Ch 2

Aang entered his tent and removed his helmet and armor, sitting on the bed. Another victory, another day to live.

"Might as well write Gyatso, tell him about the front." Aang said. He walked thru his tent and noticed something was wrong. His spare set of armor wasn't in the right place, which means…

"Someone's here." Aang muttered, pulling out his Shamshir sword.

Hearing a voice, Aang pivoted to his left and walked forward, his left hand stretched out, his right hand holding the sword back.

"Got you!" Aang said, as he grabbed a visible arm and pulled the person from there hiding place and threw them on the ground, pointing the sword at them.

Aang observed the stowaway seeing a young woman around 18 years old. She's wearing a pink midriff and pink pants.

"How'd you get in here?" Aang asked.

The woman looks at Aang in fear, her eyes on the exotic sword in his hand.

"Speak. How'd you get in here?" Aang asked, lowing his sword.

"I was brought here. By one of your soldiers." She said.

Aang walked out of the tent and yelled for Sokka.

"Sir?" Sokka asked.

Aang pulled Sokka into his tent in front of the young woman.

"I told you to take all the prisoners back to the rear echelon units for interrogation." Aang said.

"We did. But she's your prize." Sokka said.

Aang sighed and put his hand on his forehead in thought.

"Okay. Dismissed." Aang said.

"What does it mean, I'm your prize?" she asked.

"Simple. You're my slave girl. I own you." Aang said.

"May I ask, what's your name?" she asked, now standing up.

"Tell me your name first, and I'll tell you mine." Aang said, sitting at his desk to write a letter.

"Ty Lee." She said.

"Aang."

Ty Lee scratched her head, as the name sounded familiar. She looked at his armor and noticed the insignia.

"You're the avatar!" Ty Lee whispered.

"Yep. That's me." Aang said, folding the letter away.

"I can't believe it. You're in command of the entire Roman army." Ty Lee said.

"Exaggeration. I command a part of the army, but not the whole thing." Aang said, and looked at Ty Lee.

"So what do you do, or used to do?" Aang asked.

"I'm an acrobat." Ty Lee said.

Aang leaned back in his chair, his attention focused on Ty Lee.

"Did you perform?" Aang asked.

"Yes. I was the best performer, on account of me being very flexible." Ty Lee said. She stood in front of Aang and fell into a backbend. She then pulled her arms forward and rested on her forearms, while her back was arched and her feet were touching the top of her head.

"Wow. Very impressive." Aang said.

"Not as impressive as being the avatar. I've always wondered what it's like to have such power and prestige." Ty Lee said.

"It's not something I like to think about. I have an uncle in the senate and…" Aang said, when he quit talking.

"You don't trust me?" Ty Lee asked, as she stood up and lifted a leg to her head.

"We're on the frontlines. Can't allow the enemy to know anything of value about me and my army." Aang said.

"I understand. So what do you want me to do?" Ty Lee asked.

"Have you eaten yet?" Aang asked.

"No." Ty Lee said, slightly confused.

"Back of the tent are some rations. You can eat those." Aang said, as he stood up and headed to the front of the tent.

"I almost forgot. One more thing." Aang said, as he approached Ty Lee and gave her his Pugio.

Rome

Temple of Jupiter

"This senate will now come to order." Long Feng said, as the senators came into the meeting room.

"Senator Gyatso is dead! There is evidence that he has been conspiring with his nephew, Avatar Aang, to take control of the republic when the Avatar returns from the war. My fellow senators, such actions cannot stand. I will not allow our republic to descend into a dictatorship. As of this moment, Avatar Aang is now a criminal and an outlaw!" Sozin shouted.

The senators nervously looked at each other, and many whispered among themselves.

"For now, I will lead the republic, and Long Feng will take control of the senate itself." Sozin proclaimed.

Senator Iroh quickly left the building and mounted his horse. He had to send a message to the Avatar, before Sozin assassinated him.

Avatar Aang's forward base

2 weeks after change in senate

Aang swung his Shamshir sword around, trying to get the feel for the weight of the sword. One thing he learned quickly, was that the Shamshir was a slicing and cutting sword, not a thrusting sword. While the length of the blade meant he could fight farther than his opponent, the curved blade meant he had to put more effort to kill his enemy.

"Hey, Aang." Ty Lee said in a cheerful tone.

"Hey, Ty Lee. Why so happy?" Aang asked, as he put the sword away and looked at the acrobat.

"I'm just naturally bubbly and optimistic." Ty Lee said.

"Despite your situation right now, I'd say you're doing good." Aang said.

"Want to spar?" Ty Lee asked.

Aang raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Are you kidding me? You don't have the strength or endurance that I have. But I'll humor you." Aang said, holding the sword in front.

"Um, can we please put the sword away?" Ty Lee asked.

Aang tossed the sword aside and took a hand to hand stance and waited for Ty Lee to make the first move.

"Just so you know, the Roman army doesn't charge head first into battle. We move as one large unit and roll over our enemies." Aang said.

"Okay." Ty Lee said, and attacked first. She ran forward and jumped with her foot aimed at Aang's torso. Aang attempted to grab her foot but was unable to. He was knocked to the ground as Ty Lee triumphantly stood on top of him.

Aang rolled towards Ty Lee and knocked her feet from under her, causing her to fall on her back.

"You still have a lot to learn." Aang said, taking another stance. This time, Aang attacked first with some punches that Ty Lee was forced to dodge.

"You move quick and well." Aang said, then attempted a high kick against Ty Lee, who promptly dodged it by ducking and then leaped forward like a cat and tackled Aang, or would have except Aang used the momentum and threw Ty Lee off him.

"You're really good at fighting." Ty Lee said, as she sat down and did some stretches.

"I was in the army for 15 years. Proved to be really good at leading troops, so they gave me command of the eastern armies." Aang said.

"That's exciting. I've always wanted to see Rome." Ty Lee said, oblivious that she wouldn't be treated as a Roman citizen in the capital city.

"That's a problem. You're a slave. And slaves are not treated well in the Roman Empire. There are plenty of Romans who would have you as their personal slave, and you won't like it." Aang said.

"But you can protect me! You're the avatar!" Ty Lee said.

"Ty Lee, I didn't survive this long without picking up a few tricks and habits. One thing I learned, is that a small group of people can sneak inside a camp and cause havoc. Lets say we're in Rome. A lot of people will know about you, and if someone sneaks inside my house and kidnaps you, you'll never see the light of day again. Ironically, you're safer here right now." Aang said.

"But don't you have your own personal guards or something?" Ty Lee asked.

"I've heard stories of bodyguards killing those they were entrusted to protect, just to obtain whatever they wanted from their master. So no." Aang said.

"How… how are slaves treated in Rome? I've heard it's bad, but I've also heard that Rome is the pinnacle of civilization right now." Ty Lee said.

Aang looked at Ty Lee, as she was in a painful contortion, yet showed no pain, only calmness. He decided not to tell her.

"It's best that you don't know." Aang softly said.

"Okay." Ty Lee said, and followed Aang back to camp.

He's one of the top generals in the roman army. Seen countless combat and war. What has he seen in Rome?

"Sir, senator Iroh has just arrived. He has a message for you." Sokka said, approaching Aang.

"Where is he?" Aang asked.

"Next to the barracks." Sokka said.

Aang and Ty Lee headed to the senator, seeing Iroh drinking some tea.

"Iroh. Didn't expect to see you here." Aang said.

"I have an urgent message from the senate. But first, who's this young lady?" Iroh asked, seeing Ty Lee.

"Ty Lee." Aang said.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ty Lee." Iroh said, shaking her hand.

Ty Lee read Iroh's aura, and knew she could trust him. His aura said he was an easy going man, and filled with great wisdom.

"So, what news do you have?" Aang asked.

Iroh sighed and looked at Aang, his facial expression now serious.

"Avatar Aang, there's been a coup in the senate. Your uncle has been assassinated, and you're labeled as a criminal." Iroh said.