nightelf37: Remember, only the plot, the Shisnos, and a few other characters belong to me.
Chapter 12: The Blue Spirit
One moonless night…
Several towers were connected by the walls of a Fire Nation fortress. All were manned and have fires burning in them. There were Fire Nation ships in the water beyond the fortress. Within the walls, several fierce looking archers pracitced. Their faces were painted either for decoration, camouflage or both. They released volley after volley of arrows which struck their archery range targets dead center. Successive arrows split the one already occupying the bulls eye right down the middle of its shaft. Overlooking the archers on a tower were Commander Zhao and another official.
"Absolutely not.", the official said. "The Yu Yan archers stay here. Your request is denied Commander Zhao."
"Colonel Shinu, please reconsider.", Zhao pleaded. "Their precision is legendary. The Yu Yan can pin a fly to a tree from a hundred yards away—without killing it. You're wasting their talents using them as mere security guards."
"I can do whatever I want with their talents. They're my archers and what I say goes."
"But my search for the Avatar is—"
"—Is nothing but a vanity project! We're fighting a real war here and I need every man I've got, Commander."
"But—"
"That's final! I don't want to hear another word about it."
Zhao grumbled from his denial. Just then, a red messenger hawk swooped down into the tower. It landed on Colonel Shinu's outstretched arm. He untied a message from its back and it flew away. As the Colonel gasped in horror, Zhao approached from behind and took the message.
"News from Fire Lord Ozai?", Zhao said with a smile. "It appears I've been promoted to Admiral. My request is now an order."
Seeing that Zhao is now above his rank, Shinu bowed and exited. While the archers continued practicing, two mysterious figures sat atop the tower, listening. They then left.
Z—S—?—?—Z—S—?—? (Zhao, Shinu, Unknown, Unknown) (1)
Elsewhere, later…
It was a cloudy dawn at a hillside strewn with broken boulders. Below were remnants of a decaying ghost town; the Ruins of Taku. The Gaang were camping at an enclosed, temple-like structure overlooking the decaying town below and the hillside beyond. Sokka and Aixata were in sleeping bags, resting on Appa, whose saddle as set down. Idano was teaching Sneers how to play RPS-7 (2). The latter and Shyu were wearing some sort of face mask under Idano's advice. Aang just returned from his search for ginger root to use for tea to remedy the sickness. Katara wiped the foreheads of the two with a wet cloth while Momo played around their heads.
"This should bring your fever down.", she said.
"You know what I love about Appa the most?", Sokka told feverishly. "His sense of humor."
"That's nice. I'll tell him."
Appa grunted at Sokka in response to what he said.
"Haha! Classic Appa.", Aixata laughed deliriously.
"How're they doing?", Shyu asked as he walked over.
"Not so good.", Katara answered. "Being out in that storm really did a number on them."
"I couldn't find any ginger root for the tea, but I found a map.", Aang said as he produced a scroll. As he spreads out the scroll on the ground, he continued, "There's an herbalist institute on the top of that mountain. We could probably find a cure for Sokka and Aixata there."
"Aang, he's in no condition to travel.", Katara replied. "They just need more rest. I'm sure he'll be better by tomorrow." Just then, she began to cough as well.
"Not you too!"
"Relax, it was just a little cough. I'm fi—" She cut herself off with more coughing. Aang shielded himself from her violent coughing and Shyu walked a distance away.
"That's how Sokka and Aixata started yesterday.", Idano gasped. "Now look at my sister…she thinks she's an earthbender!"
"Take that, you rock!", she rambled as she swung at something that wasn't there.
"A few more hours and you'll be talking nonsense too.", Aang added as he got up and grabbed his staff. "I'm going to find some medicine."
"I'm coming with you, Aang.", Idano said as he joined the airbender, both ready to fly. Just then, there was a huge flash of lightning. Thinking better of it, Aang twirled shut his glider and Idano closed his wings.
"Maybe it's safer if we go on foot.", Aang suggested as he put the glider aside. Idano took out a pair of shoes, and put them on after removing his boots.
"Keep an eye on them, guys.", Idano called to Sneers and Shyu. "And don't take off those masks until I say so."
After the two nodded, Aang launched himself into the air with his airbending and Idano did so to with the help of his shoes.
Once they were gone, Sokka rambled deliriously, "Haha! You guys are killin' me!"
S—K—I—Z—I—A—M—A
On the Seeker…
Inside the bridge, Lt. Jee and Zuko were looking at a map, trying to determine something. A short distance away, Iroh, Lodge, and Rance were playing Pai Sho. Larch and Moritz were watching the three.
"We haven't been able to pick up the Avatar's trail since the storm.", Jee said. "But, if we continue heading northeast—"
Just then, a Fire Navy ship, bigger than the Seeker, passing them to starboard, headed the opposite direction. Everyone on the bridge stared at it. Onicus (the helmsman) halted the ship.
"What do they want?", Moritz asked curiously.
"Perhaps a sporting game of Pai Sho!", Iroh answered hopefully.
"Perhaps not.", Rance replied as he moved another piece.
Z—I—M—L—L—O—J—R (Zuko, Iroh, Moritz, Lodge, Larch, Onicus, Jee, Rance)
"The hunt for the Avatar has been given prime importance.", said the herald from the other ship as he revealed a "Wanted!" poster of Aang to Zuko. He then lowered the scroll and handed it to one of the guards escorting him. "All information regarding the Avatar must be reported directly to Admiral Zhao.
Iroh made a move on the Pai Sho board and remarked, "Zhao has been promoted? Well, good for him!"
"Wrong maneuver, Lodge.", Larch muttered as his comrade made a move on the Pai Sho board.
Zuko answered sullenly to the herald. "I've got nothing to report to Zhao. Now get off my ship and let us pass."
"Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area."
"Off my ship!", Zuko insisted.
As the herald and his guards left, Iroh smiled as he mad one more move and won the game.
"Excellent!", he said as he leaned forward and gathered all the chips on the table "I take the pot."
"I screwed it up.", sighed Lodge as he slapped his face.
"But you're all improving.", Iroh said with a tone of fair play. "I'm certain you will win if we play again."
"Okay.", Rance sighed. "But my shift's in five minutes, so this better be done by then."
S—K—I—Z—I—A—M—A
At a mountain path close to the village ruins…
Two Fire Nation lookouts were posted in a treehouse. While one was surveying the area with a telescope, another was reading Aang's wanted poster.
"Says here that the Avatar can create tornados and run faster than the wind.", said the second lookout. "Pretty amazing."
"Ehh, that's just a bunch of Fire Lord propaganda.", scoffed the first as he turned to his colleague. "There's no way that's true."
As the first lookout turned back to his telescope, he suddenly saw a cloud of dust rocket through one of the path's bends in his view. As the dust cloud rocketed through the second bend, he saw a person in silver clothes and grey shorts leaping great distances in a single bound. As the figure bounded over the lookout, the dust cloud zoomed past the lookout, toppling the two over. Quickly, the first lookout blew his horn to alert nearby forts that the Avatar was close by.
A—I—A—I—A—I—A—I—A—I (Aang, Idano)
Bck at the abandoned temple…
Appa et al. were resting. Sokka and Aixata were still shaking feverishly in their sleeping bags and Katara was forced into one as well. Shyu and Sneers, with their masks still on, were keeping them as comfortable as possible.
"Katara…please…water…"
"Oh, no.", Sneers muttered. "They're geing worse by the hour. I hope Idano and Aang have found the medicine."
"Sneers.", Shyu said as he handed him a water skin. "I need you to take this to the river and fill it with water."
"Doesn't Idano have a big bottle of water?"
"He wasn't able to fill it up since the Great Divide."
"Sheesh.", grumbled Sneers as he took the skin and ran off to do his errand.
S—K—A—S—S—S—K—A—S—S (Sokka, Katara, Aixata, Shyu, Sneers)
Elsewhere, Idano and Aang finslly made it to the herbalist institute, which was, like Aang said, on top of a mountain. The inside of the building was filled with trees, bushes, and flowers. An old woman wearing a clothes with a pale green scheme was tending to someting on the table. A white fluffy cat was next to her. (3)
Aang was about to rush to her and speak up, but Idano used Thoughtbending to soothe his mind. The Shisno then walked over to the Herbalist.
"Uhh…ma'am?", he asked nicely.
May I help you with something, young man?", the Herbalist asked.
"We're sorry to barge in like this, but we need some medicine for our friends."
"What's their sickness?"
"They have fevers, they've been coughing and some are already hallucinating.", Idano explained as Aang went beside him.
"Ah. I know that disease. Don't worry about it. They'll be fine." As the Herbalist walked over to another table where the cat is sitting, she continued, "I've been up here for over forty years you know, used to be others, but they all left years ago. Now it's just me and Miyuki."
"That's nice.", Aang said impatiently.
"Wounded Earth Kingdom troops still come by now and again, brave boys, and thanks to my remedies they always leave in better shape they when they arrive."
"What are you preparing?", Idano asked.
"Don't worry. I just need to add one last ingredient.". As the Herbalist walked amongst the shrubbery, she looked around and muttered to herself. "Oh, sandalwood oh, er, uh, that won't do, banana leaf? Ah, nope, uh, ginger root, uh uh, oh where is that pesky little plant?""
"Wait here, Aang.", the Shisno told the airbender. "I'm gonna look for some plant Aixata may find useful for medicine on other sicknesses. She's into the subject of medicine back where we came from."
S—K—I—Z—I—A—M—A
Late sunset at the Seeker…
As the vessel steamed by the shore, Zuko practiced his firebending and Moritz his soundbending. Back at the storm, Zuko had noticed his Private's 'strange' bending and demanded answers. Naturally, Moritz explained, leaving out a few miscellneous details, adding in false ones, and requested the secret be confided only between the two and Iroh. Just then, said general cme over to the two.
"Is everything okay?", Iroh asked. "It's been almost an hour and you haven't given the men an order."
"I don't care what they do." Zuko said as he looked away out to sea.
"Don't give up hope yet. You can still find the Avatar before Zhao."
Zuko turned to his uncle, desperation and fear on his face, and asked, "How, Uncle? With Zhao's resources it's just a matter of time before he captures the Avatar. My honor, my throne, my country, I'm about to lose them all."
Moritz put a hand on the Prince's shoulder with a face of concern, but Zuko brushed it off.
S—K—I—Z—I—A—M—A
Back at the herbaist institute…
The Herbalist finally found the 'last ingredient' for whateer she was concocting.
"Here's what I was looking for! Plum blossom!"
As she grabbed one, Idano came back with a handful of ingredients stuffed into pocket-like packages made of leaves. As he then stuffed it into a 'secret copartment', Aang, whose head on the table were Miyuki sat, got up, sighing, "Finally!"
Just before Aang could grab the bowl from the Herbalist, Idano tossed a twig and it kncked itself on Aang's head.
"Don't be too impatient, Aang!", Idano said. "She's old and she can't handle hurriers like you. Besides, that may not be the medicine for your friends. It may be a medicine for somebody else, a 'supplement' for her food, or even—"
"Dinner for my dear Miyuki.", the Herbalist finished as she placed the bowl on the table in front of the cat, whom she then petted. As Miyuki began to eat and purr, the Herbalist commented. "Plum blossom is her favorite."
"What about our friends?", Aang asked.
"Well, all they need is some frozen wood frogs. There's plenty of them down in the valley swamp."
"What am I supposed to do with frozen frogs?"
"Why, suck on them of course!"
Aang (shocked): "Suck on them!", gasped Idano.
"The frog's skin excretes a substance that'll cure your friends, but make sure you get plenty. Once those little critters thaw out, they're useless!"
"You're insane aren't you?", Aang asked after a few seconds of silence.
"Thaaat's right."
"Let's go, Aang.", Idano said as he pulled the airbender with him out of the institute.
The moment the two were outside the building, they saw arrows flying to their direction and those landed on their feet. Just then, another volley arched toward them from above. Aang airbended a shell of wind around him knocking all the arrows aside. Aang then pulled one of the arrows out of the ground and offered it to someone he couldn't see.
"Uhh, I think you dropped this.", Aang offered as Idano 'deployed' Aranea and Kochu to collect the arrows and place them in his secret compartment for later use. Just then, Aang gasped as he saw the archers in the surrounding trees. They launched another volley of arrows and the two evaded them. Aang and Idano made their way to the gate, only to see it blocked by archers. They fire, but they dodged and ran in the opposite direction. Dodging hails of arrows, the two off the cliff at the back of the institute. The archers followed, trying to shoot them down.
"This is insane!", Idano said as he turned around and started blasting them with his 'air blasters' (4).
As they all approached the canopy beneath, Aang slowed his fall with his hood, and Idano opened his wings at the last moment, jetting into the trees. The archers fired in mid flight, sending anchor ropes into the nearby trees as they fall so they could swing after Aang and Idano.
"What the ****?", the Shisno exclaimed as he and Aang finally made it to the swamp.
As the two landed in the water, Aang emerged with a froen wood frog. However, it was knocked out of his hands by an arrow. The airbender quickly got to work on collecting frogs dodging arrows al the way. As for Idano, he was still in the water, using some sort of suction device to absorb the frogs' substance on their skin. Just as he has managed to collect enough, he was pinned to the water by a net.
Aang was not having much luck either with the archers. The second he got to a log rising out of the water, an arrow pinned his right arm to it. It was soon joined by several more. The archers fired another volley, but Aang waterbended a wall of ice in front of him. The arrows shattered the ice. Another volley was fired, pinning Aang's left arm, followed by a net that covered his upper body. The archers then approached him and bound him up real tight with ropes. Idano was tied up as well, and was shoved next to Aang.
A—I—A—I—A—I—A—I—A—I
In the Fire Nation fortress…
Aang and Idano were back-to-back with their arms stretched out, and kept secured by chains, strong enough for Idano to not be able to break them. The chains were also tied to two stone pillars that have fires on their crests. Aang faced the door, which was guarded by four soldiers, who then walked out of the way as Admiral Zhao walked into the room towards Aang, hands behind his back.
"So this is the great Avatar?", Zhao said as he circled the two. "Master of all the elements. I don't know how you've managed to elude the Fire Nation for a hundred years, but your little game of hide and seek is over."
"I've never hidden from you.", Aang replied. "Untie me and I'll fight you right now!"
"Uhh, no. Tell me, how does it feel to be the only airbender left? Do you miss your people?" Aang dropped his head in sorrow. "Oh, don't worry, you won't be killed like they were." Aang looked up again in anger. "See, if you die you'll just be reborn and the Fire Nation will have to being its search for the Avatar all over again. So, I'll keep you alive…but just barely."
Zhao turned to leave, still smirking.
Aang blew a gale force wind, knocking Zhao into the wall where he collapsed in a heap. He shook his head to clear his vision and stood up.
"Blow all the wind you want!", Zhao said. "Your situation is futile. There is no escaping this fortress…and no one is coming to rescue you."
With that, the Admiral exited the room, slamming the door behind him.
"I wonder why I was imprisoned with you as well?", Idano wondered to himself.
"Perhaps those assassins I met back at the river near Gaipan told Zhao about you."
"Perhaps. Anyway, Aang, imprisoning you was the worst idea he could ever think of."
"Why would you think that?", Aang asked. "With me in their grasp, they no longer have to worry about the Avatar being reborn."
"If he really thought it through, he would realize it's extremely unlikely that a newborn baby would have time to master one element, let alone all four, and kill you off."
"I think the Fire Nation was rightly afraid that after waiting a hundred years to get their hands on me, it wouldn't be worth it to have another Avatar on the loose within a month."
"Perhaps. Maybe he wants to show you to the Fire Lord so he can kill you himself. As for me, I'd probably be sold out to the assassins. *sigh* if only somebody would come and rescue us…"
I—A—Z—I—A—Z—I—A—Z (Idano, Aang, Zhao)
Back at the abandoned temple…
The Katara, Aixata, and Sokka were snuggled up in their sleeping bags which lie between Appa's feet. As Shyu tended to the fire, Sokka had a coughing fit.
"Water…", Sokka mumbled
"Sneers should be back any minute, guys.", the former Sage said. Just then, Sneers returned with the now-filled-up water skin.
"I got it.", he said as he gave the water to the three.
"*sigh* Aang, Idano, what in the world is taking you so long?", Shyu wondered.
S—K—A—S—S—S—K—A—S—S
Nightfall outside the fortress…
The two mysterious figures from last night stood watch at the fortress. The first was wearing all dark-green concealing his body and hair. He also wore a blue 'theater' mask. The other wore a full body suit themed with a mix of greys, browns, and greens. (5) The only thing he wore to conceal his identity was a black cowl.
"Are you sure that's a good disguise?", the masked figure asked.
The other figure shushed him with a warped voice. "The wagon is almost here."
Sure enough, a wagon was making its way to the fortress. As it passed the bush the two were hiding from, they held on to the undercarriage of the wagon. As the wagon reached the gate's guard, the guard looked at the wagon and walked around it. After checking the inside, he then walked around to see the other side and checked the undercarriage…which was empty. The guard then got back up and said, "All clear. Go on in."
Had he decided to look inside again, he would've found the two figures hiding there. A few minutes later, the wagon was now at the first courtyard where the boxes in the wagon have been unloaded. The two mysterious figures ran from them and ducked into the shadows.
At an an ornate balcony above, Zhao stood within view of everybody, wearing a ceremonial dress and was flanked by attendants. Bonfire pots burned on either side of him. The balcony was festooned with gold and red spades.
During his speech the view cuts to show the innermost courtyard full of Fire Nation soldiers standing at attention.
"We are the sons and daughters of fire! The superior element! Until today, only one thing stood in our path to victory. The Avatar! I am here to tell you that he is now my prisoner!"
Everybody in the fortress cheered three times.
"This is the year Sozin's comet returns to grant us its power!"
Another cheer was heard.
"This is the year the Fire Nation breaks through the walls of Ba-Sing-Se and burns the city to the ground!"
As Zhao spoke, the two 'spies' steadily and stealthily infiltrated the fortress, passing by two guards, crossing the walls, rappeling down it with a rope, jumping into the sewers and snuck past a grille.
Z—?—?—Z—?—?—Z—?—?
Back at the prison…
Aang struggled fruitlessly against his chains. He finally stopped, breathing heavily. Idano did nothing to resist. Suddenly, the frogs started leaping out of Aang;s shirt and hood.
"What? No!", Aang pleaded. "Don't leave frogs! My friends are sick and they need you! Please go back to being frozen!"
"Don't worry about them, Aang.", Idano assure him. "I collected enough of the frogs' substance."
Outside the room, the four guards standing outside the chamber heard frog noises. As they looked down to see frogs escaping the room, they then saw a Fire Nation soldier's helmet come bouncing down the corridor towards them. One of the guards then walked up the corridor and turned right at the first junction, disappearing from the other three's view. A gout of flame erupted from the cross hallway as well as the sound of a brief scuffle. Two more guards went up to the junction and turned right, firebending stances at the ready. They saw the first guard hanging from the ceiling, tied up.
"Who could have done this?", the third guard wondered.
His question was answered by being pulled up chains. The second guard ws pulled up as well and tied. Their 'captors' were the spies that went in the fortress.
The last guard saw all this and grabbed the alarm horn next to him, but before he could blow it, a sound wave by the 'camo' spy knocked it out of his hand. (6) The guard let loose a gout of flame at the two intruders as they run down the hall toward the door, but the masked spy extinguished the blast with a bucket of water. The masked figure then swept the guard's feet out from under him with the empty bucket.
Back inside the chamber, Aang still struggled. When he heard sounds from outside the room, he stopped and looked at the noises of violence coming from behind the door. These stopped abruptly and was replaced by the sound of the lock turning in the door. The door opened and the two 'spies' entered. The masked spy brandished two curved swords and ran forward to Aang, who screamed in fear. The 'camo' spy pulled out two 'fusils' and aimed…for the chains. He then shot and freed Aang and Idano. As Aang looked at his liberator in wonder, the masked spy then cut the remaining bonds of the two, turned and walked back toward the door joining his companion, then turned around to face them.
"Thanks, guys.", Idano said. "Who are you?"
"We are the Blue Spirit and 'Camo'.", said the masked spy's companion. "We've come to rescue you."
"Why?", asked Aang.
"Would you rather stay here?"
"I guess not."
"Then come with us."
Without question, Idano and Aang followed the Blue Spirit and Camo out of the room, bypassing the now-gagged fourth guard.
I—A—?—?—I—A—?—?
Meanwhile, back at the run-down temple, Momo had the mischevious notion to gather mountains of junk. As for Shyu and Sneers, they were gathering water for Idano's water bottle from the river—which happened to be close by.
"Why is Momo gathering all those stuff?", Shyu asked himself as the two made trips. "Did he confuse water for all those items?"
"I don't know.", Sneers answered. "Perhaps he's hoping we'd sell 'em to somebody once we reach the next town. Or for some other funny reason I can think of. Why are we making trips, anyway?"
"The river's not deep enough to submerge the whole bottle. Besides, the bottle will be so heavy after filling it up."
"Oh, come on. I could have carried it with one hand. You've seen how strong I was, right? I know you have. Idano told me."
"Oh, right."
As the two finally filled up the bottle, they played RPS-7.
"Aang, please, hurry.", Katara muttered, a crown on her head put on by Momo.
"Who's this 'Aang' kid you keep talking about, Your Highness?", her brother asked deliriously.
"She's not a queen or a princess, moron.", Aixata mumbled. "She's just a girl wearing a crown."
S—K—A—S—S—S—K—A—S—S
Back in the fortress…
Idano, the Blue Spirit, Aang, and Camo walked walked silently in the sewer system underneath the fortress. Soldiers walked back and forth above them. Once they were out of sight, thir backs turned away from the grating, Camo looked up to survey.
"Clear.", he whispered. "Follow me" The four then left the geating and entered the courtyard.
Meanwhile, at a corridor inside the fortress, Zhao walked with a scribe behind him.
"I want a full transcription of my speech sent to the Fire Lord," Zhao ordered the scribe. "Along with glowing testimonials from all of the ranking officers present, and—"
He was cut off by moans. Zhao and the scribe turned to the right and saw the soldiers tied up by Camo and the Blue Spirit. Zhao, upset, went to the toor they were meant to guard.
"What could've happened?", he thought to himself. "Those assassins promised me a hefty sum of money when I handed the Avatar's friend to them."
He then slammed open the door to the chamber where the Avatar and his friend were imprisoned. It was empty, save for a frog which ribbitedt him from the floor. Zhao turns in anger and left, the scribe in tow.
"Sir, should I hold off sending that speech to the Fire Lord?", the scribe asked.
Back outside, the four would-be escapees were now scaling the rope the two spies used moments ago. Just then, the alarm sounded, and they were spotted by a guard.
"There, on the wall!", he called as a soldier on the wall cut the rope the four were hanging on. As the four fell, Aang cushioned their fall with Airbending making a cloud of dust. Once that cleared, the Blue Spirit unsheathed his swords and they ran. Zhao emerged from the ornate balcony and yelled, "The Avatar has escaped! Close all the gates immediately!"
"Stay close!", Idano said as they ran for the gates, whch were closing fast, and were blocked by many soldiers. Aang airbent a blast of air that blew away the soldiers in front of them out of the way. Aang made the gate, but his companions got involved in melee and had to stop. Aang turned to see Idano and their liberators in trouble. He grabbed a spear from a guard near him, airbent him out of the way, broke the head off the spear and launched back into battle to save his (new) friends. Behind him, the gate closed. The Blue Spirit, Idano, and Camo were surrounded, but Aang airbent them all out of the way.
"Thanks, Aang.", Idano said as Aang then catapulted their liberators to the top of the third wall.
The two were instantly surrounded, but Aang appeared using his temmporary staff as a helicopter blade. He plucked Camo off the wall and headed into the next courtyard. Idano, with his wings activated, took the Blue Spirit into his arms and followed. The two make it to the next wall, but Aang was struggling to keep himself and Camo aloft. The latter used his fusils to knock out the guard below. They barely made it to the next wall as they crashed unceremoniously onto the battlement, joining Idano and the Blue Spirit.
"Have I seen you before?", Idano asked the Blue Spirit.
The latter didn't answer as guards instantly rushed them. Aang ran for his 'staff', but a guard kicked it away and took several swings at Aang with his sword. The Blue Spirit grabbed the guard and threw him over the wall. Aang then airbent the other guards off the wall.
Below them, soldiers were bringing four scalng ladders out of bamboo. As the lead soldiers made it to the wall, they then climbed up it, supported by his comrades on the other end.
The fours wold-be escapees went in front of a ladder each, knocking off the soldiers as they reached the top. Once they 'depopulate' the scaling ladders, Aang took them all and brought them to the Blue Spirit's. Aang then handed eack of his liberators one.
"Here, take this.", said the airbender. "Jump on my back!"
The Blue Spirit and Camo complied and Aang began to use the ladders as massive stilts, shedding one each time a step was taken. It was nearing dawn as Idano went on the ground, holding off anybody who tried to stop them.
"Gimme the next one, Blue Spirit!", Aang called. said spy complied. "Last one, Camo! We're almost there!"
Camo gave the last one and they were almost to the last wall. However, while Idano was holding off Firebenders, one of them sent a gout of flame up the ladder. It was too late though as Aang and the spies jumped from the last stilt and just managed to grab the edge of the final wall. They were unable to hold on, however, and fell to the ground. As the three got up, Idano stood to defend them. As four firebenders unleashed their flame on them, Aang airbent the flames away.
"Hold your fire!", Zhao ordered as he approached the four. "the Avatar must be captured alive!"
The Blue Spirit instantly came up behind Aang and crossed his swords in front of Aang's throat. Camo then aimed his fusils at both Idano and Aang.
What are you doing?, Idano thought-spoke via Thoughtbending, having a suspicion on who Camo really was.
"Getting you out of here.", Camo whisepred through closed teeth.
After staring at the four, thinking of what to do, Zhao then ordered, "Open the gate."
"Admiral, what are you doing?", Colonel Shinu asked from behind him.
"Let them out, now!"
The gate was opened and the four escapees backed out, not letting their weapons leave their targets for even a second.
"How could you let them go?", Col. Shinu asked.
"A situation like this requires—precision."
As the escapees continued backing away from the fortress, Zhao now looked on from the top of the main gate. Two Yu Yan archers notched their arrows.
"Do you have a clear shot?", Zhao asked.
The Yu Yan archer just winked, strange for cold sniper like them, and lowered their heads in preparation for their shots.
"Knock out the masked thief and maim the other one.", Zhao ordered. "I'll deliver them to the Fire Lord along with the Avatar. As for the other masked guy, I have a…matter to settle concerning him."
The archers released their arrows and moth made their marks; on the Blue Spirit's head and Camo's leg. The former collapsed backward and the latter doubled up in pain. Aang turned to the Blue Spirit in horror, his eyes glazed. As Idano then stopped down to help Camo, the airbender recovered. turned around and airbent up a huge cloud of dust around him and others.
Seeing that, Zhao ordered, "Quick! Recover them!"
The main gate opened fully and a crowd Fire Nation soldiers emerged and ran towards the dust cloud. Inside there, Aang removed the Blue Spirit's mask to reveal Prince Zuko. At the same time, Idano recognized a familiar scar on Camo's cheek, which was partially covered by the cowl.
"Moritz?", Idano gasped.
Yes, brother, it's me., Moritz thought-spoke via Shisno-exclusive telepathy. And the Blue Spirit is Zuko.
What?
Meanwhile, Aang started back in horror and he fell backward on the ground. He jumped up and ran away, but then turned to look at Zuko, his eyes huge and full of compassion.
Moritz took Zuko up on his shoulders and started to run. Idano and Aang followed. By then, they were gone in the eyes of the guards as the smoke cleared. Zhao was looking insanely angry from his failure. Just then, a frog hops up onto the railing, ribbited, and hopped off.
I—Z—A—M—Z—S—I—Z—A—M—Z—S (Idano, Zuko, Aang, Moritz, Zhao, Shinu)
Morning at a forest…
Zuko was sleeping on a bed of leaves. Idano, Moritz, and Aang were talking with one another. Idano had introduced Moritz and Aang to each other. Moritz explained his 'mission' with Zuko. After some more small talk, Aang changed the subject
"You know what the worst part about being born over a hundred years ago is?", he asked.
"What?", Moritz asked.
"I miss all the friends I used to hang out with. Before the war started, I used to always my friend Kuzon. The two of us, we'd get in and out of so much trouble together. He was one of the best friends I ever had. And he was from the Fire Nation, just like Zuko."
"Interesting.", Idano said. "No doubt he's gone by now. Bumi's an exception as he's an Earthbender and they're known for their longer lifespans."
"Wait a second!", Moritz gasped. "Do you mean King Bumi of Omashu?"
"That's the one!"
"Really?"
"Yeah!", Aang said, then added, "If we knew each other back then, do you think Zuko and I could have been friends too?"
"Probably.", Moritz replied. "Anyway, you guys gotta go. Zuko's about to awaken."
Sure enough, he began to stir. Taking his advice, Idano and Aang headed off. Juet before Zuko was able to open his eyes, Moritz took him up to his arms, like a groom carries his bride, and trekked back to their cutter craft. They had a spare one ordered after their first one broke back at that incident with the pirates and the Waterbending scroll.
I—Z—A—M—I—Z—A—M (Idano, Zuko, Aang, Moritz)
Back at the Seeker…
After the ship reeled in Zuko and Moritz's cutter craft, the two benders walked across the deck. Zuko was sullen, Moritz was bored. They walked past Iroh, who was practicing on his Tsungi Horn. Next to him was the wierd monkey statue the pirates had.
"Where have you been, Prince Zuko, Private Moritz?", Iroh asked. "You missed music night! Lieutenant Jee sang a stirring love song."
Zuko (walking away): "I'm going to bed. No disturbances.", Zuko said.
"And get rid of that statue.", Moritz muttered. "It's a source of bad luck."
Iroh just rubbed his head and began to blow his horn again.
S—K—I—Z—I—A—M—A
Back at the abandoned temple…
Shyu and Sneers finally filled up Idano's bottle and sorted out the junk Momo brought. Unfortunately, they were already getting the first symptoms of the sickness. Fortunately, Aang and Idano were back.
"Thank goodness you returned. *cough* *cough*", Sneers said. "You got the medicine?"
"I sure do.", Idano answered as he took out a medium-sized silver bottle containing the substance from the frogs.
"We could sure use the medicine you brought us.", said Shyu as he coughed. "I think we got the same sickness they do."
"All right. Take off the masks."
As the two did so, they then took a swig of the medicine. As Aang slumped over to sleep, Idano had Sokka, Aixata, and Katara drink the medicine.
"Aang, Idano, how was your trip?", Sneers asked, feeling better already. "Did you make any new friends?"
"No, I don't think I did.", Aang sighed as he then slept on Appa's tail.
"Actually, we met by brother Moritz, who was serving as a 'spy' in the Fire Nation for me and Aixata.", Idano said. "By the way, what's all that junk doing here in the temple?"
"Momo brought those stuff in.", Shyu said. "Besides, we could sell some of these for money. We're running short."
"I see. Well, we better get all the precious stuff packed."
The three packed all the stuff into a sack Idano pulled out if his bag and they placed the sack on Appa's saddle.
A few minutes later, the three sick ones were feeling better. As they got up, Idano said, "Good thing you're feeling better, guys. Help us put on the saddle on Appa."
Gradually, the three got up quickly, feeling much better, much to their surprise.
"Wow!", Katara remarked. "I feel like new!"
"Of course. It's from the medicine Aang and I found."
"What is it?", Aixata asked.
"If I told you, you'd be disgusted. Now let's get moving! We still have a long way to go."
With that, after waking up Aang, the seven of them prepped Appa for takeoff and soon, they left the temple. As they flew, Aang noticed the sack filled with items.
"What's that over there?", he asked.
"It's a pile of valuable junk.", Idano answered. "We could sell it for money for food. Just leave all this material stuff to me. You handle the spiritual stuff."
"Uhh…okay."
As Appa sailed through the clouds, Aixata approached her brother and asked, "Seriously, what was that substance in the medicine?"
"Do you really want to find out?"
"Sure."
"…The substance was excreted from frozen wood frogs."
"Frozen wood frogs?"
"Yup."
"You're right. It is gross."
"What did I tell you…"
-I'm not good at making up end of chapters, so here are the diary entries.-
X Colonel Shinu
(recorded my Moritz)
An officer in the Fire Nation. One of his famed troops were The Yu Yan Archers (8), experts in the way of the bow. Zhao, now promoted to Admiral, took control of them from him for capturing the Avatar.
X The Herbalist
The only living remnant in the village of Taku. She lives with her white cat Miyuki and has tended to many wounded Earth Kingdom soldiers wounded in the war.
Δ The Blue Spirit
A mysterious figure who is an expert in the ways of the sword. He and Camo rescued me (Idano) and Aang from Zhao when he captured us. When he was knocked out by an archer, we found out it was Zuko.
Δ Camo
A mysterious figure who wields two 'fusils'. He and the Blue Spirit rescued me (Idano) and Aang from Zhao when he captured us. When he was maimed by an archer, it turns out it was my brother Moritz.
(1) Technically, for those who have already watched the first season, you'd know who one of them is. As for the other, it's someone close to him.
(2) I won't remind you again where this is from.
(3) Yet another non-hybrid in the world of Four Nations, which Idano finds a bit disturbing. After all, in a world full of hybrids that are a mix (to the Shisnos and us readers) of 'regular' animals. And the naming is even mixed and not 'evolved' to an original name.
(4) Back at "The Great Divide".
(5) Think 'camo'. Like the soldiers wear.
(6) The Blue Spirit's companion is a Soundbender. Guess who could it be?
(7) While I already given them names, I don't want to put their first letters in the breaks for secretive reasons.
(8) Moritz heard of him through Zuko.