Maikka Fortnight 2012: Road Trip

Part 2 of the Time Is an Illusion series

"Mai," Sokka said quietly, as they left the odd homeless man in the park, "we know that somehow decades have passed in an instant, but we don't know if Zuko had the same experience. He could be older than your father. Are you sure you're willing to see him like that?"

Mai's brisk walk slowed. She hadn't thought about how much Zuko had aged. "He's our best chance of getting answers," she said. "I'll have to take that risk." She quickened her pace again, coming upon a stone wall with an open iron gate. Beyond the wall was a paved street with strange…vehicles sitting on either side. There were also vehicles rumbling up and down the street, carrying passengers.

Sokka looked like a kid in a candy store. He stepped toward the shiniest vehicle parked on the street, and gently brushed his hand against the steel side.

"What are these?" he asked.

"How should I know?" Mai crossed her arms. "I've never seen them before. Do you expect me to make something up? Should I tell you they're civilian tanks?"

Sokka turned to face her, his face hardened with exasperation. "It was a rhetorical question!"

Mai knew that, of course. She just wanted to be sarcastic. It felt comfortable, and she needed all the comfort she could get at this strange time.

Sokka glanced back at the vehicle. "Although, civilian tanks sound more plausible than anything I can think of," he added, stooping down to poke one of the wheels. "It's bouncy," he reported. "I wish we could ride one of these things to where Zuko's staying."

"I suppose," said Mai. She had to admit that the "civilian tanks" looked appealing. "The homeless man made it sound like we can easily get there on foot."

"Yeah, I get the impression he goes everywhere on foot."

After a beat, Mai said, "Come on, stop fondling the thing. We have to find Ember Street."

She strode west per the shabby man's directions, trying to ignore distractions such as lighted signs and covered walkways that connected the towers high overhead. Mai and Sokka themselves drew a few stares from the city dwellers walking past them, but no one said anything.

When Mai and Sokka reached a corner, helpful signs of the non-glowing variety labeled the intersection of 12th Street and South Ember Street.

Sokka pointed. "Look, those lights must signal the drivers. Red means stop."

Mai raised her eyebrow. "You sound like you know what you're talking about."

"Thanks, I try," said Sokka, smiling.

"How do you suppose they work?" asked Mai. "Is there a firebender hiding somewhere, channeling fire through the poles?"

"Could be," said Sokka. "I have no idea what's powering the civilian tanks, though."

They waited until the red lights for South Ember Street switched to green. Then they crossed 12th Street, heading north. Although Mai tried not to stare at every weird thing, her eyes kept returning to the lighted signs. Most of them seemed to be advertisements with strange and often humorous slogans. One of the landmarks the bum had told them they would pass was an enormous sign for Flameo Instant Noodles. "Flameo" was an old slang term that one of Mai's favorite teachers had used for approval. Incidentally, the sign had a painting of a boy in a Fire Nation school uniform, grinning and holding a bowl of noodles. The boy looked very much like Aang, in fact.

"We should be close," said Mai. "There's the sign the man told us about."

But Sokka wasn't looking at the sign. He was peering beyond it, toward the far corner of the building in front of them. Beyond the building was an open square with people milling about. He took a few slow and deliberate steps forward. Mai followed, catching sight of a large stone structure in the square. It was a statue at least three stories tall. It was a man…Not just any man…

It was a statue of Zuko.

Sokka threw up his hands in frustration.

"Oh, very funny!