"All right ladies, feast your eyes on this! These nuts should keep us full for several…. Hours?"
The ladies in question, specifically his sister and the Kyoshi warriors, appeared to already have their hands full with food. Several juicy fish were being gutted and cooked in a pot.
"Oh, come on!" He threw his catch up in the air in exasperation. "All that hard work and you can't bother to wait a second more?"
"Sorry Sokka. But you were taking so long at shore, we figured we could just have an easier time here."
His eyebrow twitched as his sister waterbended another fish from the ocean.
"Yeah sure. Easier. You know back home, we didn't do things because they were easy. We did them because they were right."
"Excuse me?" She looked at her brother with annoyance. "We're catching fish for supper. How is that not the right thing to do?"
"Because we knew the struggle of the hunt! We used our cunning! Not voodoo magic!"
Katara rolled her eyes, as the warriors looked on with amusement. Well, except for Suki.
"I know plenty about struggle Sokka! Don't forget!" She gripped her mother's necklace. "And it's not magic! It's part of who I am! Why shouldn't I get to use it?"
"Because it's wrong! Bending is the reason this war happened! You think the Fire Nation would be nearly so dangerous without it!?"
"That's misuse Sokka! Anything can be dangerous in the wrong hands! It's no reason to deny the rest of us! You're just jealous!"
"Oh please. You're who's jealous! Using magic just to prove you're cooler than everyone else! It's total insecurity!"
"I told you it's not magic! It's-"
"Hey Suki? Where'd Suki go?"
Sokka walked past his sister who was still talking to him. But he didn't much care for it right now.
He found Suki at the helm of the ship they had stolen, staring out over the sea.
"Hey what's up?"
"Oh, just thinking. About a lot of things. I also know for a fact that Kyoshi Island lies in this direction. Wondering if I'll ever see it again."
"Aw, cheer up! We'll see it again! You've got the Southern Water Tribe's best warrior, and your whole little gang as well. And I guess my weird sister with her bending magic too." He shrugged.
"Sokka… Do you really think bending is a bad thing?"
"Why not? It's hurt the whole world! My own mother…. She wouldn't…. They wouldn't have touched her if she didn't…. didn't have…"
Suki waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she responded.
"True, it has done some bad things. But it's also done a lot of good ones. Without it, the world wouldn't have come this far would it? It's a part of who we are!"
He scoffed. "A part of who some are perhaps. Not us though. Not me and you right?"
Her pause did not go unnoticed.
"Hey what gives? Cat got your tongue?"
She flinched. He could improve on his manners.
"Sorry. I'm still thinking and-"
"Fire Nation!"
The two jumped at the shout from a Kyoshi warrior and followed her finger to see smoke rising from a moving object in the distance.
"Uh, welp. Should we like take care of that or something?"
"Let's put some distance between them. Maybe they don't see us yet."
"No. They're turning our way. They've spotted us." He turned to Suki. "Any chance we can outrun them?"
"A little thing like this? Not a chance. They'll overtake us soon. Listen everyone! Into our other outfits! Can't let them see us as warriors. You to Sokka. Can't have them see you're from the water tribe."
"Good thinking. And Katara no bending! Not now, please!"
"For once we agree brother."
Just as Suki predicted, the ship quickly overtook them and pulled up alongside. The smoke bellowing from the chimney and the red flags brought back memories neither of the water tribe siblings wanted to relive.
Sokka noticed his sister's hand shaking. He gripped and clenched it. She looked at him with thankfulness.
"Ok here we go." Suki looked around at her team, all dressed in what might pass for normal sailor clothing…. If they weren't all minors. "Remember, nothing until I give the go ahead. If we can avoid fighting, that's for the best."
"Why not?" Katara muttered. "It's no less than they deserve."
"Easy sis. Easy."
"What? Aren't you the one who's always been up for a fight?"
Sokka remained silent. He had been. But face to face with these monsters in reality made him think twice.
The boat pulled up alongside. The captain looked across at the children.
"What do you rabble think you're doing here? This area is off limits to all non-Fire-Nation ships. Don't you know that?"
"We apologize sir. We strayed a bit from our usual route north. We can head back right now with your permission."
"With my permission? That's convenient because I don't give you my permission. I don't think children have that right." He smirked. "Did you think those clothes would hide your age from us little girl? Did you think we wouldn't see? Well I've got news for you-"
"No! I've got news for you! Drown!"
With her hands, Katara caused a wave to knock the guards off their feet.
"Crap! Guess that's all for stealth! Let's go ladies!"
"And guys! Let's not forget guys!" Sokka threw his boomerang at a guard and knocked him to the ground. To his disappointment, Suki was not looking.
The guards fought hard, but just as they had done with the water siblings nearly a week ago, they took down the guards with little trouble. And before long, they had the entire crew tossed up and tied.
"Well that was a nice little catch. Though I would have rather we avoided it."
"We could have if Katara could control her magic!"
"It's not magic! And it saved our lives, in case you didn't notice!"
"Yeah but Suki said to wait! You could have screwed us all with it! Gah! Why don't girls ever listen!"
"Ahem."
"Oh uh… I meant most girls. I mean some girls. I mean. Water girls! Why can't water girls listen?"
Katara sighed. "While my brother's words may be tasteless, he does have a point. I shouldn't have acted like that. So, I'm sorry."
"I wouldn't think on it too much." Suki looked around at the unconscious guards. "True, it would be nice to have a little more coordination, but it did help in the end. So, thank you both. We're glad to have you here."
Sokka couldn't help but smile at that. It had been too long since he'd heard a compliment. And by god did it feel good!
"So, what's with the restrictions?" One of the warriors looked about. "Why didn't they want us in this area?"
"Who knows? Let's search this ship. Grab what we can. Find some useful info."
"Better than that! Let's ditch the other and use this one!"
Everyone looked at Sokka as if he was mad.
"Look if we sail in that thing, we're gonna get stopped again. In this baby, we can go right past them like we weren't there. Plus, I bet it's a heckuva lot faster."
Suki pursed her lips. It did make some sense.
"I'll consider it Sokka. For now, let's search the place, top to bottom."
While the warriors searched about, Sokka noticed his sister looking up at the flags with anger.
"Hey sis. Sorry about what I said. You holding up ok?"
"It's fine. You don't have to apologize. You were right. I let my emotions get the better of me. Seeing this ship… I just sort of lost it."
He placed his hand on her trembling shoulder.
"I get what you mean. Our history with these things hasn't been great." He looked back up at the flag.
"It's not the same flag. The one that came before….. It had sea ravens."
"I know. I'll never forget. Never."
"Hey guys! We found something in the hold! You'd better come take a look at this!"
The two turned away from their painful memories and followed the warrior into the bowels of the ship.
"What did you find? More crewmen?"
"Of a sort. Not willingly I would say."
Their confusion quickly abated when they reached the bottom and found Suki and the rest of the warriors standing outside of a large prison cell… contained with people in rags.
"Holy molly." Sokka stared with eyes wide open.
Suki nodded. "This is a prison ship."
"Are they gone?" One boy moved forward a bit. "Are we free?"
Katara moved forward herself and gripped the boy's hands through the bars.
"Yes. They're gone. You're safe. I promise."
…
"You're safe. I promise."
Aang remembered those words from his dead mentor as he stared into the dark pit he was slowly being lowered into. It was so different from the temple he had come to know as home. It sure reminded him of his old home. The darkness. The crampedness.
He shuddered. He didn't want to think about it. That was the only way he had managed to cope.
"Hey brat! What are you standing around for? Get to work!"
He snapped out of his fantasy. Realizing where he was, surrounded by hostile people in a hostile environment, forced to work to the bone. The kind of world they promised he would be spared from.
"Silly of me to think that, huh? I should have known all good things would come to an end for me. They always do."
"Wow. That's a pretty pessimistic way to look at life. Especially for a kid!"
He turned to see a big burly man observing him with a raised eyebrow. His muscles and coal-covered face suggested he had been here for quite some time.
Aang began to sweat. And not just form the heat or labor. He couldn't use airbending to defend himself in here, and this looked like the kind of guy who… well he'd heard stories about what happened to boys in places like this.
"Some kid you must be though to wind up here of all places. Tell me kid, what'd you do? Who'd you kill?"
He felt his pulse hike up. He couldn't help it.
"How… How did you know I-"
"Wait, you did kill someone? I was just kidding! Damn. You're pretty hardcore. So, who'd you kill? Kid? Kid?"
"All… I killed them all… Every last one."
"Woah. Ok. Sorry I asked. Maybe I should just leave you alone huh?"
"Chit Sang! What is the matter here? Get yourself and this boy back to work!"
"Excuse me? Since when did I become a babysitter?"
"Since now! Since this brat obviously can't think for himself, you're going to do that for him! So, get him up and moving!" The guard lit his hand in flames.
"Or do you need another lesson?"
Chit Sang grimaced. These lessons were apparently not fun. He willingly grabbed Aang's arm and pulled him along.
"Ok kid. I don't know what you did to get yourself in here. But you gotta keep those urges in check in here. Because if you kill me or anyone else but mainly me, you're just going to get yourself in a lot of trouble. Ok? I guess I'm saying maybe give me a chance all right?" Aang did not notice the nervousness in his eyes. He still seemed distant.
"Great! I'll take that as a yes. So, let me show you the ropes down here. It's pretty simple."
He looked the boy up and down, frowning at his comparatively thin arms.
"Well maybe not so much for you. You look more fit for running than digging coal. Guess we'll have to make do. First you hammer at the stuff with this pickaxe. Like this."
Aang couldn't say he enjoyed the work. Not one bit. But he actually felt somewhat relieved to be focusing his mind anywhere else other than the past. If he put all his concentration on the pitch-black rock, he at least could temporarily block it out. He didn't get why the big guy kept throwing him nervous glances.
"Something wrong sir?"
"Oh uh… Nothing. I uh…"
"Come on. I keep seeing you stare at me. What gives? Do I have something on my face? Besides coal of course."
"Heh. Heh. No seriously. Nothing. But uh. Are you sure you don't want to remove those sleeves? It's melting down here!"
"I'm sure. It's ok. I can take it."
"Really? I mean I'm sure you're some kind of total badass having gotten yourself locked up down here. But you really don't have to prove yourself like that."
"I do. I do have to prove myself. To the world. For the mistakes I've made."
"Right… But you can do that without melting to death."
"No, I can't. Sorry."
"What are you hiding? Some kind of scar."
"A very special kind of scar. Something unique to me. A symbol of my identity."
The man looked at the boy with raised eyebrows.
"You're one weird kid."
"You have no idea."
…
"Haru, I know you've been through a lot. But please try to calm down. You're safe now."
"Safe? Safe? There's nothing safe about this! We're on a Fire Nation ship in enemy waters, and I still don't know where my dad is!"
"Your dad? Where's he at?"
"I just told you! I don't know! He's in prison, only I don't know the exact location!"
"In prison? Is that where they were taking you? What's the crime?"
The boy flicks his long hair behind his shoulders. "Earthbending. They caught us Earthbending."
"That's it? Just for that!?"
Everyone looked at Katara's sudden outburst. She looked around, realizing how she appeared and sat down somewhat embarrassed.
"In our village, yes. Firebenders rule it and have taken all earthbenders. My father was one of the first."
Katara feeling sympathy, placed her hand on his shoulder.
"We know how that feels. I'm the last waterbender of our tribe."
He smiles back in response.
"Aye. We're the last bunch. But we finally got caught. I thought at the very least, I would see my father again after all these years. But now…"
Noticing the expressions of his saviors he quickly changed his tone.
"Not that I'm mad! I'm grateful! I just.. I don't know…"
"You've been through a lot," Katara said. We get it.
"Yeah. Sure, we do. But at the moment, I say we move." Sokka turned to Suki. "We're in enemy waters, and who knows how many more ships are out there. I say we don't stick around to find out."
"I agree. But what about you Haru? Where shall we take you and your friends? We can return you to your village if you like."
He remained silent for a moment, before looking to his fellow earthbenders. They all nodded, apparently sharing the same thought.
"No. We're wanted fugitives. We can't endanger our friends and family by having them hide us. And we're not going without our friends and family in jail. If you want to help us, take us to the prison."
"What!? You wanna go to prison? Who in their right mind would want that!?"
"I do have to agree with Sokka here." Suki looked over the earthbenders, secretly wondering about their mental state. "If we send you in there's no guarantee you could ever escape."
"But we have to try! My father and countless other Earthbenders have been imprisoned there! Some of them for years! I can't just leave them there any longer! It's not right!"
"But you don't even know where this prison is do you?"
"It can't be that far away! Surely you guys could find it! Please, I can't just leave him out there!"
The children looked among each other questioning the sanity of this potential plan. Sokka could sense opinion on his side and made a motion to speak. But Katara beat him to it.
"I'll go with him. I can help him find his father then break them out."
"Woah hold on. What!? Katara, even for you that's pretty dumb."
"What would you have me do, dear brother? Leave them alone in their plight? What would we do to save our family if we could? Wouldn't you be willing to risk prison for that?"
"Well my family is not in prison, thankfully. My family is you. And I'm not letting you walk into Firebender clutches! What if they learn you're a waterbender? They could kill you!"
"Risks are necessary to win Sokka! We all have to do it!"
"I… Doesn't matter, you're my sister and I made a promise to keep you safe!"
"Then why not come with me? Together, we could figure something out and save hundreds! A task worthy of a warrior of the Water tribe!"
He bit his lips. Damn she knew how to play him.
"I suppose we could give it a shot. But we'd first need to find the stupid place. I'll have to take a look through the maps. See if we can chart a path to the spot."
"Right. Here's the plan ladies." Suki announced this while turning to the other warriors. "Haru, the siblings, and I will go in disguised as earthbenders. You and the other earthbenders will disguise as soldiers and present us to the prison. Give us 24 hours then come in for us."
"Ok, I agree with the 24-hour limit. But you're coming too?"
"Way I see it, I have the most fighting skill of all of us. Plus, I made a promise to escort you to the Northern Water Tribe. What kind of host would I be if let you walk into enemy territory alone?"
Sokka smirked. "A week ago, I would laugh at the idea of girls helping save my rear. Now, all I can say is thanks."
"That's the spirit chap! Now why don't you show us how we're going to find this prison?"
"Sokka smirked even more. Any chance to show himself off to girls? Heck yeah!
"Why are you doing this?" Haru looked to Katara with confusion. "Why take the risk?"
"We're not letting them hurt anyone else. It's time they know what it's like to lose."
…
"Excuse me, fine sir. I, Papyrus demand you tell us the location of the Avatar! His safety is essential for the fate of the world! And especially my ascension to head of the royal guard!"
"Uh….."
"sorry, pal. brothers. you know how they are. we're just looking for the local coal mine."
"Oh, ok. That makes sense. Why didn't you just say that instead of… whatever he said?"
"Because why mince words? Why- Ow!"
Frisk nudged him in the chest, shutting him up. She couldn't speak, but how that brought a smile to her face!
"Ok, well. It's in that mountain, over there. Don't see why you'd want to go there though. And even if you did, you need to be a guard to go anywhere near it."
That's all we need guys, Frisk said with her fingers. Let's go.
"oh, what do you plan to do kid?"
Borrow.
"Oh borrow! I love to borrow! I'm sure they would love to lend something to us! Charity is the defining characteristic of humanity after all, yes!"
The stranger looked around in confusion. "Spirits help you guys."
…
"That's enough for today, maggots! To your bunks, now!"
"Ok, kid. You heard the bastard, you can stop now. No seriously. You can stop."
"Don't want to. Hate sleep."
"Hate sleep? It's the only freedom we get in here. How long we want to sleep. Not much I know. But hey it's the best we're getting. Come on."
When he pulled at Aang and the boy pulled away, Chit Sang raised his hands.
"Hey. Hey, come on now kid. You're not going to lose it in here, are you? I don't want to end up another victim!"
"What are you talking about? Forget it. I'll come."
"That's the spirit! No trouble for me, no trouble for you! Capiche?"
"What's capiche? Is that like Quiche? If so, I'll try it."
"…. Still just a kid."
Following the man to his quarters, Aang was surprised to find a familiar face who was themselves surprised.
"Shyu? What the hell?"
"Aang! I could say the same for you! Did they catch you? No, that doesn't make sense. If they knew who you were, they would never have sent you here."
"They didn't think to check under my sleeves. Not the best guards, I've gotta say."
"They're blithering idiots." Shyu nodded. "But security is tough here all the same. I've tried to get out and well…. Still no luck."
"I know old man. I was in on a few of those. So, you know the kid here? Did you know he's a murderer?"
"What? Is this true Aang?"
"No! I… I was just… I was muttering to myself… Nothing more."
"That was some muttering! Something about how you killed them all. Killed who all?"
"No! No, I was just confused. That's all. Nothing more. I'm sorry to bother you both. Can we just… I don't know can we please just find a way out?"
"Aang, are you sure you have nothing to tell me? I'm here if you need to talk."
"I'm fine! Just give it a rest!"
"Hey! In there! Keep it down! Don't make me come in!"
"Sheesh. Not even a full day here and already causing a mess. Some friend you got here old man."
"Watch your tongue vagrant! This boy is a hero! Treat him with respect!"
"A hero? Him? He's just a kid! And if he's a hero, why's he here?"
Aang wished he could argue with that.
…
"Ok, here we are people. Remember, smiley faces all around. Well except us prisoners. Can't look happy. That would make them suspicious. Or maybe we should smile. Then they'll think we're more content with our situation. Well the "guards" certainly shouldn't smile. Or maybe the female ones should. That'll keep the real guards distracted. No wait. Let me start again."
"Sokka!" Suki grabbed his shoulders and stared him in the eye. "We'll get in fine. Just leave it to me. I'll do the talking. You just stay calm, ok?"
"Sure. I mean yeah. Totally! I'll be the calmest bastard you've ever seen! I'll be so calm; the sea will shudder at my touch!"
"Geez Katara. Your brother is something huh?"
Katara smiled embarrassed at Haru. "You have no idea."
Sokka looked out the window. "A metal ship. The prison for earthbenders is a metal ship. That's kind of brilliant."
"Indeed." Haru frowned. "No prison on land could hold earthbenders. So, the Fire Nation found another way. To think my father has been out here all this time." He trailed off.
"Well find him Haru."
"I'm sure we will Katara. I just wonder. What's going to be left? Will he be sane? Will he even recognize me?"
No one answered. They all knew better than to rely on false hopes.
The guards accepted them easily enough. Suki nodded to the false guards, AKA warriors in disguise.
"Remember Suki. 24 hours then we come for you and the water siblings. With or without anyone else."
"Roger."
"Who's Roger?"
"No one. It's just a phrase, see?"
"Huh. Weird phrase."
The new prisoners were led into the main holding area. A large gathering of other prisoners were sitting around eating supper and talking to one another. Their faces and bodies seemed to sag like they were carrying a heavy weight.
"All right! Food! Scuse me ladies!"
"Sokka, we just ate."
"Yeah and as a warrior I need more food than most! Can't escape on an empty stomach, can I?"
The remaining three looked at each other and shrugged. Haru then began looking about for any sign of his old man.
"Gosh it's been so long. I was just a little kid when he was taken. He's pretty old by now…. If he's still-"
"Haru? Is that you?"
"Who- Dad?"
Father and son stared at each other in the midst of all the desperation. Even after both had changed physically and mentally, they knew it was them.
"I thought… I thought I'd never…"
"Me too son… Me too."
The two girls said nothing. Just watched the reunion and felt their hearts swell with hope and determination.
…
"Having fun? You like dark cold places, don't you?"
"Please. Please don't say that."
"Ah, you don't like the truth do you? Those nomads really rubbed off on you, huh?"
"Don't you dare…"
"Don't dare, what? I'll say whatever the hell I want, thank you! We share this space! It's not yours!"
"Doesn't mean I have to pay attention."
She smirked, taking on an inhuman grin.
"You do have to wake up though."
"Shut up."
"Wakey wakey kid."
"What?"
"I said wakey wakey! Time to get back to work!"
He opened his eyes to see Chit Sang's mug above. He rolled his eyes and rolled up to standing position.
"Wow! No complaints. No nothing? That's more than I can say for most of the workers here!"
"You should expect great things from him Chit Sang. He is a gifted young man, who has great things going for him."
Aang snorted. Really?
"Even the kid recognizes nonsense better than you old man."
Shyu looked at Aang with sadness. He kept looking at him that way throughout the entire day. Even as they toiled and removed coal. Frankly it began to get on Aang's nerves.
"Why do you keep giving me that look? Is there something on my face?"
"Yes! Your expression! The expression of a child who's losing faith! But he is the embodiment of faith himself! The world is counting on him! He does not belong in this terrible place!"
"No kidding! But what choice do I have? Have you found a way out yet?"
"No, unfortunately. We've tried our best but ultimately our ploys have not worked that well. We just don't have access to the means to plan any kind of real escape. If we could get out of the digging site… but no."
"Hmm. Sounds like our only real chance then is for someone on the outside to give us a hand." Aang looked around at the stoic guards. "Don't see much chance of that happening with this crowd."
"I know it looks hopeless. But you and I have both been in hopeless situations before. But faith got us through it. Remember, faith."
Aang snorted again. "I dunno. Any chance Roku's going to pop out of statue again?"
"Hey! Back to work slugs!"
Shyu continued to stare at Aang with worry. The avatar really wished he would stop.
…
"I think you'd look better than with a mustache. Just my opinion."
"I hope you didn't tell mom that. She made it very clear she doesn't want me following after your look!"
The old man laughed. "That's why I married her, you know. Only girl in the village who didn't hand onto my every word. Take it from me sport. Marry someone who tells you no more often than not. They'll drive you crazy. But they'll make you better."
"Hear that Sokka? You're welcome?"
"Ew, Katara. We're not married."
"I know that!" She stuck her tongue out at him. "But I make you better all the same by saying no! You're welcome!"
"Strange friends you've made son."
"We kind of just met actually. We could have sailed away. But I couldn't. Not with the thought of you locked up like this."
His father shook his head.
"I am glad to see you again son. But this was a foolish mistake. You should have listened to them. Maybe gotten your mother. Sailed far away to freedom. Now I doubt you'll ever know that again."
"No. We will. You will. We're getting you out of here. One way or another."
"Haru, be reasonable. There is no way out. We've been here over a decade. You think we haven't tried?" He looked out to sea sadly. "Without our bending we have no power. We have no control over metal. They took our power away. And with it our will to fight. Our determination is gone."
Suki had remained silent up to this point. But with what she just heard, she finally spoke up.
"That's absurd! No determination! Of course, you have determination! Just because you feel down doesn't mean you have none!"
This caught the attention of the other prisoners and even some of the guards who turned her way. Noticing the attention on her, Suki rose to her feet.
"Huh. You know I kind of expected Katara to do something dumb like this."
"Quiet Sokka."
"I know you have determination! All of you do! Every child in my village was rocked to sleep with stories of the brave Earthbenders who defend this land! Stories of your heroism, virtue, and selflessness have humbled and inspired us all! The Fire Nation may have taken away your ability to bend! But not your determination! And that is the greatest power of all! It is what makes us survive1 What makes us human! It runs deeper than any mine they've forced you to di, any ocean that keeps you far from home! It is the determination of your hearts that makes you who you are. Hearts that remain unbroken when all rock and stone has eroded away. That is the power they fear! And that power has not left you! I promise you that!"
The silence that met her suggested otherwise. She and her friends stared about in disbelief at the sullen faces that were already turning away. Katara felt her heart drop. Even with all that she had seen in life, she had never once seen anyone look so defeated.
"Hey hey." Sokka placed his hand on Suki's shoulder. "That was amazing."
"Wasn't amazing enough. How can someone just lose their will like that?"
"We thought as you did once." Haru's father looked her way sadly. "But it can only last so long. It becomes so tiring. So hard to bear."
"Father…"
"Please don't Haru. Just don't. Come on. Let's get you some breakfast."
Haru looked at his friends sadly, but Katara urged him on.
"Be with him. It's rare for a family to be together these days."
He smiled, grateful and left the three alone.
"What are we going to do? These people don't look like they can go on anymore. How can we convince them to leave?"
Sokka looked around at the numerous guards. "It won't matter how determined they are if we can't get out of this holding area. We didn't think this out well, we should have left at least one of us outside so they could scour the area."
"Maybe one of us still could." Suki looked at Katara. "With your bending, you could get out. You'd have to wait until dark."
"Oh great. More magic. Like we needed-"
"It's not magic. It's a gift. A part of her. And a true brother would accept that part and encourage her to use it."
Sokka was taken aback by the intensity of Suki's words and expression. But he sighed and shrugged.
"I guess if that's the only way to do it… But take us with you. I'm not going to sit her and let my little sister take on an entire base alone."
"Aw Sokka, I didn't know you could be so nice."
"Yeah well, don't get used to it. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm getting some grub. Even if it tastes like crap."
…
"Blech! This tastes like crap!"
"Where you expecting a five-course meal your highness? You take what you get and keep your mouth shut or you don't get anything else."
"Sheesh. Loads of fun you are."
"Forgive me if I'm a little hesitant to trust a 12-year-old kid who somehow got himself sent to the coal mines! I still don't know exactly how what you did."
"I didn't kill, so don't worry about that." He paused a surprisingly long time. He had a rather pained look on his face.
"I got into an argument at school and punched a kid."
Chit Sang snorted. "That's it? Sheesh, must've been some punch you gave. Why?"
"He got his history wrong."
"Wow. Little patriot here."
"That he is." Shyu nodded. "To the world."
"Ha! To the world? No easier way to get killed kid. It's either total loyalty to the Fire Nation or loyalty to nothing. You're totally on our side or you're in here." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess you could say I learned that the hard way."
Aang smiled. He could relate to that.
With another difficult day of coal mining and Shyu's failed attempts to lighten Aang's mood, the three finally got another hard-earned night's sleep. Or they would have if three guards hadn't walked into their quarters.
"sleeping on the job, eh kid? i guess i should criticize you, but heh. who am I to argue?"
"You guys, how the heck did-"
"Quite a story Avatar! First of all, I won over the heart of a fair- "
"You know, I suddenly lost all interest."
"But it's just getting good!"
Frisk put her fingers to her lips indicating shh! She then turned in surprise to the Fire Nation sage.
"Frisk! Good to see you again! Some friends you've made." He stared at the odd brothers.
"I don't care what they look like!" Chit Sang sat up excitedly. "If you can sneak us out, that's all that matters! You can sneak us out right?"
"Absolutely stinky man! I Papyrus will gladly-"
"Let's break them all out!"
"Wait, Avatar! you just interrupted another great monologue!"
Thank you! Frisk smiled gratefully at Aang.
"Let's give the Fire Nation a real headache! Tomorrow morning. We just need a riot." He looked about. "Anyone good at that?"
"Chit Sang smirked. "A prison riot? Please!"
…
"Suki! Your 24 hours are almost up! How goes the rescue?"
"Not good. These prisoners have almost all lost hope. But we think we might have a way to give them back their ability to fight!"
"How so? What's your plan?"
"Sokka's plan actually. It's quite brilliant. We've got a way to get the coal out to the holding area. Sokka's going to close up all the vents except the one that goes out there. The coal will be shot up and they can bend again!"
"Wow. I didn't think that guy had it in him. What do you want from us?"
"Wait in the shadows. When the attack begins, sneak in and get the guards from behind. They'll have nowhere to run."
Sure enough, as Sokka predicted, the coal finally poured out of the central vent and piled up at the bender's feet. Haru rose to his feet.
"Yes! Now's our chance! Come on! Let's flatten these losers! Dad? What are you doing?"
What were any of them doing? Not a thing. Even with a source of power right in front of them, they still hadn't the will to retaliate.
"What are you doing? Didn't you hear Suki? We're Earthbenders! We are the most determined people on Earth! And now we have the means to back it! So, stand up and fight! Fight for your lives!"
Still nothing. Haru was about to speak again, but his wrist was grabbed.
"Stupid brat. They lost their determination a long time ago. No one's going to fight. Not for a brat like you!" The guard raised his hand, covered in flame.
"Not my son, you bastard!"
A wave of coal was sent flying at the guard, knocking him to the ground.
"Finally! Let's rock them!"
"Rock them? Seriously Sokka?"
…
"Yes! Rock them! Rock them all! Show them the wrath of a thousand- Ow! Young lady, why'd you nib me in the chest again?"
"While I disagree with her physical display, I do agree that now is not the time for speeches Mr. Papyrus." Shyu looked about at the chaos unfolding.
"What better time than now? What greater time than when you have such a grand audience waiting to hear of your noble tales?"
"Actually, that's more likely to get them to sock you in the head and still from you." Chit Sang walked over dusting his hands and turning to the Avatar.
"That enough of a riot for you?"
Aang looked about. For some reason, the thrill of the shouting, the fighting, the violence: It all made him excited. He wondered what Gyatso would have to say about that.
"I guess that'll have to do. Now we just need to hope that Sans remembers his job."
"hey, give me a little credit kid. i'm not a total airhead. heh? heh?"
Chit Sang shook his head to make sure he heard right. Frisk rubbed her forehead, and Shyu looked at Aang embarrassed.
"Let's just…. go."
It was a surprisingly easy escape. Even without the ability to use their airbending, the guards didn't prove much problem. Aang observed in particular Frisk's methods. Her stealth tricks. How she took them out before they even knew she was there.
Mr. Sans, maybe a little help, she said with her fingers to Sans.
He just shrugged.
"reckon it's best for the youngsters to get in some exercise. you're welcome."
Too soon, they found themselves out of the cave and in the surrounding forest, catching their breath.
"Aang, you saved my life. I can never thank you enough."
Frisk made a coughing sound.
"And you as well Frisk. All of you, I thank you. You too Chit Sang. Your impressive riot helped us escape."
"You wanna thank us old man? Then help us get down the river! There's a village we can hide in!"
"ah that's the spirit. a nice cruise down a gentle stream. plenty of time to stretch out after a hard day's work."
Chit Sang looked at Sans. "Dude, you didn't do anything."
"exactly! and doing nothing while everyone else is doing something takes skill my man!" He winked.
…
"My brothers, these last few years have been difficult for us. We lost our freedom, our homes, and worst of all, our determination. You all know this as do I, the pain we experienced in our entrapment. We lost our way, and believed it was the end for us all. For our people. Our way of life." Tyro looked about at his fellow men. His eyes streaked with tears.
"That changes today. With the help of these brave children, we have found a way to restore our purpose in life! The power to take back our homes, our way of life!" He raised his hands to sky and a cheer rose from his friends.
"And so, we march! To retake our homes and earn EXP!"
"EXP? What is that? Some kind of sandwich?"
"Err no Sokka. My dad is talking about increasing power."
"Oh well as long as power comes through peace, I'm ok with that?" Katara smiled at Haru
"Yeah. Peace. Say Katara. Would you come with us?"
"Come with you? You mean to free the other earthbender villages?"
"Yes. Exactly! To make the Earth kingdom, no the whole world a safer place!"
"Well, I don't know. We were planning to head to the Northern Water Tribe. To reunite with our northern brethren. And maybe even find our father."
"We can do all of that! We reunite the Earth Kingdom and we can totally reunite the Water Tribes! We could help everyone! Do you really want to pass that up?"
Katara paused. She always had a plan. A goal for the future. Reunite their family. Keep it together. Was she really ready to toss that all aside and go a different way? She clutched her mother's necklace.
"Aw look at my little sister. All torn up. No idea how to handle it. Just like… oh I don't know. Every other day."
"That's so sweet of you to mock your sibling."
"Hey I'm not mocking her! I'm merely stating the obvious. Kinda like how I stated the obvious how amazing you are."
"Oh really? That's a far cry from our first encounter."
"Yeah. I was dumb to say that. But you… You're amazing! Your speech. Your planning. Your moves… Heck, I could never do that."
"Hey, who's plan was it to get the coal into the holding area? You're kind of cool yourself."
He smiled. It sure helped to hear an occasional reference to his awesomeness. Not that he needed it mind you!
"Well, I thank you. From one non-bender to another."
Her smile faded at that, before she quickly recollected herself.
"Right. Non-Benders. What exactly is it you have against benders again?"
"Nothing against the people. But I stick by what I said before. The world would be better without it. everyone on an equal plane. Judged only by their worth." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "That's why I like you. Us normal got to stick together. Show them we're worth something. That we've got a little determination of our own."
She forced herself to smile.