"Yes! We're here! Now we can finally get some answers."
"Sokka, I still can't picture you to be the library type. Maybe you should wait outside. Don't wanna have another library sink into the earth."
"Haha. Very funny, Toph."
"Guys, we have no time to horse around. Let's get in there and get the info we need. Appa? Momo? You two will have to stay out here, okay?"
The air bison and the lemur nodded their heads to Aang. Aang patted them both on the head.
"Good boys. Let's go in, you guys." Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph walked up the stairs to the entrance of the gigantic Sacred Library, home of the Great Sage. Many legends spawned from the great library that was built 2500 years ago. Some say the library was cursed by ghosts and demons whose knowledge was stolen from a corrupt librarian and demand their knowledge back. Others mention that the Great Sage was over a thousand years old. Some even said that it's not even human. Despite the legends, all the Aang gang cared about was finding a way to stop the Dark Inferno Clan right at its tracks.
The gang was awestruck as they tilted their heads and took in the vast knowledge all around them. The library was at least eighteen stories tall and there were so many shelves of books that it's almost impossible to count. Hundreds and hundreds of people filled the library, eager to read whatever they can find, but all of them were as quiet as a mouse. If Momo was inside the library, he would have a blast flying through all the vast space in the center.
"This place is… enormous. Not as big as the one in the desert, but it's still so huge. Where do we start?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, Aang," Sokka said.
"What we really need is a guide to this place. Finding the main office shouldn't be that hard." Katara said.
"May I help you?"
Aang and his friends turn their attention to the newcomer. A young handsome man politely took off his hat and bowed to the group.
"My name is Chen. The Great Sage is eager to see you. Please, follow me."
Aang and his friends were startled by Chen's words. How did the Sage already know of their coming? Could he be psychic? Instead of asking themselves questions, the gang followed Chen to the main office. When he got behind the desk of the main office, Chen pulled a lever. A pair of bookshelves pulled apart from each other, revealing a secret path.
"… The Great Sage prefers to stay in her quarters. She's not too comfortable about going out to the public world and revealing her face. Please follow me." Chen walked in. After giving each other a cautious look, the Aang gang walked inside.
888
"A sea dragon from the lands of Mitsubishi."
"Incorrect. Try again."
"A mutated saber-toothed moose lion."
"Wrong answer."
"The first Avatar?"
"Nope."
While Cail tried to think up more answers to Toyota's riddle, the disguised ninjas gathered around a campfire and talked amongst themselves. Nightingale threw a ball of fire out of her hand to feed the campfire.
"That idiot has been trying to find an answer for over an hour now. We should have already been inside Zhang and accomplishing the task at hand! If this were my day off, I'd be taking a nice bubble-bath right now."
The other ninjas looked away from Nightingale and blushed, picturing her getting naked and slowly stepping into a nice tub. None of them ever admitted it, but Nightingale was one of the most beautiful female ninjas in the entire clan. From head to toe, her lovely body was the epitome of excellence. The ninjas in disguise tried to fight off such thoughts, putting their allegiance to Lord Blackburn ahead of their attraction to one of his lieutenants. Her long black hair flowed in the wind so nicely.
The sounds of over a dozen bodies dropping caught the attention of Toyota, falling one by one. Right before turning around to see what's going on at the top of the Great Wall, a ninja with pale eyes and no pupils jumped off the Great Wall and landed right on Toyota's shoulders. The ninja quickly chopped both sides of Toyota's neck with his very hands. As Toyota fell to his knees and flat on his face, the newcomer leapt off his body and landed gracefully in front of Cail. Cail smirked and laughed to himself.
"Well done, Silence. You've done your part perfectly." Cail said. Nightingale and the other ninjas got up to see a new turn of events.
"Cail, what's going on here? Why is that daredevil interfering with the mission?"
"Nightingale, you fool. Silence is part of the mission. We were to provide the distraction for the guards while Silence disposed of them." Cail and the ninjas threw off their disguises and revealed their true ninja guise. Growling to herself for not being let in on all the details of the mission, Nightingale revealed her ninja guise as well. Cail prepared to run up the wall.
"Now, my brethrens! It's time for us to kill the Avatar!" Just when Cail was about to head up the wall, Silence quickly blocked his path and held out his right hand.
"What are you doing, Silence? Get out of the way." Silence shook his head. Angered by his defiance, Cail got into his combat position and had fire burn out of his very hands.
"I'm not going to ask you again, young one. Come with us to destroy the Avatar or die here…" Cail threatened. Still leaving his hand out to block their way, Silence let his pale eyes literally burn with fury. Knowing of Silence's fascinating fire-bending abilities, all the ninjas stepped back from what would be a very deadly fire-bending duel.
"Wait. I think I know what Silence trying to tell us." Nightingale said. Reluctantly, Cail and Silence lowered their guard. Nightingale stood face-to-face with the young fire-bending prodigy named Silence, but she had no intention to fight. Her lovely green eyes looked into Silence's eyes, studying his facial expression.
"... That's what Lord Blackburn wants? Is that what you're trying to tell us?" Nightingale asked, her face blushing from what Silence told her nonverbally.
Silence nodded his head. Nightingale turned her attention to her superior.
"Cail. Lord Blackburn has new orders for us to carry out. Silence said that we have to take the Avatar… alive."
"What? This is absurd! We're better off-"
"Are you willing to defy Lord Blackburn? You know what he does to those who dared to defy him." Cail gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
"… Very well. You have your new orders, ninjas. Let's go."
In a flash, all the ninjas sprinted up the Great Wall with ease. Nightingale smiled to herself, happy about the change of plans.
888
"Greetings, young ones. I am the Great Sage, Wing Shu. It is a pleasure to see you all." Despite her gentle voice, Aang, Katara, and Sokka trembled in horror and took a few steps back. Not even her beautiful chambers could distract them from the very sight of the sage. Feeling fear all over them made Toph wear a question mark over her head.
"What's wrong with you guys? She sounds like a nice lady," Toph said.
"Toph, if you can see her you'd be shaking as well. She's not human. She's a GIGANTIG LIGHT-BROWN OWL!" Aang said.
"… She's even BIGGER than the other owl we had to face back in the desert," Katara said, hiding behind Sokka, who was hiding behind a column.
The owl laughed to herself.
"Oh no no, children. You have nothing to worry about. My brother back in the desert, unfortunately, has a dislike for humans. I, however, prefer to continue studying such a peculiar race. Unlike my brother, I'm not giving up on humanity just yet. Please, have a seat. Have some crackers and dumplings."
Aang, Katara and Sokka were taken aback from the Sage's sense of hospitality. Reluctantly, all the teens sat in their comfy seats and took a bite of their treats.
"… Thank you, wise one. We apologize for our rudeness. And we thought you'd be a man. We apologize for that as well.
"Wing Shu, we come to ask you information about the Dark Inferno Clan. The clan is trying to kill us all, and we have to stop them before they succeed. Will you help us?" Aang asked.
"Apology accepted. You are very brave for someone so young, willing to face evil despite the odds. Avatar, have you ever heard of the old saying 'There's no such thing as black and white, only shades of gray?'"
"Yes, wise one. That's what the air-bending monks have taught me."
"The Dark Inferno Clan is as black as they come. The Fire Nation has been well known for creating the art of ninjutsu and establishing numerous ninja cults to serve the Fire Lord for countless generations. Ninjutsu is the martial arts discipline of stealth and assassination. They can move in and kill off a target without making a sound. Those who live by the way of the ninja care nothing about honor. They only care about getting the job done. Period.
"The Dark Inferno Clan is by far the most feared and vicious of all the other ninja clans within the Fire Nation. Their combination of mastering fire-bending, weapons, and cunning makes the clan a true force to be reckoned with. Unlike the other ninja cults, however, the Dark Infernos have a twisted sense of honor. When there's a dispute between two members, they don't try to kill one other when opportunity comes. Instead, they duel to the death. The one who dies regains his honor while the one who wins makes his honor grow even more. Their sense of unpredictability truly brings fear to those who faced the Clan. And here's another fact: every mission the Dark Infernos were given was a success. Not once have they ever failed to carry one out, from infiltration to assassination."
"For the first time, it feels like we're way in over our heads here." Toph said, clenching her fist. With all that information, Toph started to feel that the Dai Lee back in Ba Sing Se was a bunch of pussycats compared to the Dark Infernos!
"But there has to be some way to stop them! There MUST!" Aang said.
"Well, there is… one way."
"What is it? Come on, SPILL it!" Sokka said.
"You must kill the warlord of the Dark Inferno Clan."
Her answer had all their hearts freeze.
"Kill the ninja cult's warlord? You're expecting us to head into the lion's den and bring down the head of the pride?" Sokka asked.
"It's the only way to stop the dark tide of the Dark Infernos. Kill the leader, and the rest of the clansmen will lose their lust for your blood."
"Where will we find the home base of the Dark Infernos?" Aang aksed.
"In the Fire Nation's very capital. There is a hidden path in the end of a dark alley nearby the Agni Kai Colliseum. You cannot miss it." None of the teens liked her answers, but they had no other choice but to accept them. Aang and the rest got up from their seats. Aang placed his fist in his palm and bowed to the Great Sage, Wing Shu.
"Thank you, wise one. You've been of great help to us. Is there any way we can repay you?' Aang asked.
"Well, there is one way. Be my guests. Feel free to treat my home as if it's yours." The Great Sage gasped.
"…Oh, I almost forgot. You're still uncomfortable with this very image you see before me. To make you more comfortable, I'll take my human form." A thick white mist circled all around the Great Sage and consumed her completely. When the mist disappeared, the form of a huge owl was no longer present. Instead, there stood a beautiful young woman with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. Her body was very curvy under her lovely red dress, and she had the biggest pair of breasts Aang and Sokka have ever seen.
"Will this form do for you?" Wing Shu asked so kindly.
Staring at Wing Shu, Aang and Sokka slowly grinned and nodded their heads.
"I like that form a lot..."Aang said, grin widening.
"I'm all yours you HOT MOMMA!" Sokka said. Toph and Katara grabbed the boys by the back of their collars and dragged them away from the Great Sage. The boys kicked and screamed, demanding to stay overnight in the sage's personal quarters.
"We'll just stay at an Inn. Thanks for your hospitality, though," Katara said.
"Yeah. Thanks, old lady," Toph added. Eventually, the whole gang left her personal quarters. The Great Sage felt her eye twitch.
"Did she just call me… old?"
888
"Ah, customers. Welcome to the Happy Swallow Inn. You're very lucky there's still vacancy here. How may I help you?"
"Two rooms for two, please." Katara said
"Of course. Rooms 512 and 428 are available. The stable for your air bison is available as well. The payment will be one thousand zennies per night for the two rooms and additional one thousand for the stable."
Aang gave the host of the Inn a bag full of two thousand zennies. The host politely handed them the keys.
"Thank you. Here are your keys. And don't worry about your air bison and lemur. They'll be shown just as much hospitality as you will all receive."
"Thanks, mister. Let's get to our rooms!" Aang said, filled with excitement. The whole gang began to run to the flight of stairs.
"Oh. One more thing!"
"What is it, mister?" Aang asked.
"Don't forget about tonight. Tonight is the Firefly Festival. There's going to be a lot of dancing, games, food and so much more! Be sure to be in your nicest attire when the sun falls. Have fun, kids!"
All of the gang got to their rooms and settled right in. Aang and Sokka took room 428 while Katara and Toph took 512. In 428, Aang and Sokka lied comfortably in their beds.
"Oh, man. I was really hoping we'd stay at the Sacred Library. You have to admit: Wing Shu was one fine catch! She has the finest set or racks…" Sokka said dreamily.
"Well, you can have her if you want. I already found that special someone."
"Oh, I see. Well, good luck with her, Aang. I'm sure she'll have a fun time with you," Sokka, picturing Aang hooking up with Katara.
"Yeah. She's… just perfect," Aang said, dreaming about having Toph in his arms. Aang decided to change the subject.
"Hey, Sokka. I have to ask you: where did you get those new boomerangs? They look way cooler than the usual one you always had."
"To tell you the truth, Aang, I have no idea."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"I know, but it's true. One morming, when I woke up, they were sitting in front of me. It's like someone read my mind and made them just for me."
"You're one lucky dude, Sokka. Maybe you'll even be luckier tonight. You might get to find that special someone as well."
"Well, I don't know. Suki's still out there. And so is Ty Lee. And there are those poetry girls back at Ba Sing Se. And let's not leave out Azula. She's a major babe …"
While the boys talk on, Katara and Toph were tidying themselves up in their own room.
"Uh, Toph?"
"Yeah, Katara?"
"I'm… I'm sorry about earlier. I was way out of line when I used water-bending on you back at the forest. I'm not going to use my bending against you ever again."
"Apology accepted, Katara. Let's just put it all behind us and have a good time tonight. What do you say?"
"No argument here, Toph." The girls finally shook hands, letting bygones be bygones.
"Best of friends. No matter what?" Toph asked.
"No matter what, Toph," Katara answered.
888
As the sun was starting to set, a group of 23 earth-bending soldiers marched down the streets of Zhang. All of them marched as one, moving like one incredible machine that's ready to protect Zhang at all costs. Some of the children were awed by the armor and the composure of the soldiers, looking as though they were indestructible.
One young boy playing earth-bending soccer noticed one thing about one of the soldiers. One of them had pale eyes. When that soldier looked at the boy staring at him, the soldier let his eye flare with fire. The boy felt chills run down his skin and ran off.
"How long are we going to carry out this charade? Waiting to strike at the Avatar irritates me," Nightingale said through her helmet. Cail was grateful that all the armor they stole from the defeated earth-bending soldiers fit perfectly on his fellow ninjas. Yet, Nightingale still dares to complain. Cail shook his head.
"You are so full of impatience and anxiety, Nightingale. The Firefly Festival is only hours away, and we will use it to our advantage. When the Avatar lets his guard down to enjoy the night, we will apprehend him and take him to Fire Nation.
"For the past two thousand years, the Dark Inferno Clan has never failed one mission, Nightingale. Do not let your lack of patience interfere with it. Understand?" Cail asked. Nightingale bit her lip and looked away from her superior. She may detest him, but she dared not test his patience. Besides, his fire-bending skills clearly surpassed hers.
"Yes, I understand. Forgive me for showing such weakness." Cail snorted and turned away from the black-haired beauty. A gentle hand was placed on Nightingale's shoulder. The beautiful ninja in disguise softly placed her hand on it.
"Thank you for understanding me, Silence. It's just that the Avatar… distracts me. He's young, yet beautiful. Ever since I helped take Chameleon away from the Head Bangers Arena, I couldn't shake the Avatar off. I tried to think that killing the Avatar was the right thing to do, but I just couldn't imagine doing it even if I had the chance.
"I want him all to myself! When we bring him to our lair and present him to Lord Blackburn, the Avatar will be mine…"