Chapter 8

It was the most romantic night the two had shared yet.

They had enjoyed being alone many times already in their relationship, but they were forced to be careful before. They were in the Fire Nation before, where they had to watch their backs, but now, they were in the Earth Kingdom. They were finally home to their natural element and they finally felt free.

"It has been four years since I have set foot on Earth Kingdom soil," said Atsuko.

"Really?"

"Yes. After joining the order, I was either on the ferry, or at Piandao's estate."

"But what about when the ferry came into port? Surely you were allowed to go and eat somewhere before coming back for the return journey."

"No. The Fire Nation was only using the town as a port. As long as they were friendly with the town, the locals wouldn't become violent."

"Wait, the Fire Nation was worried about violence?"

"Actually, yes we...I mean they, were. A lot has changed since the early years of the war. One of Sozin's19" value"Sizing's, Seizing's, Son's, Sonni's, Sin's, Rozina's, Solon's, Spain's, Soling's, Suzann's, Suzi's, Skin's, Sonia's, Suzie's, Sabin's, Stein's, Rosin's, Satin's, Skein's, Swain's, Susan's, Sony's, Zion's, Sign's, Sine's, Sun's, Zing's, Spins, Sn's, Zn's, Zorn's, Sins, Size's, Sons, Seine's, Sonny's, Scion's, Sizing, Sonnie's, Dozens, San's, Sunni's, Zen's, Sines, Sings, Sinus, Sonnies, Zines, Zings, Skins, Seines, Cozens, Rosins, Satins, Skeins, Stains, Steins, Swains, Suns, Zions, Signs, Sizes, Scions, Sunnis, Zens, Sans, Seizes, Sens" / main mistakes was using the comet against the Air Nomads. If he had attacked Ba Sing Se with the comet's power, the city would have surely fallen to the will of Sozin. But since his concentration was on the Air Nomads, the Earth Kingdom had time to prepare. Yes, the Fire Nation has easily walked into many Earth Kingdom villages and taken them for their own, but you have to realize that those villages were what they were, villages. Strong port towns like this one have a much more dense population of benders, thus more readily available soldiers should the need make itself present. That is why the Fire Nation is holding off and remaining good friends with this port. They want to use the port, but after the war started, the main cities of the Earth Kingdom began building their armies. The Fire Nation could easily overthrow this town and claim it for its own, but at what cost? They would lose many soldiers to the cause and when they did win, they would have to send nobles and even more soldiers here to occupy the port."

"I see now. Rather than taking over, the Fire Nation is appearing to be friendly to these people so that they can still use the port at little to no cost for them."

"Yes, the only catch is that we have to follow the city's rules, one of which being that no Fire Nation soldiers are allowed to step foot off of any boat that uses the ports."

"Now it makes sense."

"I can't begin to tell you how much it hurt to be so close to home, but not be quite able to grasp it and come back all the way."

"I'm so sorry," said Gi Fong as he wrapped his arm around her and the two drifted off on the hillside.


"Now, how far is it to the stronghold?"

"One week's walk." answered Iroh.

"An entire week? We don't have the money Iroh! What do you expect us to do?"

"As the trail lies, yes, it is a week's walk to the stronghold. But, if you must know, as the bison flies, it is a mere two days."

"Well there. Why didn't you suggest that before?"

"Because I would rather risk starvation than go through that place again."

"What place? You must understand Iroh, I am not familiar with the Earth Kingdom other than the direct routes to Omashu. Please enlighten me as to what this 'place' is."

"It is a swamp."

"A swamp? You're scared to go through a silly swamp?" asked Piandao in disbelief.

"Yes, I am. And if you know what is good for you, you won't suggest that we risk it."

"What risk is there Iroh? It's a silly swamp for Avatar's sake! Does the swamp eat people or something?"

"Worse."

"What do you mean?"

"The swamp scares you," answered Iroh.

"People-eating swamps don't scare you?"

"No, that is not what I mean. The swamp, it shows you things. Things that you never wanted to see again, or thought you would never see again, or never even knew existed. The frightening thing is that you never know which one of these three it truly is."

"So, the swamp makes you hallucinate?"

"In a sense yes, but the swamp is more than that. The swamp is alive, Piandao."

"I still don't see the harm in using it to our advantage. Remember, we have Gi Fong and Atsuko now. Besides, aren't there swamp guides or something?"

"I guess you're right. As long as we stay with the swamp guides, we should be fine."

"I'm glad you agree with me. And I'm sorry I've been short with you lately. I guess I'm just still a little frustrated with Atsuko for all of her carelessness."

"How so?"

"Oh you know, her and Gi Fong going off together like this at night. She keeps telling me that the port is not controlled by the Fire Nation, and that Gi Fong and herself are perfectly fine, but I'm not convinced. You know better than I do that the Fire Nation is not so easily swayed by local governments."

"Yes, I do. But remember what we decided. We promised ourselves that we would not interfere with their relationship. We are not their parents, and what they do outside of the order is none of our business."

"I guess you're right. But something still worries me about all of this non-violent Fire Nation business."

"I know what you mean. It is not like the Fire Nation to bend so easily to the will of the local governments."

A knock on the door was heard. Iroh got up and answered to find the landlord of the inn at their door.

"You must leave now!" said the landlord in a panicked frenzy.

"What do you mean?" asked Piandao.

"I know you guys are Fire Nation, and I know that you are on our side, but they know too!"

"Who knows?" asked Iroh.

"The soldiers. They are coming here to take you and your friends away."

"How can they do that? I though this island was untouched by the soldiers of the Fire Nation."

"It was, until tonight. It happened so fast. Since my inn is on the outskirts of town, they will come here last, but all of our earth-benders from town have vanished, and so has our leader. The flag over the port is gone and has been replaced by a Fire Nation flag. It could have only happened a few hours ago because the ports are watched carefully during the day time."

"We need to find the other two," said Piandao.

"Agreed," said Iroh.

"Consider your room paid for. I've kind of been eavesdropping, and I know that you guys are trying to help the world. The room's on the house. Just go!"


Atsuko awoke. She recognized the hill that she had fallen asleep on, but Gi Fong was not there like she remembered him being.

As the full moon reappeared from behind the clouds, she looked around the hill to see if he had gone somewhere alone for a little while.

As she turned to go to the top of the hill, she tripped over something on the ground. She looked down to see what she had tripped over.

She gasped in horror as the pale moonlight showed the deep tracks of the coal powered metal contraptions used by none other than the Lower Ranks.


A/N: Haha, the road has had its twists and turns but it finally deposits us here. Finally, the story hits its stride and gets back to the good old 'save the world' attitude that the first story had. I apologize that it took so long to get there, but trust me, the remaining chapters are going to satisfy not only yours, but my need for action and adventure as well. Read and review, please and thank you.