Hey readers. I worked so hard on the last post that I nearly burned myself out. I also didn't get much response either, but my sister has just managed to motivate me! Here's Ch.51! It was hard to write because I've had so many different versions. I know this chapters short but there will be more to follow. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 51: Walls
The frozen mists surrounding the Northern Water Tribe were finally beginning to burn off from the morning sun. The winds were calm and all was quite along the outer wall with the usual exception of the guards.
"Man this sucks," the youngest tower guard complained.
The older two guards sighed. "You say that every time you have watch," the eldest commented as he pushed one of his dreadlocks behind an ear.
"But it's true!" the youngest defended. "Why do we have to stand watch anyways? The war has been over for years. We haven't seen the Fire Nation since the Avatar kicked their butts almost five years ago. So what's the big deal anymore?"
It was an argument that the oldest guard had been hearing more and more lately.
"Look," he said exasperated; it was too early in the morning for this. "Until the Tribal leaders decide otherwise, we will continue to diligently watch the oceans and skies for any enemies."
The young warrior rolled his eyes and stared back out to sea. 'Yea, but this still sucks,' he thought.
It wasn't long before their routine would be change forever.
All of a sudden out of the mists two hundred sky bison few straight for the Northern Water Tribe. The Water Tribe Warriors stood gapping at the armada they were now surrounded by. The oldest man snapped out of his shocked stupor long enough to ring the large bell to alarm the residents behind them.
The sky bison remained high up but they all maneuvered above the great ice wall that protected the city. One bison with horns broke away from the others and flew overhead straight to their palace.
Chief Arnook, along with many others upon hearing the warning signal, stepped outside and as result met Aang outside the palace steps.
"Chief Arnook," Issuma spoke as she approached from behind Aang.
The 54 year old chief eyed the old woman with suspicion. She was wearing Water Tribe clothing but he didn't know who she was.
"The time has come for change," she spoke with a smile. She then handed the Chieftain two scrolls.
"What's going on?" Arnook asked as he opened up one of the scrolls.
"It's just as she says," Aang said. "It's time for change."
Arnook looked up and finally saw the sky bison in the distance and his eyes grew wide.
Aang couldn't stay. They had many more stops to make and turned on his heal.
Arnook was about to stop him to question him, but Issuma raised a hand to stop him and tapped the scrolls in his hand.
"One's an explanation," she spoke, "and the others a declaration."
"A declaration? For what?"
Issuma turned to face the ocean which drew Arnook's eyes back to the bison just as dozens of men and women could be seen jumping down onto the outer wall.
The Water Tribe guards didn't know what to do as men and women began to descend to the right and left of their tower. What was more alarming was once they landed they all in unison began to melt the wall back into water!
"Hey! Stop!" one guard yelled out as he moved to attack but then an old man jumped down in front of him to stop him.
"Cool it," Amarok casually spoke.
The three guards were completely confused. They were surrounded by bison and their wall was being melted away bit by bit.
"You see that bison headed back towards us," Amarok indicated towards the palace. "That's the Avatar returning."
"But what's going on?" the younger one asked a bit scared but definitely confused.
Old Amarok smirked. "It has been decreed by the Avatar… for the next ten years walls around cities are banned."
"Hun?"
Amarok didn't stick around to explain further. In one swift motion he broke the top of the guard house off the wall and lowered it with the three men still inside down to sea level. Now standing alone on the quickly fading wall, Amarok thrusted his arms down and began melting everything beneath him. By the time Aang along with Issuma, Appa, and other riders returned to the outer wall it was completely melted away.
The villagers stood in fear and awe. The fact that foreign Water Benders were the ones at work kept them from attacking.
As fast as they appeared, they were gone. The guards stood there in full bewilderment over what had just transpired.
Chief Arnook blinked back the bright light that now reflected off the ocean and into their city. The icy wall that had protected them for a century was completely gone. Being a non bender himself, Arnook could only be in awe over the swift attack. Their wall had been tall and thick. Most Water Benders in their tribe couldn't have made an impact like that within such a short time.
'Why,' his mind asked.
It wasn't long before the elders snapped from their trances and began pelting the Chief with complaints and worries.
Arnook just looked back down to the scrolls in his hands. The answers were written there.
King Bumi was munching on a celery stick as he re-read the two scrolls in his hands. The sounds of crumbling walls could be heard in the distance right along with his palace guards panicking, but the old King ignored them.
"My, my this is bold," King Bumi marveled to himself. "Because every nation has been at a standstill all these years because no one trusts anyone, Aang has decreed no one may have walls surrounding their cities."
"Even the palace walls?" a young Earth Bender asked who was seated next to the old King.
"Well no," Bumi replied. "It seems a wall around the palace is still allowed seeing that's how things were before the war," Bumi reasoned.
The young man thought about that.
Soon the loud crumbling sounds died out.
"Well I imagine that removing everyone's walls all at once was pretty smart of him," the young man acknowledged.
"Yes," Bumi agreed. "Aang certainly has thought of all the possibilities. I know he cares a great deal for all of us and respects the authority we have but in this case I think it was wise of him not to give anyone an option… wouldn't you agree my Great Grandson?" Bumi's crazy old voice cracked.
The kid smiled. "Yes," he agreed. "Now I can see why you've been waiting all this time. But who would have imagined there were living Air Benders!" he marveled.
King Bumi picked up the second scroll once more. "Yes, indeed."
Times were definitely changing. King Bumi finally knew in his heart that he could finally step down from the thrown. It wasn't something he was going to do at that moment but he knew he'd do so before years end. His two children and grandson had died in the war, but his great grandson had survived in secret on the nearby mountain and would take the thrown. King Bumi knew there were many things his old friend the Avatar didn't know about himself, but that was fine for now. With this dramatic change, King Bumi knew a Lotus Meeting was in his near future. For now, however, he had a panicking people he needed to deal with.
Aang had finally done it. After a week of traveling around the world Aang, along with the help of so many others, was able to remove all the walls and fortifications of every major city. He would have to make rounds periodically to make sure no one tried to rebuild them, but that was just part of his never ending job. In any case, it felt good to have finally made a political decision on his own. He was the Avatar after all and had the authority to do such things but he never before had the recourses let along the idea.
Some were angry over the Avatars decision. Many still feared the power of the Fire Nation, but that would subside over time for most of them.
The world overall had been in shock to see so many Air Benders alive. The herd had flown over every town with the good news. On the backs of every bison stood at least one of every bender who all proudly spun their element in circles for all to see while Air Benders flew on gliders beside the bison. It was as if a joyous parade was in constant motion.
Balance and the feeling of Peace was spreading across the world like wildfire now.
Truly this was the beginning of a new era…
Wow it's the END!
Well not really. I have 4 Epilouge chapters to follow...
As of right now, I don't like how this chapter turned out. I have billions of different versions in my head but for now I'll accept this version. Your thoughts are much apreciated!
(If you re-read Ch.31 you'll see where Aang first mention's walls if you're interested.)
