Aang had never actually been to Ba Sing Sie and the scrolls people had painted in an attempt to describe the city didn't even come close. Gyatso steered Appa to a small hut on an island in the center of a large lake.
"Why all the way out here?" Aang questioned.
"It is serene this far away from the city. I do not enjoy the crowds."
Aang was about to protest but then took in the scenery and noticed he was almost at home with low mountains not that far away and nature was….well, natural. He and Gyatso spent the first few hours of their stay meditating before a man clad in mossy green robes and a low wide brimmed hat could be seen approaching the island by boat. He introduced himself as an agent of the Dai Li, the King's personal body guards and peace keepers of the city.
"Our leader will be conducting your test Avatar. His family was originally trained by Avatar Kyoshi, so he will know if you have what it takes to be an Earthbender. Please report to the Royal Palace at dawn."
"Thank you sir" Gyatso bowed, Aang quickly following suit.
After a light lunch, Gyatso continued meditation but Aang was hard at work practicing his Earthbending. He jumped from pillar to pillar without the help of Airbending in order to perfect his balance. He made it harder and harder until Gyatso suggested he rest up for tomorrow and the two shares a small dinner.
"Rest well young one, tomorrow is a very important day."
"Will we get to see the city after?"
Gyatso looked at him for a moment, "I suppose I could handle it for one day but then we must leave. In these trying times a Firebending Master will not be easy to find or at least easy to convince to help us."
Dawn came very quickly for Aang who woke up slightly sore from his training. He forced down a breakfast of oatmeal and fruit before boarding Appa to fly into the heart of the city. The Avatar noticed Gyatso was not following.
"Is there something wrong Master?"
"No. I will not be joining you until after. I do not care for the stuffy political affairs of Ba Sing Sei," he replied quite sternly. "I shall meet you outside after it has finished. Now, go! You don't want to be late or they will be extra tough on you."
Appa launched himself towards the city. It just seemed to get larger the closer they got. The tiny speck that was the Royal Palace grew with each passing moment. A single Dai Li Agent awaited Aang as they landed. The Earthbender opened a massive decorated door to the interior of the Palace, which was also enormous.
After walking for several minutes the Agent stopped at another large door and opened it as well.
"You will find your test inside," was all he spoke.
The door closed behind Aang, who hadn't noticed it was very dim in this room. The air was hot and damp.
"H-hello?"
A loud whirring sound approached Aang who barely had time to dive aside as a disc of rock slammed into the wall behind him. His test must have started already but where was his assailant?!
In retaliation Aang flung several boulders and heared a grunt of pain. Smiling he advanced quickly but he noticed he wasn't moving as fast as he usually could. The dampness of the room hindered his Airbending.
"Clever.." he muttered, he would have to rely completely on Earthbending. Two figures suddenly erupted from the ground next to him and bound his hands instantly in stone. Aang flipped backwards as the two grabbed for him. They collided but recovered almost instantly as Aang worked on breaking his bounds. He tripped over a rock and felt backwards as they lunged for him again but a kick from the Avatar send one flying into the ceiling overhead while the other leapt onto a large stalagmite nearby. This remaining Agent brought down a hail of rocks that Aang was barely able to avoid.
By sheer luck did one of the rocks make contact with his shackles, shattering them. The Avatar leapt into the air and dove back down with both fists in front of him. The contact with the earth created a ripple and brought several rocks around him down, including the one with the Agent.
"Stop if you would for a moment Avatar!"
Aang did as he was told but another disc was flung from the distance at him. He had expected this type of deception but years of meditation had taught him to ignore such tricks. He shot his palms forward and the disc was flown back toward its original destination. Another painful grunt made Aang smirk. This time some torches were light around, finally illuminating the chamber a bit more to Aang, it was rather smaller than he anticipated.
"You have passed your first test Avatar. You must pass but one more to complete this portion of your quest."
"And that would be?"
"You must defeat the head of the Dai Li in one on one combat."
Aang nodded. "I'm ready."
A rather stout man approached him and instantly formed an arena. He had a long ponytail and spoke with the same voice that had called out to him, it was sort of menacing.
"This combat is simple; do not fall out of the ring at any time while doing all that you can to push me out."
This time it was Aang who launched a surprise attack but the man simple sliced the rock in half with his bare hand. Aang stood for a moment with a gaping jaw but was on the run as the man leapt at him. An idea suddenly formed in Aang's mind. He ran to the very edge of the ring and allowed the man to close in on him. He tried baiting him to leap at him again but the Head Dai Li was much cleverer than the regular Agents.
"That trick won't work Avatar, "he chuckled. He flung several tiny rocks at Aang's feet, trying to knock him off balance. While he was throwing these at him, Aang sunk the man to the shins in Earth. It took an extreme effort as he began to slide the man toward the edge.
"Clever Avatar!"
Aang felt himself sink and soon it was a tug of war to see who could win. The man was winning though as his superior knowledge of Earthbending was pushing Aang inches closer to losing. Another idea popped into his head and the closer the man pushed Aang to the edge of the ring, the further Aang pushed the line.
"Even better Avatar. Such determination to do what it takes to win!"
With the arena rapidly expanding it wasn't long before the whole room was the arena. Aang felt himself freed from the rock. The head of the Dai Li walked up to him and offered a hand.
"This was never about who could win but more about how creative you could become. You fended off my Agents without hardly sweating. You ignore distractions, truly an immobile Earthbender. And you beat me at my own game. I am proud to say you have Mastered Earthbending."
Aang let out a loud whoop of joy and thanked the man before rushing out of the Palace to find Gyatso for a long day on town. Back in the Palace, the Head of Dai Li sent a messenger hawk out the window of his office.
A couple of days later it arrived at none other but the Fire Nation Royal Palace. The grunt solder retrieved the note and rushed to the Fire Lord's chambers. He knocked momentarily before he entered.
"What is it now?"
"My Lord, urgent message…"
"Bring it here and leave immediately."
The soldier laid it on a small table in front of the throne before running off terrified. The Fire Lord snatched it up and read:
"Fire Lord Sozin,
Avatar Aang has passed his Earthbending test. The plan should now enter its next stage. Long live the Fire Nation!
Yours,
L.F."
A sinister chuckle escaped the shadows behind the throne. Sozin glared even deeper as a figure stepped up next to him.
"Soon we will all have what we want. Those blasted fish will be gone and you will be rid of your Avatar problem. Once I return to full power, you shall be greatly rewarded and this mortal realm will bask in the glory of the Fire Nation."
"I'll believe it all when I see it monster. I'm still not entirely sure I believe your story," Sozin growled, "But if you are lying, the Comet will be here in a little over a month, you'll pay for any treacheries then."
"You date threaten me?!"
"You have no powers here you worm, even if you were in your true form. I am only helping you because it benefits me! Now leave me to my thoughts before I become a known spirit killer!"
Koh scowled at Sozin deeply but forced himself to turn around. This insolent Fire Lord would pay..but they shared a grudge towards the Avatar, so it would have to wait just a while longer….