Chapter 12

Kari looked at the flame in his hand, "We can resolve this peacefully…"

"Yes, we can. By giving me the boy."

"He just had quite an experience. At such a young age the Avatar State drained him of most of his energy."

"That just means less of a struggle for us."

"I can't let that happen," Kari growled, the earth hut rumbling, cracks appeared in the ceiling.

"Now now Earthbender, one pebble in my direction and that will be seen as a declaration of war…am I clear?"

She froze…he was right. If he attacked her it wouldn't be seen as war because she had no diplomatic rights. He was the Fire Lord on the other hand…

"But you can't just take him! He needs to earn his Mastery in Earthbending, think about the cycle."

"My dear that is all I am thinking about."

"Disrupting it?!"

"Precisely"

The Fire Lord brushed past her and reached for Aangs collar. He barely had close his grip when an intense wind howled through the hut.

"What in the spirits?!"

A flash of something sped by them both and before they could look again it was gone…and so was Aang.

"WHAT!" Kari and Sozin both exclaimed. The Fire Lord tore out of the hut, hollering orders to his guards, steaming flowing from his nostrils, "We need to find him before it arrives! We don't have long, I can feel it."

This confused Kari but not as much as a small scroll she found oddly in her hand. She quickly unrolled it and read:

I have Aang. We will proceed immediately to Omashu for his Earthbending test. We will be safe there. I will notify the Order, Sozin has stepped over the line for the last time.

Gyatso

The Earthbender let out a sigh of relief now that she knew Aang was out of harm's way and headed for safety. Kari felt the Pai Sho tile in her pocket and also decided to write a few letters.

Gyatso let out a shrill whistle that only Sky Bison could interpret as a calling. Appa met them on the northern beach of the island. Gyatso sped to the saddle.

"We must get Aang to safety. Fly like you never have!"

Aang kicked off with his tail and immediately flew north. Even in the dimming light, Appa did not slow. He knew something was wrong ever since the smell of coal permeated the normally fresh air of Kyoshi Island. The old man was yelling something to Appa, he only understood the word Omashu so he set course as he and Aang had been there several times.

They flew almost until dawn until the familiar steep city of Omashu appeared after flying over a mountain peak. Several people dressed in robes with a White Lotus patterened on met them in the courtyard.

"The Avatar is safe?" said a tan, bearded man.

"Yes. Though had I not sensed the danger right away, we may not have him."

"Fire Lord Sozin will pay dearly for this."

"He will face justice. Though we do need to coax him into the first attack. His attempt to kidnap the Avatar is not seen as an attack on any one nation."

Aang was finally beginning to stir, sitting up and groaning.

"My…my head hurts. Did I drop a boulder on my head?"

"I will explain later Aang. For now, I need to ask you something.."

"Sure Gyatso."

"What did you learn from Avatar Roku in the Sanctuary?"

Aang looked at him with a horrified look and explained what the wise Avatar had revealed to him. He also explained his nightmares of burning temples and a traitor amongst the Nomads.

"Those are no mere dreams Aang, you are seeing glimpses of the future. It would sound like Sozin will achieve what he wants with this Comet. We need to save our race though and make it seem like he wiped us all out."

"No. I will change this. He will not wipe out my people trying to find me."

The Order members and Gyatso all stared at Aang for quite a while, until Gyatso once again spoke.

"We need to precede quickly with your Earthbending Mastery tests and then we shall visit the Eastern Air Temple. Meet us here tomorrow at dawn Aang."

Aang bowed. During the conversation he realized he was in Omashu and excitedly hurried off to find Bumi. After Aang had disappeared toward the Palace Gyatso turned back to the White Lotus members and pulled out a scroll.

"We need to strike the Fire Nation before they strike us. It is against my society's ways to promote violence but luckily we had a lengthy debate and for the good of the world we will follow through providing the other nations agree."

Gyato unrolled it on a table. The title read: Operation Eclipse.