Fanfic in original is completed. You can read it at ficbook site (rus "История из Ба Синг Се", author Shaira).
Author: Shaira (Rus)
Translator: FrostBite (Rus)/Yuon (Rus)
Main Characters/Ships: Zuko/Katara, Jet/Katara, Jin/Zuko
Genre: Get, Angst, Drama, Action, Psychology, AU
Size: Max ~182 pg
Number of Chapters: 40
The original Russian text was translated by "Manga and Fanfiction Sector" (FrostBite/Yuon)
Zuko was looking through the car window at the city. In comparison with the Ba Sing Se, the capital of the Fire Country was a pitiful village. The wide streets swept past, they were lined with hundreds of houses made of gray stone with dark green and brown roofs. Many parts of the city were surrounded by green gardens and parks. High walls like the scars ran through the metropolis. Their jagged lines snaked between the buildings, dividing the city into separate areas. Yeah, this is the best place to get lost, and what are the chances of finding someone who can remember you in this enormous city?
Iroh was watching his nephew with feigned indifference. He didn't like the changes that have happened to Zuko in last weeks, after he found him in the town of Tu Zin. It seemed that the prince gave up. It seemed like his inner fire, which didn't allow him to stop achieving his goal for so many years, which constantly forced him to move forward, has extinguished. But now…Iroh didn't know what had happened with his nephew, when he had been traveling in Earth Kingdom alone, following his decision to go his own way without uncle. Zuko didn't tell Iroh anything, and Iroh, as always, didn't ask, cause he knew that it is meaningless. If his nephew didn't want to say something he would never say it. Nevertheless, the fact remained that Zuko gave up. He almost unquestioningly agreed with all that uncle said, agreed to lay low, agreed to go to Ba Sing Se for an indefinite period. On the one hand it was certainly very good: in the past, it required to spend a lot of nerves to convince his nephew to agree with anything. But, on the other hand ... Iroh didn't want to see him like this.
The train finally started to slow down approaching the station. Zuko was very angry: they spent many hours at the station, waiting for registration and for the train, and indeed the trip took a lot of time. Plus, there's an unfortunate incident with tea ... It was like Jet noticed something. Or maybe not. In any case, they need to be more careful if they do not want to be in the hands of the authorities of the Earth Kingdom. It is unlikely that they will be lenient, if somebody figures out their personalities. No conquest of fire. Nowhere. Zuko almost growled in frustration. That's great! What an interesting, rich life which awaits him!
Composition finally stopped and they came out with his uncle on a platform. On the platform, in addition to the visitors, there were quite a number of guards. They were dressed in exactly the same uniform as the guards at the Full Moon Bay. Most of them were armed, indicating that they are not benders. One of the law enforcement officers went to him and Zuko tensed involuntarily, by all means trying to keep on his face impassive expression.
"Welcome to Ba Sing Se," a man welcomed them, so Iroh and Zuko replied with slight bow "Go through this gate," he pointed to the direction of hand "you come to the registration desk. There you will be given information about our city, as well as help to find housing that you can rent. Welcome" guard finished his memorized speech and went to another group of refugees.
"Come on, nephew." he gestured his hand and went to the gate. Zuko slowly followed him. His attention was drawn to a woman standing a little apart, she different from other guards. She was dressed in expensive clothes, her hair contained woven unpretentious decoration, and the face was smiling. Another composition came to the platform just, and she hurried to the monorail. Apparently, this woman was a guide, whose job is to meet important guests. Zuko hurried to catch up with his uncle, who had already disappeared behind the gates of the platform.
xxx
Trying not to turn the head Jet was watching the old man. How, how could he had been so wrong?! Mushi seemed to be a good man. He was so pathetically speaking of a second chance ... second chance for firebenders? Did he mean the chance to capture Ba Sing Se? But he was wrong. Jet is a freedom fighter, and he wouldn't let the firebenders do their machinations in this city. All that he needs is to make firebenders demonstrate their abilities. And then just hand them to the authorities.
"Passport."
"What?" Jet turned to very fierce-looking woman sitting at the registration desk.
"Passport!" receptionist barely restrained. She was tired, she had a headache, and the working day was lasting too long. And then there's this guy, who is slow. Try to be friendly in such situation!
She carefully read the document and sighed. Another refugee, and yet so young.
"Welcome to Ba Sing Se." she said "As a newcomer, you must follow certain rules ..."
Jet didn't listen to her monotonous murmur, he just returned to the observation of the firebenders, who at that time were listening to exactly the same lackluster performance at the next table. He had to find a way to prove who they really are. Why do firebenders run away from war? Why do they look so poor and starving? Where did the firebender get his burn scar? Very strange... But Jet didn't care about it. He just needed to hand them to the authorities, and they'll deal with them.
The guy with the scar suddenly turned his head to Jet. Freedom fighter turned away indifferently.
xxx
Avatar was definitely playing a dirty game. In a literal sense! And now Azula wanted only one thing - to clean up.
"My princess, can I…" Minister Qin began, but she cut him off sharply.
"You missed your opportunity, Mr. Qin." she said slowly "So much time, so much cost, so much work and all in vain. With this technology, as this drill, you still managed to be a loser. My father will be very unhappy."
"I understand, Your Highness." man threw himself on his knees, bowing his head "I'll withdraw troops and..."
"Don't do that." princess interrupted him again "Now that I'm here I'll find a way to get to the capital of the Earth Kingdom. Strengthen your positions near the village and wait for my instructions." she looked at a hundred-meter wall. Avatar was in Ba Sing Se. By penetrating there, she will kill two birds with one stone. Of course, she should hurry up before the boy was not lost. But first ... first she needed to find a place where she could wash away all this sticky mud!
xxx
"Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls." Joo Dee said smiling factitiously "There are external which protect us. And there are internal to maintain order."
Guys exchanged glances. Aang shrugged and stared out the window. This town is properly a prison. All those people locked in certain districts just like prisoners, they have neither rights nor capabilities, compelled to drag out a miserable existence, which can't be called "to live".
Freedom means an essence to the airbender. He needs a play, an expanse, he needs independence. And what about the expanse can be discussed, when this guide-woman literally adhered to them?
"Get used to it, Aang" Toph whispered to him while Joo Dee was talking about craftsmen and their really interesting lives "I'm afraid, we can't step outside the house without her."
"Why?" the boy turned surprised.
"These are the rules." The girl shrugged "The visitors of the city can't go anywhere without a guide."
"What a stupid rules." Aang frowned, but at this very moment crew in which they were traveling stopped that sharp so Sokka hit his neck by wood partition and Aang fell down from the bench to the floor.
"Look where you are going!" the charioteer threateningly shouted at someone.
xxx
Ostrich horse frightened of greatly strained reins snapped pushing the crew back and nearly knocking it down. Charioteer while dreaming about something didn't mentioned pedestrians going across the road and wagon was nearly catching a senior. At the last moment his companion, young man with a huge ugly scar on his face, grabbed horse's harness and jerked the belt.
"Look where you are going!" the charioteer shouted.
"Look where you are driving!" the young man answered in the same tone.
"You, dirty stupid creatures." the charioteer hissed. Refugee's eyes flashes, and he reached for his sword, but the man grabbed his wrist.
"Don't do that, nephew." his voice was soft, but the look was steel "Excuse us," he bowed " we will be more careful."
He just snorted and urged on the ostrich horse.
"What happened?" Joo Dee leaned out the window.
"Everything is fine, madam," said the coachman " Lower ring, you understand, what I mean."
Joo Dee nodded understandingly and then sat down on the bench.
"You should always look around in the lower ring," she said with her smile faded slightly "there are a lot of refugees, so it can be dangerous."
Katara looked out the window and looked down on the violators of peace. Two men dressed in brown and green clothes were moving away from them in the direction of the alley, where there were a few men with rather gangster look. One of them had a very impressive sword. Joo Dee was right: there are many criminals because of poverty in the lower ring, so you need to look around while walking here.
xxx
It started getting dark. This long day finally came to its end.
Toph was lounging on cushions in the lobby, thoughtfully listening to the sounds of the street.
"What will you do, Aang?" she asked.
"I don't know." boy sighed "It looks like we're stuck here for a long time."
"I hate this woman!" Sokka said "Why is she always following for us?"
"Rules." Toph shrugged her shoulders "I told you so."
"It is necessary to listen to you more often," muttered the young soldier and returned to the interrupted light evening snack.
Aang went to the window, staring wistfully at the sky. Where are you, buddy? Where should we start looking for you in this great city?
The first star lit up the sky and the moon illuminated the boy's face with the mysterious blue-white glow, as if the spirit of the moon gave him a silent kiss.
xxx
"Nephew, something happened?"
Zuko didn't turn around. He stood at the window, looking at the moon, basking in her pale mystical light. The uncle quietly approached him, staying behind him.
"My life turned to night uncle," the young man said hoarsely "It seems that it is polar."
"Come on, nephew," Iroh said cheerfully "It's not so bad. We have an apartment, tomorrow we will find a job. Everything's getting better."
Zuko whirled awarding uncle a look of a mixture of anger and despair. How could he not understand? Maybe this life fits uncle, but not him, not Zuko.
"Go to sleep, nephew," the old man's hand gently rested on his shoulder "The night is over, tomorrow is a new day."