The Insanity of Ursa and the Revenge of the Dai Li
Prologue:
Long ago, the Fire Nation suddenly attacked the other Four Nations, the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, and the Air Nomads. By the end of the year, the Avatar and his friends, Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, Toph of the Earth Kingdom, and Zuko of the Fire Nation, had ended the century-long war. It is now twenty years after the end of the War, and five after the creation of the United Republic of Nations. And from the ashes of war shall rise a new darkness, one that shall threaten the stability of the world, if not for the actions of three benders…
Chapter 1:
Lou, Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, looked at her court, and more importantly, a middle-aged woman from the Southern Water Tribe, Katara, heroine of the War and lover to Avatar Aang. "Greetings, Katara, to the sister Tribe to your own Southern Water Tribe. What is it you want of us?" Lou asked, to which Katara replied, "In my travels, I learned a new form of Waterbending, one so powerful that you could have no control of your body, to do another's whim. It is called Bloodbending, the controlling of one's blood to move their muscles. I have deemed this form too powerful to be known to one person, so I have decided to teach it to all Waterbenders. If you would allow me, Lou Sai, I can teach it to all able Waterbenders in the Northern Water Tribe."
"I shall think on, you are welcome to stay while me and the Council discusses this matter. Thank you, Katara." And she left.
By the end of the day, Lou and the Council had decided that Katara would be able to teach any Waterbender who wanted to, the form of Bloodbending. After it was decided and Katara was told of the result of the Council's debating, Lou exited the capital building of the Northern Water Tribe to go meet with his close friend at a bar. Thinking back, Lou recalled that these bars and taverns were part of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom attempts to "civilize" to undeveloped parts of the world. Entering the bar, the warm smell of drinks and merriment filled the room. Lou then walked over to his close confidant.
Shayni, Airbender and friend of Lou Sai, Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, sat at a two-seater table, a warm cup of green tea in his hand. When Lou, her black hair now draped back, instead of in the style of hair-loops that Katara put in popularity after the War. "Hey, Shayni. How was your day?" asked Lou, after ordering a cup of strong mead from the southern Fire Nation. "Learning a lot from the Avatar, he's teaching me how to protect myself via Airbending, instead of the traditional dodge and evade tactics of our ancestors. I heard someone from the sister Tribe to the south came today, who was it?"
"Katara. She wanted to teach our benders the form of Bloodbending. It apparently allows us to control another's body under the power of the full moon."
"What did you say to that? Power over one's body is a big thing, especially when teaching it to all those benders."
"She said that it would even the playing field, or something of the sort." Lou shrugged. "We agreed. I mean, who wouldn't want that kind of power? But whatever, it's peacetime; I don't see the use of it. Anyways, what news did you get of your travels to the Four Nations?"
"Just today, the Avatar tasked me with a grave matter to solve. He is hearing whispers of the Dai Li remerging, and has asked me to take along my closest friend. This is what the Avatar said to me when we entered sight of the Wall of the Northern Water Tribe: 'Shayni, I have seen a vision of the future. The Dai Li rise, and all will fall before their oppression if not for you, your best friend, and a swordsman of stone. You must go to Ba Sing Se and find Long Feng, after that you will be united with someone. After that destiny will guide you.'" He then leaned closer, his bald head visible in the lantern light, "Appoint one of your most trusted advisors to lead while you are gone. Come with me to Ba Sing Se." And with a quick nod, Lou stood up and left.