Prologue
The class quieted as the teacher entered the room. The tall, thin woman had long straight black hair and long white robes, and looked onto the classroom with an air of authority. Students tripped over each other in a mad rush to their desks, kneeling down in front of them. Soon, the imposing woman had 50 sets of brown, gray and copper coloured eyes on her. The eyes, belonging to the 10 year olds which she stood in front of were now waiting patiently for her to start the lesson. After a short greeting, class was ready to begin.
The lesson began normally, but eventually the sounds of the teacher's voice became incomprehensible to a certain set of ears sitting in the congregation of students on the floor. Other things were on that mind; worries, dreams, stories… a mess of incomprehensible thoughts composed of anything but the topic being covered in class. Her fingers laced absentmindedly through her long auburn hair, making loose braids.
"Who can tell me the most significant problem we face in our city?"
Hands shot up all over the room. It was an easy question.
That was when Kotone remembered; she had to be paying attention. She tentatively brought up her own hand, but it was too late.
The teacher chose a girl with long blonde hair and bangs sitting in the third row. Her copper eyes sparkled as she answered confidently, "Overpopulation."
Kotone cursed herself internally. She shouldn't be letting her mind wander in any class if she wanted to keep up the performance she needed, most of all in this class. Cultural Studies was the area she was expected to absolutely excel at, and even if she found it difficult and ultimately uninteresting, she had to put in the effort. Nothing less than the best would be expected from her.
The teacher nodded in approval at the girl. "That is correct, and an important word for all of you to know. Overpopulation is an issue that all of us face daily. All of you will contribute to resolving this problem in the jobs you will have in the future." She looked out among the crowd, scanning for one face in particular. Her eyes locked on Kotone's as she said with a slight smile, "Some of us more than others."
Kotone sat up a bit straighter and fixed her expression as the teacher went on, trying desperately to pay attention. She wished that this interested her like it did some of the other students in her class, who were excited to finally be covering this highly anticipated topic today. It would make her life so much easier.
Class went on for a little bit longer before it was interrupted by a slight rap on the door. She turned her attention to the noise as a clean-cut young man peeked his head in sheepishly, before coming all the way in. He had the look of a Cultural Affairs apprentice, with long, fitted green robes and a look of ambition in his eye.
"I apologise for the interruption." He said to the teacher. "I am looking for the Keeper's daughter."
All eyes went to Kotone as she sheepishly stood up and walked over to the man, trying to ignore the room full of eyes fixated on her. Nobody said anything as the two of them left the room together. Kotone could hear the lesson being continued as soon as the door had been shut.
Kotone did not know this man; she did not have anything to make small talk about. But she couldn't help feeling awkward when the two of them walked along the school's long, dreary hallways in silence. She figured that if she were her sister, the two of them would be best friends instantly. Aya had a rare charm that allowed her to make friends with anyone at a moment's notice.
Finally Kotone thought of something that needed to be addressed; it was convenient, however, that it also served to break this deafeningly loud silence.
"Is everything alright?" she asked the young man. "I'm not usually taken out of school during the day."
The man chose not to look down at her, keeping up his professional persona. He answered, with purpose, "Your Father has something important to discuss with you, and needed to see you right away. I don't know the details."
"Will Aya be there?" Kotone asked. She always looked forward to opportunities to see her younger sister.
"Yes, someone else has been sent to retrieve her from her bending lesson."
Kotone smiled to herself. Being taken out of class and getting her family. It was a good day.
After a few minutes the two of them passed the administrative wing of the school and reached the front entrance. There was a man watching the door, but he opened the door for them without question when he saw Kotone. Not many students got to leave the school as often as she did, so the doormen were quite familiar with her face. The door unlocked with a slight click, and suddenly it felt like Kotone had been transported into another world. The sun was bright that day, apparently, so she had to shield her eyes as they adjusted. The cool wind blew on her face and carried her uniform's white cotton fabric. She took a deep breath of the good, fresh air and felt invigorated.
The pair walked down the narrow dirt road, headed towards the large, red stone pyramid that dominated the cityscape. It was by far the prettiest thing in the city; the rest of Kotone's vision was assaulted with tall, drab, windowless stone buildings and empty dirt roads. The sun shone brightly in the horizon, however, and the sky was a beautiful blue colour, with only a few clouds that day. Kotone noted, as she always did, how badly the city clashed with its beautiful surroundings. It was not an uncommon opinion; the same complaint sat in the heads of every other resident of the cramped island. Anyone old enough to remember a time when it was different would ache with nostalgia for how things used to be.
Soon the roads began to fill with people. As they got closer to the centre pyramid, busy looking adults began crowding the streets, going about their business. At first it was only a few at a time, but the crowds only increased as they came closer to the pyramid. Men and women of all respects were busy with something. Kotone noted the Regional Affairs workers with their practical blue worksuits, the Foreign Affairs workers in their stately looking red armoured uniforms, and the Cultural Affairs workers who looked much like her companion did. Every once in a while she would catch sight of a Spiritual Affairs worker in the flowing yellow robes, but they were few and far between in the sea of blue, red and green. As they got close to the front entrance of the massive red building, the young man grabbed her shoulder and guided her through the thickening crowd, eliminating the risk of becoming separated. He then forced the pair of them through the giant open door of the pyramid. The entrance area inside was even worse. The room, built with red sandstone and highlighted with gold accents, was probably very beautiful, but Kotone had never seen it when it wasn't stuffed to the brim with people. The man kept a firm grip on her as they worked their way through the crowds and towards the Cultural Affairs quadrant. Eventually the crowd began to die down as they broke away from the main area of the pyramid. Now, as they walked down the narrow hallway, they passed only the odd Cultural Affairs worker, who were busily going in and out of the many doors on either side of the hall. Kotone's companion released his grip on her shoulder and the two of them resumed walking side by side in silence.
At the end of the hallway, the two of them came to a door. The young man opened it and allowed Kotone to walk through first. She was then greeted by a familiar room; an orderly office occupied by two young women in green, working at desks. One of them, the older of the two, had long, straight black hair, sharp features and spectacles, and appeared to be in her thirties. The other, only a few years younger, had a round face and bright blue eyes that always sparkled. They smiled at Kotone as she walked in; she was known very well around here. Kotone returned the smile. She knew them both well.
"The Keeper's daughter has arrived," Kotone's companion spoke with a sigh, obviously relieved at having gotten her there in one piece through the afternoon rush.
"As it appears." The older of the two answered with only a touch of sarcasm. "Thank you, Jampo. You are dismissed." He did a slight bow and exited the room. The woman then turned to Kotone. "Your father and sister are waiting for you. You may go in." Kotone did a small bow of her own and opened the door into her father's office; the office of the Keeper of Cultural Affairs.
The scene she was greeted with made Kotone smile. Aya was sitting on the Keeper's lap. The golden-haired six-year-old appeared to be talking to her father about something… Kotone couldn't make out what it was, her sister's words being slurred by excitement. Kotone snuck in, and allowed the door to close with a soft click behind her. The attention of her family turned towards her with the noise.
Aya immediately jumped off her father's lap, her copper eyes shimmering in excitement. "Kotone!" she squealed, running over to her sister and jumping into her arms in a hug. Kotone hugged back. Their father smiled at the scene.
"You've arrived," her father stated simply, with a smile Kotone's father was a kind looking man. His golden blond hair, touched by only the slightest bit of grey, was slicked back. He had dark circles under his copper eyes, and he had more wrinkles on his face than a man his age should. Kotone often worried that he worked too hard. His job wasn't an easy one.
She managed to get out of Aya's grasp and went over to go give her father a hug. "Father." She greeted as they pulled away from each other. Her tone, as formal as it tried to be, was betrayed by the elated expression on her face. It was a long-awaited reuinion.
"It's been too long." He replied. His daughters nodded.
Suddenly, curiosity took over and Kotone asked what she had been wondering since she had been taken out of class.
"Father, why have you sent for us today?" she asked. "It's not usual for you to take us out of school during the day." Aya nodded, and leant onto her father's lap, eyes looking up at his own, sparkling with curiosity.
The Keeper was suddenly brought out of the happy family reunion. His eyes flashed with anxiety for just a moment, but he kept his composure, addressing his daughters calmly.
"What I have to tell you is much more important than classes." He answered.
"Even bending lessons?" Aya asked with an innocently.
"Even bending lessons." At this, Kotone looked at her father with concern in her eyes. This had never happened before. What could have been the problem?
Her father sighed, noticing his older daughter's expression. He began his much needed explanation.
"What do the both of you know about the situation in Ba Sing Se at the moment?"
Aya blinked, the words foreign to her. She looked to her big sister for help.
Kotone was unsure where her father was going with this. "Ba Sing Se is one of the last Earth Kingdom strongholds against the Fire Nation. It houses many refugees from all over the war-torn nation." She answered, mimicking her Foreign Affairs teacher's lessons verbatim.
The Keeper nodded, smiling slightly at the clear parroting. "Precisely." He replied. "The reason I have brought you both here is because of the most recent predictions that come from the desk of the Guardian." Kotone was confused. She knew that the department of Foreign Affairs were responsible for making predictions on the state of the outside world, but she could not think of how these predictions would affect her and her sister.
He continued. "The department of Foreign Affairs believes that within a few months, Omashu will fall to the Fire Nation, and Ba Sing Se will become the last Earth Kingdom stronghold. They also believe that by the end of the year, the same will happen to Ba Sing Se, meaning the Earth Kingdom will dissolve, and the Fire Nation will have taken it over completely."
Kotone was shocked. One of the four nations, just… ceasing to exist? It didn't seem right to her.
"Why, Papa?" Aya asked with a serious expression on her face. "Why is the Earth Kingdom going to be taken over?" Aya could be very perceptive when it was required of her. She also had a great fascination for the 4 Nations, especially the Earth Kingdom.
"A great comet will come at the end of the summer." The Keeper replied soberly. "It will enhance the firebenders' powers greatly, and it is believed that they will use this advantage to take out the Earth Kingdom once and for all."
Kotone's face hardened. "Sozin's Comet." She stated, remembering the name from her lessons.
The Keeper nodded. "Yes. The same comet that Firelord Sozin used to destroy the Air Nation a hundred years ago."
This was definitely shocking news. A Nation that had already destroyed a whole race of people was now aiming to take over another. But Kotone was still confused. What did this have to do with her and Aya?
"Father," she said, being frank, "what does this have to do with Aya and I?"
Her father nodded. This was the transition he needed to tell them why he had really brought them here.
"It is true that this will not affect our own city, but it does raise a problem." He answered. "It is customary for those wishing to enter the field of Cultural Affairs to tour the nations of the world, particularly those who expect to become the next Keeper." He looked at Kotone as he said this. "This tour includes Ba Sing Se, as it is an excellent example of many parts of Earth Kingdom culture."
Kotone was finally starting to realise where he was going with this. "If Ba Sing Se falls, then it will be impossible to experience the city as it is right now. What's more, the unrest in the city following the fall would most likely make it unsafe." He continued. "Therefore, if the two of you are ever to experience the city, it cannot wait until you are older. You must go now."
Kotone was shocked. Usually citizens were not allowed to see the rest of the world until they were 16 and had the proper training. Her father wanted to send two children?
Aya was shocked as well. "You mean we're leaving Su Ren?" she asked with a tone serious beyond her years. Kotone never liked seeing Aya when she was serious. The girl was always so bubbly; it was hard seeing her have to act older than she was. But sometimes Kotone felt that Aya was more mature than she herself was.
Her father nodded, his expression blank. "Yes. You will be leaving tomorrow at dawn."
"Tomorrow?!" Kotone blurted out, outraged. She could not believe this was happening. Not even an hour ago she was sitting in a classroom like everyone else her age. And now she had to leave Su Ren?
Her father looked upset at her distress, but kept his cool regardless. "Yes."
Kotone calmed down a bit at her father's composure, or at least did her best to hide her emotions. "Will we be going alone?"
"You will have an escort to take you Ba Sing Se, but when you arrive you be settled into a boarding school and left on your own."
"A boarding school?" Aya asked. Kotone could not tell what emotions Aya was feeling at the moment. Her face was the picture of calm and collected.
"Yes. There is a school in the lower ring that houses children of soldiers currently fighting in the war, and some orphans as well. You will be staying there, posing as Earth Kingdom children whose parents were lost to the war." Their father answered.
"The lower ring?" Kotone asked. She knew from her studies that the lower ring held the poorest residents of Ba Sing Se. Surely not the place for two children to be dropped off and left to their own device.
Her father nodded. "The best way to understand the politics of a city is from the bottom. You will have plenty of opportunities to explore and learn how the city works with as little censoring as possible." At seeing Kotone's distress, he continued, "One of the teachers at this particular school has been stationed there by Foreign Affairs, one of many meant to keep an eye on the goings-on in the city. She will be there to help you and be sure you are kept safe."
This made Kotone feel a lot better. At least they wouldn't be completely alone.
"Will we be able to bend?" Aya asked, a question that Kotone had not even considered until now.
Their father's expression hardened. "No." he said sternly. "Absolutely never are you permitted to bend while outside of the city limits. This particular school is for non-benders, so you will not feel out of place."
"Won't our training suffer?" Kotone asked. She was behind in her bending already, she could not afford the time spent not practicing.
"Yes," her father answered, "but it can be made up when you return. You will only be gone for 6 months."
6 months. That was a lifetime to be away from a place that Kotone had never even seen outside of.
"I am also required to remind you that you are required to keep the sacred secret while you are gone. You are never to speak of Su Ren."
"Yes, we know that." Kotone answered. As if it hadn't been drilled into their heads their entire lives.
The Keeper sighed deeply, scanning his daughters up and down. "The two of you will be permitted to stay here for the night until your departure."
They both nodded bravely.
"I'll miss you, Papa." Aya said with tears in her eyes, the first bit of emotion she had shown in the entire encounter. The Keeper's expression softened immediately, as tears began to form in his own. He brought his daughters into a hug.
"I'll miss you as well."
As they pulled away from each other, he turned to his oldest daughter.
"I trust you to keep you and your sister safe. I trust you, Kotone."
Kotone stood up straight and nodded seriously. The fate of the city on her shoulders since birth, she had been expected to grow up quickly. She was mature enough now to handle anything. At least… she thought so.
"I won't let you down."