived safely. Instead, he requested to know where the refugees that arrived the same day were located. One of the soldiers was dispatched to find out the location, and returned two hours later with the requested information.

The general even prepared a quick stay for the night at the barracks, along with dinner for their 'esteemed guests'. Though it wasn't lavish per se, it was enough to feed the five 'heroes' and the rest of the soldiers stationed at the Outer Wall.

They even got a more presentable, newer looking set of clothes for Percy after noticing the one he wore had charred holes. Katara felt a slight sense of satisfaction at this show of hospitality by the Earth Kingdom.

Despite that, Sokka threw his hands in the air. "Well, they didn't need to go through all that fuss about it!"

The Water Tribesman was not satisfied when he learnt the soldiers had searched Percy before he could change, trying to find his strange sword which was somehow not on him. The only things they found were a weird blue folded leather case and a short blue stick with unrecognizable engravings on it.

They tried searching him again after he changed.

Right before they sat down to eat. After they ate.

Every time, they only found the two items on the dark-haired man, who claimed ownership over both strange pieces.

They even searched him before the quintet called it a night and went to bed, prompting Percy to roll his eyes and ask them a question which threw the two soldiers searching him off.

"Do you want me to declare anything? Because I have something to declare. I declare this is stupid."

Sokka would have laughed at Percy's tone and look if he wasn't sharing the feeling of annoyance.

Katara absently rubbed the back of her neck as she thought back to the events the night before. Despite a night's worth of rest, the waterbender felt her body protest and ache at her to go back to sleep when the sun came up. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Toph beat her to it.

"Funny how you're the one complaining but the one who was the centre of the fuss, didn't. Did you start taking cactus juice again? Because I'm sure he did."

Sokka wanted to retort, but closed his mouth when he realized Toph was also referring to Percy. His eyes darted over to their newest friend, who was erratically drumming his fingers on the green bench and bouncing his legs on the balls of his feet. Green eyes were scanning every other passenger as if trying to spot a threat.

He looked nervous.

"Will you stop that?!" Toph snapped at Percy. "Sokka's stomping was loud, obnoxious and deafening, but your fidgeting is just persistently on the verge of annoying!"

A soft, confused "what?" escaped the demigod's lips as he brought his attention to the earthbender, unaware of Sokka's indignant protest that he wasn't 'loud or obnoxious', nor does he 'stomp'. When he remembered Toph's 'Seismic Sense', he started scratching the back of his ear.

"Sorry," the grin on his face was sheepish, and Katara thought he looked like the kids in her village when they were caught trying to eat on the sly. The waterbender tilted her head back, and paced a hand on Aang's shoulder when she saw the tall structure of earth.

"Look! The inner wall!"

Everyone turned their heads to the front of the carriage to see another hundred-meter wall identical to the Outer Wall. A smile was etched on Katara's face. "I can't believe we made it into the inner wall in one piece."

"Hey! Don't jinx it!" Sokka raised a finger at Katara, trying to silence her from a distance. "We can still be attacked by some giant exploding Fire Nation spoon. Or find out the city's been submerged in an ocean full of killer shrimp!"

"Oh great, Shrimpzilla. Yay." Percy deadpanned. Sokka didn't hear the lack of enthusiasm and immediately took that as a sign of being backed up.

"See? Percy agrees with me!"

"Now, I'm definitely sure the both of you were hitting cactus juice," the blind earthbender drawled out in annoyance.

Percy wanted to ask Toph about her deal with cactus juice when Katara added her two cents. "Sokka, can you stop being a bad influence on people?"

The teen ignored his sister's remark and raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just sayin', weird stuff happens to us."

Percy chuckled at that, recalling his demigod-luck (which was non-existent to downright bad) during his quest days. The fond ghost of a smile on his face dropped as fast as it appeared when a man in worn-out, baggy green clothes walked in their direction, sucking a corn plant in his mouth. He plopped right between Sokka and Toph, unaware of the uneasy looks that the two had.

Sokka pinched his nose and started making fanning motions with his free hand at picking up the stench the man emitted, while Toph scrunched her nose.

Sea-green eyes remained fixated on the man, causing him to shift uneasily under the scrutiny of two orbs that looked like they were burning holes through his skull. Not even five seconds later, the man got up and picked another seat far away from the group, much to the relief of two very grateful teens. The hearty laughter of four teenagers filled the carriage, while the oldest smiled amusedly at the scene.

"Gee, remind me not to get on your bad side," Sokka said after controlling his laughing fit. "Now I know why you said people are afraid of you."

The laughter stopped completely, giving way to awkward silence that loomed over the group following the older teen's slip-up.

Katara wanted to glare at her brother, but at the edge of her vision saw Aang looking out the window again, his face crestfallen. She focused on cheering the airbender up first. "Don't worry Aang, we'll find Appa."

"It's such a big city," he protested, voice filled with doubt that Katara was reminded once again that this person, who was entrusted with the fate of the world, was none other than a twelve-year-old kid.

Sokka voiced his thoughts as he walked over to the pair. "It's a giant bison, where could someone possibly hide him?"

oOo

"Oh..." It was the third time Sokka uttered that, and Percy contemplated pinching Sokka to get the teen out of his trance.

"I must be dreaming. Someone pinch me," the teen muttered under his breath as they disembarked from the monorail at the monorail station. A smirk formed on the demigod's lips. He could do better.

Sokka was still enchanted by the city that spanned further than his eyes can see. Ba Sing Se was lined with houses and streets, all of which were bigger than the tents that housed the Southern Water Tribe. Just the east side of the monorail station could house about hundreds of his villages, even then the Water Tribesman was certain there was more room to spare.

His sense suddenly stung cold, and his skin felt wet, snapping Sokka out of his daze. Eyes darted down to see his clothes drenched, before his ears heard the sound of stifled laughter. Turning his head in that direction, he saw Percy's lips trying hard to hold back a smile, and green eyes that shone with mirth.

The guy drenched him in water. Coldwater. It smells like the ocean.

"Pinch! I said pinch!" Sokka exclaimed, his mind not registering the question as to where the group's 'dual bender' had retrieved water that smells like the ocean.

Two hands raised in surrender as Percy could no longer suppress his laugh, and let out a heartfelt cackle. It took about two seconds – which to the 'Complaining Guy' felt like forever – for Percy to steady himself and the man placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder, muttering his apologies. Though Sokka was certain he wasn't exactly sorry about anything.

Immediately, Sokka could feel the water travelling down his body and clothes until they touched the ground. The water evaporated immediately. Sokka could only stare in awe. "Woah."

Toph, unaware of the exchange between the travelling group's two oldest members, let out a disappointed sigh. "Back in the city. Great."

Katara snapped her head around, face filled with excitement. "What do you mean? This place looks amazing!"

Momo landed on the earthbender's shoulder, purring satisfactorily as the girl started scratching the lemur's chin. Toph let out another tired sigh. "It's just a bunch of walls and rules. You wait, you'll get sick of it in a couple of days."

Aang stood away from the group, near the edge of the station. He stared down at his palm, which held a white whistle the shape of a four-legged bison. It even had two horns on it.

The Avatar placed the whistle into his mouth and blew out as hard as his lungs allowed him to without breaking the wooden instrument. A soft, low tune was emitted from it. Grey eyes scanned the blue sky, hoping to see his closest friend appear and join him.

Nothing appeared out of thin air, just white clouds littering the sky. Aang tightened his grip on the whistle. "I'm coming for you, buddy."

A hand on his shoulder had Aang raising his head, hoping to see Katara encouraging him. Instead, he met green eyes. "Your friend, Appa," Percy spoke, all signs of mischief from earlier evaporated. His voice was soft, a complete contrast to the brazen individual who defied General Sung the previous day. "He a huge white furry creature, with six legs and horns on his head? He could fly? "

Aang's eyes widened into saucers. As far as he knew, Appa was the last Sky Bison. It was thought that the species was extinct following the Air Nomad Genocide a hundred years ago, and not many had been able to see one. "How -"

Percy's eyes narrowed and chest tightened. The demigod recalled the dream he had the night before. A six-legged creature with curved horns that looked way too identical to the creature that he saw in his dream of Toph holding up a building to be a separate animal. On any other day, he would have thought Appa a monster, but the being looked so gentle it reminded him of Mrs O'Leary. Gods, what's that girl up to lately?

His latest dream had shown him a dark alleyway. Nothing much could be seen apart from the street lit dimly by the moonlight. The fluffy creature appeared shortly after, landing on the streets with much grace. But even in the dark, it was clear its fur was dirty and messy. It took a step back and growled at a figure that he couldn't see in his vision. He didn't even get to see the outcome as his dream ended abruptly, waking him earlier than the teens.

"He's here." Percy stated plainly, unwilling to divulge 'how' he knew about Appa.

"Another thing," his eyes darted down towards the whistle in Aang's hand. The soft, low tune he heard in his dream was the exact same tune that Aang's whistle had emitted. That could only mean... "There's someone else who has the same whistle as you. Don't ask. I just know."

Two people knowing about his otherworldly, demigod heritage was enough. Explaining it to the Avatar would probably be tricky, if Zuko's reaction was a proper gauge.

Aang found his throat catching any word he wanted to say. Instead, he could only respond with a nod. Seemingly satisfied, Percy's troublemaker smile returned. "Alright, kid. Guess this is where we part. You're here for a reason, right? I gotta check out on the people I promised to meet here."

The statement caught the young Avatar by surprise. Before he could protest, or say goodbye, Percy had disappeared into the crowd. The sound of feet shuffling caught Aang's attention, and he turned around to see Katara and Sokka staring at him, while Toph continued scratching Momo's chin.

"Aang, where's Percy?"

Before he could answer Katara's question, he caught sight of a girl walking towards them. She carried herself with an air of friendliness. As she stopped right in front of them, Aang felt somewhat unnerved by the face-splitting smile that she wore.

"Hello, my name is Joo Dee," she greeted, giving the Avatar chills as she was able to keep the smile on her face from faltering. "I have been given the honour of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se."

As she started naming his three present friends, a part of Aang's mind started to think that maybe he should have asked to join Percy. Just to get away from this over-friendly 'Joo Dee'.

Then again, he and his friends were in Ba Sing Se for a reason.

To end the war.

oOo

Green eyes the shade of the sea squinted as the midmorning sun shone into his face and bathed his skin. Getting away from Team Avatar was easier than he thought, especially after he had refused General Sung's offer to stay in the Upper Ring. Based on the name, that's probably not where refugees would stay. So he won't be able to find Zuko nor Iroh there.

Recalling the exact directions the soldier had given him the night before, he set off.

About two hours of walking past identical-looking rundown buildings and streets later, Percy found himself standing in a much less shabby market. He started scanning the busy streets, trying to identify any signs of monsters in the midst of the crowd, purely out of habit.

The sight of oriental designed buildings reminded Percy that he was far away from any mythical beasts trying to kill him.

And far away from home.

Before he could start indulging in his less positive thoughts, his eyes landed on a pair consisting of a teen with crew cut hair and an elderly man who was bald at the crown. Even from a distance, he could make out the red scar on the teen's face, and he also noticed the rather large vase of flowers the old man was carrying. He felt his lips curve up, and allowed his long legs to carry him towards the duo.

As he closed in on them, the son of Poseidon realized that the boy sported a dark wood brown shirt, while the man's was moss green. He even heard part of their conversation.

"I just wanted our place to look nice," the man said as he raised his vase slightly, before he nudged the teen. "In case someone brings home a lady friend."

The teen shook his head. "This city is a prison. I don't wanna make a life here."

"Actually, this city reminds me of that one anime my sister wanted to watch. Are we sure the walls are meant for something big?" Percy joined in, taking amusement at the teen jumping before whirling around to show angry gold eyes. "But mom never approved. 'Too young', she said." His eyes landed on the teen, a smirk still on his face. "Besides, I doubt you ever had a life, Batman."

Zuko continued glaring at the demigod, ignoring the ramble and weird nickname given to him, while Iroh turned around with a smile on his face, his arm still hugging the vase. "You made it!"

Percy's smile turned sheepish, and he started rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, had to take a detour."

"I thought you said you'll find a way. And you'll be faster than us."

Percy almost rolled his eyes at the exiled-Prince, but dropped his smile when he saw a figure poking his head out in the corner of his vision. Despite hiding in the shadows, Percy could see the bushy hair that the figure had.

Zuko caught the change in demeanour, and narrowed his gold eyes at the towering man's scowling face. "What? Saw one of your monsters?"

Let it be known Prince Zuko still does not believe a word Percy said about his waterbending ability, and stands by his belief that the person he saved had lost his mind in the storm.

Maybe he was crazy from the start.

Green eyes darted to meet gold, and Zuko almost shuddered at the sight of the stare Percy had. It was indistinguishable from that of a wolf.

Almost.

The lopsided smile that the firebender had come to associate with his newest – and irritating (and unwilling. And unnecessary) – companion returned, but even with his scarred eye Zuko was able to see that the corner of Percy's lips did not reach his eyes.

"Force of habit," the black-haired man waved off. He turned to look at Iroh. "You guys settled down here yet?"

Zuko was sure that Iroh's smile widened. "Indeed." The former general gestured for everyone to continue walking, which the other two complied willingly. "I even found jobs for the both of us. There is another vacancy if I remember correctly."

*whispers* I gotta admit tho, this was harder to write than I expected.

So that wraps up chapter 10 of Flames of Destiny. Everyone is now in Ba Sing Se. Percy splits from Team Avatar. The Team meets Joo Dee, and Percy reunites with Zuko and Iroh. Maybeee his reunion sounded fast, but I imagined that Pao's tea shop won't be at the very end of Ba Sing Se's Lower Ring. Just somewhere new, probably in the middle or something. The cartoon never specified soooooo... *smiles cunningly. just not azula cunning. More 'sokka and aang has a stupid bad idea' cunning*

Also, the next chapter will cover a few bases. Well, not much. Maybe one or two (Read: City of Walls and Secrets and maybe Tales of Ba Sing Se. not all though). it really depends on how much I can stuff into it without making it too compact and overwhelming.

Or too fast. We want fast. just not that fast. *insert The Office joke here*