Hi, everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! I hope this is enjoyable. Have fun reading!
Book Two: Earth
Chapter 14: Secrets of Ba Sing Se
Two fox-antelopes are grazing on a hillside and they see the monorail tracks behind them as a monorail goes past and is being pushed by two Earthbenders and inside the monorail car are Lucy, Aang, Katara, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Sokka, Toph, and Jiba and Lucy, Aang, Katara, Gray, Erza, Sokka, Toph, and Jiba are waiting for their arrival to Ba Sing Se while Natsu is getting motion sick and is resting on Erza's lap while Wendy is also motion sick but Lucy is holding her and while waiting Lucy and Katara look out from the window and notice the Inner Wall of the Earth Kingdom capital getting closer.
"Look! The Inner Wall!" Katara said pointing at the Inner Wall getting close.
"I can't believe we actually made it to Ba Sing Se in one piece." Lucy said.
"Hey! Don't jinx it, Lucy! We can still be attacked by some giant exploding Fire Nation spoon or find out that this city's been submerged in an ocean full of killer shrimp!" Sokka said.
"You been hitting the cactus juice again?" Toph asked both annoyed and jokingly.
"Awww, don't remind me...!" Natsu said.
"Why? You still remember your experience drinking cactus juice?" Gray asked tauntingly.
"Shut up, Snowman!" Natsu yelled.
"Why do you have to say stuff like this?" Erza asked.
"I'm just sayin' that weird stuff happens to us." Sokka answered.
"That's kinda true, but those things can't happen." Gray said.
Just then a man sucking a corn plant from his mouth comes and sits between Sokka, Topha, Jiba, and Gray startling them.
"Ooookay. That's weird." Lucy said and then she sees Aang looking out the window sadly.
"Don't worry, Aang. We'll find Appa." Katara assured the Airbender.
"It's such a big city." Aang said doubtfully.
"That's true, but Appa's also a giant bison. I don't think someone could possibly hide him." Lucy said.
"You might wanna rethink that." Gray said.
The monorail past the Inner Wall and the gang see the giant city from the window.
"Oh. I forgot, but we'll still find him." Lucy said.
The gang notice that Ba Sing Se has many buildings and roads and their monorail takes them to the monorail station and they start to disembark.
"Finally! The train stopped!" Natsu said.
"You really should need help with your motion sickness." Happy said.
"This city looks pretty nice." Wendy said.
"Back in the city. Just damn great." Jiba said.
"I know." Toph said.
"What's the problem? It's amazing!" Sokka said.
"It's just a bunch of walls and rules. You wait, you'll get sick of it in a couple of days." Toph said.
Aang looks at his bison whistle in his hand and blows it.
"I'm comin' for ya, buddy." Aang said.
"He has to be here." Lucy said.
"Yeah. I know it." Aang said.
The monorail starts to depart and on the other side of the track they see a woman with dark brown hair and is wearing a yellow dress approaching the gang and she has a strange and creepy smile on her face.
"Hello. My name Joo Dee! I have been given the great honor of showing the Avatar and the Celestial Mage around Ba Sing Se." The woman named Joo Dee said and then looks at the others. "And you must be Katara, Sokka, Toph, Jiba, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Wendy! Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?" Joo Dee asked.
Just then Grace starts to growl at Joo Dee but Lucy is trying to hold her.
"Grace, settle down." Lucy said.
"Hello. We have information about the Fire Nation army that we need to deliver to the Earth King immediately." Erza said.
"Great! Let's begin our tour, then I'll show you to your new home here. I think you'll like it." Joo Dee said.
"Ugh!" Sokka said as he walks over to Joo Dee. "Maybe you missed what she said. We need to talk to the king about the war. This is important." Sokka said.
"You're in Ba Sing Se now. Everyone is safe here." Joo Dee said and the gang are confused by Joo Dee's statement.
The ostrich-horse is pulling a carriage through the streets that have shops and refugees and in the carriage are Joo Dee and the gang.
"This is the Lower Ring." Joo Dee said showing the gang the Lower Ring.
"What's that wall for?" Katara asked.
"Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls! There are ones outside protecting us, and the ones inside to help maintain order." Joo Dee said. "This is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftsmen and artisans, people that work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively." Joo Dee explained.
The group see an alley that has two men and they both glare at the carriage passing them making the gang nervous.
"You do want to watch your step, though." Joo Dee said.
"I'll keep that in mind." Gray said.
"Why do they have all these poor people blocked off in one part of the city?" Lucy asked.
"This is why I never came here before. I always heard it was so different from the way the monks taught us to live." Aang said looking at the window.
Meanwhile in another part of the Lower Ring Zuko and Aiko are walking down the street and Iroh joins them while carrying a large vase that has several orange flowers.
"What are the flowers for, Father?" Aiko asked.
"I just want our place to look nice, in case someone brings home a lady friend." Iroh answered while nudging Zuko with his elbow.
"This place is a prison. I don't want to make a life here." Zuko said bleakly.
"Zuko, we don't have an option to be here. It's the only safe place to be in." Aiko said.
"And life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not. Now come on, I found us some new jobs, and we start this afternoon." Iroh said.
As the three keep moving through the streets someone is watching them from behind and it's Jet staring at them angrily.
"Look at them, Firebenders living right under everyone's nose." Jet said and Smellerbee and Longshot walk to him.
"Jet, you saw a man with a hot cup of tea. It doesn't prove he's a Firebender. And what if he is? Are we supposed to attack them? I thought we were starting over and changing our ways." Smellerbee said.
"We are. When I get the evidence I need, I'll report them to the police and let them handle it. Okay?" Jet said as he walks away and Smellerbee and Longshot exchange glances.
Meanwhile Joo Dee and the group are continuing their tour.
"This is the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se, home to the financial district, shops and restaurants, and the university." Joo Dee explained.
"Yeah. We met a professor from the Ba Sing Se University." Gray said.
"And he took us to an ancient underground library where we discovered information about the war that is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL FOR THE KING TO HEAR!" Sokka shouted while leaning to Joo Dee who just smiles.
"Isn't history fascinating? Look, here's one of the oldest towns in the Middle Ring, the Town Hall!" Joo Dee said as the carriage stops and she gets out.
"Is that woman deaf or somethin'?" Natsu asked as he recovers from his motion sickness again.
"She only seems to hear every word I say." Sokka said.
"It's called 'being handled'. Get used to it." Toph said crossing her arms and everyone else looks at Sokka.
"I have a feeling we'll be here a while." Lucy said to herself.
Meanwhile in a small tea shop in the Lower Ring Jet is leaning against the wall of the tea shop and peeks inside the window spying on Zuko, Iroh, and Aiko talking to the shop's owner.
"Well, you three certainly look like official tea servers. How do you feel?" The tea shop owner named Pao asked.
"Ridiculous." Zuko answered annoyed wearing an apron.
"Like a professional server." Aiko answered also wearing an apron.
Iroh is having trouble trying to tie the string behind his back and his efforts are in vain.
"I don't suppose this comes in a larger size?" Iroh asked.
"I have some extra string in the back. Have some tea while you wait." Pao said as he pours three cups of tea before leaving.
Iroh takes a sip of his tea but then spits it out and has a disgusted look.
"Blech! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!" Iroh said still disgusted.
"Uncle, that's what ALL tea is." Zuko said still annoyed.
"Zuko!" Aiko berated.
"How can a member of my own family say something so horrible?!" Iroh asked. "We'll have to make some major changes around here!" Iroh takes the tea pot and walks over to the window Jet is spying through and Jet gasps and moves out of the way of the tea being dumped from the window and Jet makes his way around the corner of the tea shop and leaves.
Meanwhile Team Celestial Avatar is still having their tour with Joo Dee.
"The Upper Ring is the home of our most important citizens. Your home is not too far from here." Joo Dee said as the carriage is passing another wall with a tall gate and behind it is the roof of a large building.
"What's inside that wall?" Lucy asked and they also see three men in dark robes and wearing brimmed hats standing in the gateway and they glare hatefully at the gang.
"And who're the mean-looking guys in robes?" Sokka asked.
"Inside is the Royal Palace. Those men are agents of the Dai Li, the cultural authority of Ba Sing Se. They are the guardians of all our traditions." Joo Dee explained.
"Can we see the King now?" Gray asked bored and annoyed.
"Oh, no! One doesn't just pop in on the Earth King!" Joo Dee answered and the gang look at each other annoyed.
Later on the carriage arrives at a small building.
"Here we are. This is your new home." Joo Dee said as the gang look at her.
Just then a messenger arrives and gives Joo Dee a note and then leaves.
"More good news. Your request for an audience with the Earth King is being processed and should be put through in about a month. Much more quicker than usual." Joo Dee said.
"A month?!" Sokka and Natsu asked at the same time shocked.
"Six to eight weeks actually." Joo Dee said still smiling.
"WHAT?!" Sokka and Natsu asked still shocked.
"No need to shout. Let us go inside." Joo Dee said.
The gang are now inside their new house and they look around.
"Isn't it nice? I think you'll enjoy it here." Joo Dee said.
"I think we would enjoy it more if we were not staying too long. Can we not see the Earth King sooner?" Erza asked.
"The Earth King is very busy running the finest city in the world. But he will see you as soon as time permits." Joo Dee said and Sokka has an annoyed look on his face.
"Well, if we're going to be here for a month, we should spend our time looking for Appa." Aang said looking out the window determined and Momo's ears perks up fom hearing Appa's name.
"He has to be in the city." Happy said.
"Okay. Let's look for him." Lucy said.
"I'd like to escort you anywhere you'd like to go." Joo Dee said bowing.
"We don't NEED babysitter." Jiba said walking towards the door.
"Oh, I won't get in the way." Joo Dee said as she blocks Jiba's path. "And to leave you alone would make me a bad host. Where shall we start?" Joo Dee asked and Jiba looks at the gang annoyed and Lucy sighs.
The gang and Joo Dee are now in a pet store and they are talking to the pet owner while Momo and Happy jump on a bowl and they start to eat but are scared by cat-owls.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything about a flying bison. I didn't even know there WERE any." The pet owner said.
"If someone wanted to sell a stolen animal without anyone knowing, where would they go?" Aang asked making Gray face palm at the Airbender's question.
"Where is the black market? Who runs it? You have to know something." Lucy said.
"Uh..." The pet owner looks at Joo Dee who is behind the gang and she shakes her head. "That would be illegal. You'll have to leave now; your lemur, cats, and dog are harassing my sparrowkeets." The pet owner said showing the gang Momo and Happy eating all of the sparrowkeets' food while Carla watches in annoyance while Grace is barking at the sparrowkeets.
Next the gang go to the Ba Sing Se University and they are talking to a student.
"Hmm...I've never seen any Sandbenders or nomads around here. You should ask Professor Zei. He teaches the class desert cultures." The university student said.
"Right." Gray said annoyed.
"And which of your professors could we ask about the war with the Fire Nation?" Lucy asked.
"Uh..." The university student sees Joo Dee who shakes her head again but Lucy, Erza, and Sokka notice her this time but Joo Dee stopped already. "I'm sorry. I don't know. I'm not a political science student. I need to get to class." The university student gets up and leaves but he trips and falls while dropping his scrolls but he picks them up and then leaves again and Joo Dee waves at him.
The gang are back at their house while Joo Dee is in the carriage.
"Well, I'm sorry no one has seen your bison. Why don't you go get some rest? Someone will bring dinner later." Joo Dee said as the carriage drives off.
Lucy and Sokka then notice something and it's a man in a house from across the street peeking from his window but the man's head recedes back.
"Let's go see him." Lucy said.
Everyone follows Lucy across the street and Lucy is knocking on the man's door and the same man opens the door slightly and smiles.
"You're the Celestial Mage! And you're the Avatar! I heard you two are in town. My name is Pong." The man named Pong said.
"Nice to meet you, Pong." Aang said.
"Tell us, Pong. What's going on with this city? Why is everyone scared here to talk about the war?" Lucy asked.
"War? Scared? What are you talking about?" Pong asked as he shifts his eyes sideways nervously.
"We can feel you shaking." Toph said.
"Yeah. Don't even think about bullcrapping us." Jiba said.
"Look, I'm just a minor government official. I've waited three years to get this house. I don't want to get into trouble." Pong said still nervous.
"Trouble?" Wendy asked.
"With who?" Katara asked but Pong shushes them.
"Listen, you cannot mention the war here and whatever you do, stay away from the Dai Li." Pong said as he closes the door and the gang look at each other confused.
Meanwhile in the Lower Ring with some apartments Jet is spying on Zuko, Iroh, and Aiko again from a balcony in the shadows and is hiding behind a clothesline in the apartment across theirs.
"Would you two like some tea?" Iroh offered.
"Sure, Father." Aiko answered.
"We've been working in a tea shop all day! I'm SICK of tea!" Zuko yelled while lying on a bed.
"Zuko." Aiko said.
"Sick of tea? That's like being sick of breathing." Iroh said as he's rummaging through the cupboard beneath the counter. "Have you two seen the spark rocks to heat up the water?" Iroh asked.
"They're not there." Jet said as he's holding emerald colored rocks behind him. "You'll have to Firebend, old man." Jet said but he sees Iroh going inside. "Where're you going?" Jet asked.
Iroh returns to the apartment and goes back to the counter.
"I borrowed our neighbors'. Such kind people." Iroh said as he strikes the borrowed rocks near a pile of twigs below the teapot and then creates a flame making Jet frustrated and ducks beneath the clothesline and leaves.
It's now morning and Lucy, Wendy, and Katara walk out of their house while yawning and stretching and Lucy looks at a roll of papers in a mail slot attached to the wall and so Lucy takes the roll of papers and starts reading it briefly and then she gasps with excitement and so does Katara while Wendy reads it as well and the three hurry back into the house to find the others who are all lounging around the upper part of the living room.
"We got it!" Lucy said.
"Got what?" Natsu asked.
"We know how we're gonna see the Earth King!" Katara said.
"How're we supposed to do that?" Gray asked.
"Yeah. 'One doesn't just POP in on the Earth King'!" Toph said mocking Joo Dee.
"But the King is having a party at the palace tonight for his pet bear." Wendy said.
"You mean platypus-bear?" Aang asked.
"No. It just says 'bear'." Katara said.
"Well, you must mean his pet skunk-bear." Sokka said.
"Or armadillo-bear." Toph said.
"Gopher-bear?" Jiba asked.
"Just 'bear'." Lucy said.
"This place...is weird." Toph said.
"Not really. I'm sure there are normal bears." Gray said.
"Maybe in your world." Jiba said.
"Anyway, the palace will be packed. We can sneak in with the crowd." Katara said.
"Won't work." Toph said laying back.
"Why not?" Katara asked.
"Well, no offense to you simple country folk, but a real society crowd will spot you a mile away." Toph answered.
"Yeah. You got no manners." Jiba said taking a pastry and starts eating it.
"Really? We have no manners? You're the rude one! And Toph isn't exactly Lady Fancy Fingers! That, and I happen to be from a wealthy family. So I happen to know manners and I'm sure Erza and Wendy do too." Lucy said.
"What about us?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah." Gray said.
"You're reckless and break and burn things and Gray strips at random moments." Lucy said.
"Well, Jiba and I learned proper society behavior and chose to leave it. Those guys never learned anything and frankly, it's a little too late." Toph said while Jiba tosses his eaten pastry aside and then picks his nose and throws his snot.
"But you learned it! You two can teach us." Sokka said.
"Yeah. I'm mastering every element. How hard can manners be?" Aang asked as he grabs a nearby curtain and puts it around himself like a noble's robe. "Good evening, Mr. Sokka of the Water Tribe, Ms. Katara of the Water Tribe, Ms. Lucy Heartfilia of Fiore, Mr. Natsu Dragneel of Fiore, Mr. Gray Fullbuster of Fiore, Ms. Erza Scarlet of Fiore, Ms. Wendy Marvell of Fiore, Lord Happy of the Exceed Dynasty, Lady Carla of the Exceed Dynasty, Lord Momo of the Momo Dynasty. Your Momo-ness." Aang said in a sophisticated manner.
"A pleasure to meet you, Avatar Aang." Happy said as he bows and Momo does the same.
"Avatar Aang. How do you do? Go on." Sokka said also wearing a curtain like a noble's robe and is mimicking a high class person.
"Sir Sokka of the Water Tribe and Avatar Aang. What a pleasure!" Natsu said also wearing a curtain like a robe and is also mimicking a high class person.
Aang starts bowing at the two and Sokka bows back while Natsu bows back but Aang bows back again but Sokka bows back again but Natsu bows back again and they keep bowing to each other until they bow at the same time and hit each other in their heads and they fall to the floor.
"Enjoying the floor, Sir Idiots-elot?" Gray asked.
"Katara, Lucy, Erza, and Wendy might be able to pull it off, but you three and Ice boy would be lucky to pass as busboys." Toph said.
"But I feel so fancy!" Sokka said but Jiba's snot lands on Sokka's forehead.
Later on it's now dusk and Aang and Sokka are playing a game while Natsu is playing with his fire while Gray is laying down in his boxers while Jiba is also laying on the ground.
"Earth!" Aang said closing his fist.
"Fire!" Sokka said wriggling his fist but Sokka grumbles for losing the game and Aang raises his arms in victory.
A door opens and Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Katara, and Toph enter the room and are wearing makeup, exotic Earth Kingdom dresses, and holding fans and they look at the males while giggling.
"Wow, Katara. You look beautiful." Aang said blushing.
"You guys look nice." Gray said as he sees Natsu looking at Lucy stunned at how she's looking and Gray smirks at that.
Katara was about to reply to Aang's comment but Toph places her fan in front.
"Don't talk to the commoners, Katara. First rule of society." Toph said.
"We'll get in the party and then we'll find a way to let you in through the side gate." Lucy said and the four girls leave the house.
"We should get ready soon." Gray said and then he slaps Natsu to snap him out of his trance.
"You guys can go. I'm staying. I don't give a crap about parties." Jiba said.
The males then see Momo walking past them while wearing one of the curtains cape.
"Lord Momo?" Happy asked and they shrug.
Meanwhile at the tea shop Zuko, Iroh, and Aiko are working and outside Jet is spying from an alley and Jet has a look of suspicion.
"Jet, we need to talk." A voice said and Jet turns to see Smellerbee and Longshot.
"What? Oh, good. It's you guys. Where have you been? I could use some help with some surveillance here." Jet said.
"We've been talking and we think you're becoming obsessed with this. It's not healthy." Smellerbee said.
"Oh, really? You BOTH think this?" Jet asked and Longshot places his arm around Smellerbee.
"We came here to make a fresh start, but you won't let this go. Even though there is no real proof." Smellerbee said.
"Well, maybe if you'd help me!" Jet replied.
"Jet, you gotta stop this." Smellerbee said.
"Maybe you've forgotten why we need to start over. Maybe you've forgotten about how the Fire Nation left us all homeless. How they wiped out all the people we loved. If you don't want to help me, I'll get the evidence on my own." Jet said as he walks away and into the tea shop.
In the tea shop Iroh is pouring tea for a customer.
"This is the best tea in the city!" The customer said.
"The secret ingredient is love." Iroh said as he walks to the back of the shop while Zuko gives a disgusted look.
"I think you're due for a raise." Pao said.
Just then the door is slammed open by Jet.
"I'm tired of waiting! Those three are Firebenders!" Jet said pointing at Zuko, Iroh, and Aiko and then takes out his hookswords while the three look at each other. "I know they're Firebenders! I saw the old man heating his tea!" Jet said.
"He works at a tea shop." The customer said.
"He's a Firebender! I'm TELLING you!" Jet said.
"Drop your swords, boy. Nice and easy." The customer warned standing up along with another man.
"You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead. Show them what you can do." Jet said walking toward the three.
As one of the men take out their swords Zuko takes them.
"You want a show? I'll give you a show!" Zuko said.
"I never thought it would come to this. Now you've left me with no option." Aiko said as she takes out a dagger.
Aiko pulls a table in front of her with her foot and then throws it at Jet who slices the table with his swords and jumps over it and then lands while swinging his hookswords at Zuko and Aiko but the two deflect his attack and Zuko jumps back to another table while Aiko jumps to a different table but Jet slices the tables in half and then swings his sword through the middle of the tables.
Zuko steps onto one half of the table he's on and balances on one foot and Aiko does the same and Jet continues to attack by cutting the legs on the halves on the tables the two are standing on but Zuko and Aiko jump off and land and Zuko swings his broadswords at Jet's feet but Jet somersaults away and then lands in a crouching position and charges at Zuko again but Aiko swings her dagger to defend her cousin but Jet blocks the attack and their weapons are clashed together.
Meanwhile at the entrance of the palace the high class citizens of Ba Sing Se are lined up and being admitted inside by a guard that's checking invitations of one group before letting them pass and Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Katara, and Toph are next in line to approach the guard.
"Invitation please." The guard said.
"I think this will do." Toph said showing the guard the official seal of the Beifong family.
"No entry without a ticket. Step out of line please." The guard said.
"Look, the Pangs and the Yum Soon Hans are waiting in there for us. I'm going to have to tell them WHO didn't let me in." Toph said.
"Step out of line please." The guard repeated in a more stern tone while pointing to the side and the girls do what the guard says.
"Now what do we do?" Wendy asked.
"Hmm..." Lucy sees a carriage arriving and sees a man wearing a black robe coming out and two Dai Li agents bow to him giving Lucy an idea. "I got it! Follow me." Lucy said as the girls approach the man. "Excuse me, sir. I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but my cousin has lost our invitations." Lucy said.
"She's blind." Katara whispered.
"Do you mind helping us? Our family is in there and I'm sure they're very worried." Wendy said.
"I am honored." The man said smiling and bowing his head.
"What is going on here?" A voice asked and the group turn to see a woman with taupe long hair, red eyes, and wearing an Earth Kingdom dress approaching the man.
"These ladies need to get into the party to get to their family." The man explained.
"Really? Very well. I'll help you as well. Please come with me." The woman said.
The woman and the man lead the girls back to the guard and the guard bows to the man and the woman and they all go into the palace and while walking in Katara, Toph, and Lucy stick their tongues out to the guard who has his back turned.
Inside the palace there are lots of upper classed people and at the end of the table a brown furred bear wearing Earth Kingdom clothing is eating a steak while two guests are seated beside it.
"He's taking all the good stuff!" The older guest said.
"Quiet! Do you know what I had to do to get seats THIS near the bear?" The younger guest asked but the bear hits the younger guest and then gets on the table and starts eating.
Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Katara, Toph, the man, and the woman enter the hall of the palace.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" The man asked. "By the way, I am Long Feng. I'm a cultural minister to the King." Long Feng introduced.
"And I am Takana. It's nice to meet you." Takana introduced.
"I'm Li Fan." Lucy introduced.
"I'm Jing." Erza introduced.
"I'm Kata." Wendy introduced.
"I'm Kwa Mai." Katara introduced.
"And this is Dum." Lucy introduced Toph who yanks a string of Lucy's headdress but Lucy grabs her wrist before doing so.
"Now where is your family? I'd love to meet them." Long Feng said.
"Uh...I don't see them right now, but I'm sure we'll find them soon." Lucy said.
"Yeah. Thank you two so much for your help." Katara said as they start to move but Long Feng appears in front of them.
"Don't worry. As your escort, it would be dishonorable to abandon you ladies without finding your family first. We'll keep looking." Long Feng said as he turns around and leads the girls.
"Damn it." Lucy cursed to herself.
"Let's just stick with him for now." Erza said.
Meanwhile outside the palace Aang peeks around the pedestal of a statue of a lion and he's looking for the girls.
"Where are they?" Aang asked.
"Look, I came up with a back-up plan. We dress Momo up like a ghost. He flies around the guards, creating a distraction. Then we blast a hole in the wall..." Sokka was cut off by Gray.
"Sorry to interrupt your 'genius' plan, but I have an idea. We could go in with these guys." Gray said looking at busboys unloading supplies from a carriage and taking them inside.
"That's a good idea. Toph said we could pass as busboys." Aang said.
"Sounds good." Natsu said.
"Okay. But remember that Momo ghost plan. I think it's a winner." Sokka said.
"Right." Gray said sarcastically and they sink back behind the pedestal.
Meanwhile outside the tea shop Zuko bursts out through the door and tumbles onto the street and Aiko runs after him to help him but Jet runs after her and then strikes at her with his two hookswords but Aiko blocks the attack and they lock weapons.
"You seem to be tired of using your dagger. Why don't you go ahead and Firebend at me?" Jet asked but Aiko pushes Jet back.
"Please, son! You're confused! You don't know what you're doing!" Iroh said.
The three continue to fight and Zuko swings his broadswords at Jet but Jet stops the broadsword with the end of his hookswords and then spins around and deflects the sword to the side but Aiko spins with her dagger to counterattack but Jet hooks the ends of his hookswords together and begins to spin them at Zuko and Aiko like a flail and the two step back to defend themselves.
"Bet you two wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast right now." Jet said as he swings at Zuko's feet.
Zuko then stabs one of his broadswords through the hilt of Jet's hookswords and pinning them to the ground and Jet looks at him with annoyance.
"YOU'RE the one who needs help." Zuko replied.
Jet and Zuko lose both swords and start fighting with one only sword and Jet turns in a circle and swipes at Zuko but Aiko advances and swings her dagger at Jet who pulls his attack just in time to bend backward to avoid Aiko's blade as it cuts the wheat in Jet's mouth in half and Jet regains his balance and jumps backward onto the edge of a well.
"You see that?! The Fire Nation is trying to silence me! It'll NEVER happen!" Jet said as he hooks his sword to the top of the well and then delivers a flying kick at Zuko and Aiko.
Meanwhile at the palace Aang, Sokka, Natsu, and Gray are dressed as busboys and are serving food to the guests and Aang is looking around.
"Where are Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Katara, and Toph?" Aang asked.
"Never mind them. Just focus on finding the King." Gray said as he's getting annoyed by Happy's tail which is sticking out of Natsu's hat wagging at him.
"But we don't know what he looks like." Natsu said.
"You know, royal, flowing robe, fancy jewelry." Sokka said as he grips Momo's tail which is sticking out of Aang's hat that's also wagging.
"But that could be anyone." Aang said looking at all people fitting Sokka's description.
As the males are still looking around a hand touches Sokka.
"Another crab puff, please!" A voice said and Sokka turns to Toph but his eyes are closed and serves Toph not knowing it's her.
"Hey, you found us!" Aang said.
"I'd know your little fancy steps anywhere, Twinkle Toes." Toph said.
"And I used my sense of smell to find you." Wendy said and Lucy, Erza, and Katara arrive making Aang blush at Katara while Natsu blushes at Lucy.
"Thanks for letting us in." Sokka said sarcastically.
"What took you so long?" Gray asked.
"Will you two shut up?!" Erza demanded making Sokka and Gray back off.
"Look, we're sorry, but the guy who escorted us here won't let us out of his sight!" Lucy said and Sokka and Gray look around and they don't see anyone following them.
"What guy?" Sokka asked.
As the gang are looking around Joo Dee approaches them and is anxious to see them.
"What are you doing here? You have to leave now or we will all be in terrible trouble!" Joo Dee said as she tries to push Sokka who blocks with his tray.
"We're not leaving until we see the King." Natsu said.
"You don't understand. You must go." Joo Dee said as she shoves Sokka on Aang making him spill water in the pitcher he was carrying on a guest and the guest is now wet and soaked.
"Sorry! Please don't shout!" Aang said as he uses his hands and foot to bend a gust of wind at the guest while blowing his hat off along with Momo still in it and he dries the water off the guest but her hair, clothes, and makeup are now a mess and Aang smiles sheepishly.
"The Avatar! I didn't realize the Avatar is here!" The guest said amazed and everyone is now focused on Aang while Joo Dee's smile turns into a frown.
Aang looks at the guests and he smiles nervously while waving at them.
"Aang, you get their attention. We'll look for the King." Lucy whispered and Aang nods.
"Watch this, everybody!" Aang said as he jumps out of his busboy outfit and lands on the long table and Aang starts swinging his arms over the guests' drinks and starts Waterbending the drinks out of the cups and then jumps on a pitcher and balances on it while still Waterbending and Aang brings the liquid above his head and creates a multi colored ball and the crowds watch in amazement and cheers and the bear claps at Aang's show.
Meanwhile back outside the tea shop Zuko and Aiko are still fighting Jet and Zuko growls as he swings his sword at Jet who dodges the attack and gets behind Zuko and the two start striking each other from behind each other and neither of them are breaking their defense but as they keep fighting two Dai Li agents walk toward the fight.
"Drop your swords." One of the Dai Li agents said and the two back from each other while their weapons.
"Arrest them! They're Firebenders!" Jet declared pointing at them.
"This poor boy is confused. We are just simple refugees." Iroh said.
"This young man wrecked my tea shop and assaulted my employees!" Pao said.
"It's true, sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city." One of the men from before said.
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Iroh said blushing.
The two Dai Li agents walk to Jet.
"Come with us, son." One of the Dai Li agents said and Jet tries to attack but the agents catches the sword with his rock gloves and they disarm Jet and put his arms behind his back and binding his hands together with their rock gloves.
The Dai Li agents drag Jet away toward a wagon that is used for arresting criminals.
"You don't understand! They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!" Jet said but the agents throw Jet into the wagon and shut the door.
A crowd of people watch the wagon driving away and Smellerbee and Longshot are among the crowd and they walk away after watching the wagon leave.
Back at the palace two lines of guards walk into the hall and eight of the guards are carrying a curtained palanquin and the Earth King is sitting inside the palanquin and the crowd see the Earth King's presence and Sokka sneaks through the crowd to try and see the King as the guards place the palanquin down and face the guests.
Lucy also gets a look at the King and turns to Aang.
"Aang! The Earth King is here." Lucy said.
Aang who is entertaining the bear with Waterbending bubbles and then Aang notices the King and creates an air scooter and rides through the table.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Aang said as he's still riding through the table while guests pull their food away so they won't get run over.
The guards then pick up the palanquin and they start to walk away while carrying it again.
Sokka exists the crowd and Gray is with him and they try to follow the King but two Dai Li agents grab them and start leading them away while pulling their arms behind their backs.
"What're you doing?!" Gray demanded.
"Let us go!" Sokka said.
Two more Dai Li agents are behind a pillar and they throw their rock gloves out and they fly toward Katara, Toph, Erza, and Wendy and then rock gloves grab Toph and Wendy while the other rock gloves grab Erza and Katara.
A Dai Li agent spots Natsu and the agent throws his two rock gloves at Natsu and they grab him along with Happy who is still under Natsu's hat.
A Dai Li agent is standing and watching and then he notices a hat going by and the agent lifts the hat and reveals Momo who looks up surprised.
Aang is still riding through the table with his air scooter while Lucy is making her way and the two reach the end of the table but they see a line of Dai Li agents making them stop and Long Feng walks up from behind the agents.
"Avatar, it is a great honor to meet you." Long Feng said and he turns to Lucy. "And you as well, Celestial Mage. I am Long Feng. Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se and head of the Dai Li." Long Feng introduced.
"What do you want?" Lucy asked.
"I'd like to speak with you two. Your friends will be waiting for us in the library." Long Feng said as walks away.
Lucy and Aang were hesitant at first but they follow Long Feng.
The library doors shut and the gang are in the library and are facing Long Feng who is sitting in front of a hearth that's illuminating with green fire.
"Why won't you let us see the Earth King?" Erza asked.
"We have information that could defeat the Fire Nation!" Sokka said.
"The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day to day minutia of military activities." Long Feng said.
"This could be the most important thing he's ever heard." Natsu said.
"What's important to His Royal Majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters. It's MY job to oversee the rest of the city's resources, including the military." Long Feng said.
"So the King is just a figurehead?" Wendy asked.
"Worse! He's this guy's puppet!" Toph said pointing at Long Feng.
"Oh, no, no. His Majesty is an icon. A god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly change of an endless war." Long Feng said.
"But we found out about the solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless! You could lead the invasion..." Gray was cut off by Long Feng.
"Enough! I don't want to hear about your ridiculous plan! It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned within the walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic." Long Feng said.
Meanwhile the two Dai Li agents drag Jet into a dark room and they throw him into a stone chair.
"You have to believe me! They're Firebenders! They won't stop until they win the war!" Jet said but the agents throw their rock gloves at Jet's head making him be held in place.
"Calm down. You're safe now." One of the Dai Li agents said as he's standing in front of Jet and in the middle of a metal track and a small orange lantern attached to the track starts circling around the track.
Back with Long Feng.
"Our economy will be ruined. Our peaceful way of life, our traditions would disappear." Long Feng said.
Back with Jet and the Dai Li agent.
"There is no war in Ba Sing Se." The Dai Li agent said as the lantern continues to circle around the track.
"What are you talking about? Where do you think all these refugees come from? You can't hide it." Jet said and the lantern circles near Jet.
Back with Long Feng.
"In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia. The last one in the world." Long Feng said making the gang shocked and horrified.
Back with Jet a stone hand covers Jet's mouth and he watches the lantern circle again.
"There is no war within the walls. Here, we are safe. Here, we are free." The Dai Li agent said and Jet's eyes start to widen.
Back with Long Feng and the gang.
"You can't just keep the truth from all these people." Katara said.
"They have to know the truth!" Lucy said.
"I'LL tell them! I'll make sure everyone knows!" Aang said.
"Until now, you all have been treated as honored guests, but from now on, you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the war to ANYONE, you will be expelled from this city. I understand that you have been looking for your bison. It would be quite a shame if you were unable to complete your quest." Long Feng said making Aang angry.
"That's blackmail!" Lucy yelled pointing her finger.
"Hmph. Now, Joo Dee will show you to your home." Long Feng said and another woman enters the library.
"Come with me please." The woman said.
"What happened to Joo Dee?" Natsu asked.
"I'm Joo Dee. I'll be your host as long as you're in our wonderful city." The second Joo Dee said as she smiles at the gang.
"This can't be happening." Lucy said.
"This won't be necessary. I'll escort them back home." A voice said and the group see the woman that escorted the girls into the palace with Long Feng.
"You? Don't you have any..." Long Feng was cut off by the woman.
"I'm...taking them...home!" The woman said sternly.
"Very well." Long Feng said.
"Good. Okay, come with me." The woman said.
"Just who are you?" Aang asked.
"Not important. Let's just get you home. It's getting late." The woman said.
"I think we should trust her. She did help us." Lucy said.
"Yeah." Wendy said.
"If you say so." Gray said.
"Okay. Take us home then." Erza said and the gang leave the library with the woman.
Another chapter done! I hope you enjoyed this one. This one took me all night to write this chapter. I'm still gonna keep writing this story for those who think I'm abandoning it. It's just that I will be busy. Anyway, that's enough from me. Don't forget to review. No flames! No questioning my writing! I'll see you in the next chapter. Bye!