I don't own Star Wars Rebels or anything associated with Star Wars in general which belongs to Disney and Lucasfilm nor Avatar the Last Airbender which belongs to Nickelodeon, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. This story is strictly being done for pure fun and in no way is an attempt to profit of the properties involved.
Hey everyone. So now we're here with the next chapter. To all those who have reviewed so far then thank you. If there's anything I'm doing wrong or you think could be improved upon please let me know. Anyway if you're still reading or are reading for the first time then I hope you enjoy.
Omashu, Earth Kingdom
The blue sky was bright and the sun shining. The calm nature contrasted with the grim reality of red Fire Nation and Imperial flags waving in the wind. The Earth Kingdom city of Omashu has been captured by the Fire Nation and the Empire. Flags bearing the Fire Nation and Imperial insignias were now proudly hung as gray plumes of smoke filled the air surrounding the fallen city.
Aang viewed the city and was completely stunned "I can't believe it. I know the War has spread far, but Omashu always seemed ... untouchable."
"Up until now it was." Sokka said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Now Ba Sing Se is the only great Earth Kingdom stronghold left."
"It took the biggest invasion force of the Clone Wars to attack Coruscant and capture the Chancellor." Kanan remembered "I was off world at the time as were many Jedi. By dividing us the ultimate trap was laid and in hindsight felt like a diversion on purpose."
"This is horrible" Katara agreed as she approached Aang "But we have to move on."
"No, I'm going in to find Bumi." Aang said determined not to let him go.
"Aang, stop. We don't even know if Bumi's still …" Sokka tried to say
Aang angrily cut him off "What? If he's still what?"
Sokka tried to sound unsure "A-around."
"Smooth save" Zeb said looking at him.
"I know you had your heart set on Bumi, but there are other people who can teach you earthbending." Katara assured him.
"This isn't about finding a teacher. This is about finding my friend." Aang said
"So what do we do?" Sokka asked him.
Hera looked at Ezra and Kanan. She remembered Ezra making the same kind of plea when Kanan was captured and sent to Mustafar. Ahsoka advised her not to go as she would be emotionally compromised and the personal mission could have put them at risk. But Bumi's disappearance also could have been due to a capture deliberately used to divide the people and conquer the rest. "The people of Omashu need guidance and without their leader they have no one to look too and make the next decision." Hera gave a look of assurance that indicated they would help.
"Like we've said before Aang whatever call you make we'll help." Ezra assured him.
Aang smiled, thankful for their assistance.
Below Omashu's gate
Aang was attempting to open the entrance to a secret tunnel which surprised Sokka "A secret passage? Why didn't we just use this last time?"
Aang opened the tunnel, revealing it to be filled with sewage as Sokka exclaimed "Ugh!"
"That answer your question?" Aang asked him.
"Good thing I fixed my jetpack" Sabine said thankful fly over the murky waters that would damage her paint as the group proceeded through the tunnel to the inside of Omashu.
After making their way through the sewers Sokka was the only one covered in sewage. Hera had been guided safely through by Kanan while Zeb and Rex climbed their way down and he and Ezra used the Force to guide their way. After Katara cleaned him off with waterbending he screamed upon seeing three pentapi had attached themselves to his skin. He tryied to yank the pentapox off. "Ahh! They won't let go! Help!"
Aang quickly tackled Sokka into a wall in order to slience him "Shh! Stop making so much noise. It's just a purple pentapus."
Sokka looked at the pentapuses in fear as Aang removed the first pentapus by lightly rubbing its head as Sokka watched. Sokka rubbed the spot where the creature was attached, doing the same procedure to get the second one off.
"You had it coming you cry baby" Zeb bemoaned.
Sokka splashed some sewage water to get back at him as Zeb glared at him ready to lynch him before several guards suddenly approach them as Aang took the third one off. The Ghost crew hid near the wall trying not be spotted.
"Hey! What are you kids doing out past curfew?" One guard asked.
"Sorry. We were just on our way home." Katara lied as the kids turned and walked away, Sokka bringing up the rear. The guard then noticed the red welts on the back of Sokka's neck. "Wait, what's the matter with him?"
"Uh, he has pentapox, sir." Katara lied as he approached her "Umm, it's highly contagious."
"Oh, it's so awful. I'm dying." Sokka said exaggerating.
"And deadly." Katara said
Kanan used the mind trick careful not to be spotted "You know of this disease."
"Hey, I think I heard of pentapox! Didn't your cousin Chang die of it?" one guard said trying to remember.
"You will leave this place and return home to take extreme caution." Ezra said attempting to join him.
"We'd better go wash our hands, and burn our clothes." The other guard said as they ran away in fear
Kanan put a hand of acknowledgement on Ezra's shoulder as they stepped out.
Aang was grateful "Thank you, sewer friends."
On board Azula's ship, open waters
Azula was consulting her assistants, Li and Lo. Both tended to speak in cryptic riddles to get their points across as Li spoke "When tracking your brother and uncle, traveling with the royal procession may no longer be an option."
"May no longer be wise." Lo added
"If you hope to keep the element of surprise." Both spoke.
Azula had come to the same conclusion but needed some assurance first. As Vader mentioned he had to leave he still acknowledged he'd watch over the area and would be around so without him she was down for now a serious power protection but was confident in her plan. She then made her decision. "The Royal Procession is dead weight. If I want to catch my prey, I must be agile, nimble. I need a small, elite team. Kallus and his soldiers provide an effective force and are an advantage. But they are still outsiders despite being our allies. It's time to visit some old friends."
Kallus had been watching from a door as he then left and returned to his quarters. As a spy he had heard of many Rebel code names and subspace frequencies. One of which was how he encountered Saw Gerrera in the first place and now he was using to make contact on a receiver "This is Fulcrum to the Blue Spirit. I'm afraid the situation is getting more complicated."
Omashu, Earth Kingdom
It was now twilight in Omashu as the Ghost Crew and Team Avatar were sneaking around as they hid behind some metal bars used for construction as a patrol passes.
"Let's find Bumi and get out of here." Katara said
"Sounds like a plan. But where would they be keeping him?" Ezra asked.
"Somewhere he can't earthbend. Somewhere made of metal." Aang said
Katara remembered how being stuck on a metal ship affected Haru's father and his people's well being "I doubt Bumi has any coal he can use"
"It would have to be a container of some kind." Hera theorised "Or carbon freezing."
"Carbon freezing?" Sokka asked not knowing about it.
"It's a process of liquid carbonite being flash-frozen into a solid state that can encase people or materials in a strong metal alloy. Carbonite is made from carbon gas." Sabine explained.
"The Empire could have suggested this as the ultimate containment method. But people are known not to survive and if they want him alive they wouldn't risk it." Kanan said trying to think.
"Wherever or whatever he's contained in we'll find him." Aang said determined as the group pressed on
Somewhere in Omashu,
A young woman with black hair and an emotionless expression named was walking behind two Fire Nation guards and next to an older woman carrying a baby. There really is no fathoming the depths of my hatred for this place."
"Mai, your father was appointed governor. We're like royalty here. Be happy and enjoy it." Her mother named Michi told her
Unbeknownst to them some rocks, were about to be pushed down one of Omashu's mail delivery chutes where they were walking.
"The targets are approaching." One of the resistance fighters said.
Yung, their leader gave the order "Take them out.
"I thought my life was boring in the Fire Nation, but this place is unbearably bleak. Nothing ever happens." Mai said in a dull tone
The resistance fighter at the beginning of the chute, proceeded to push the rocks down the chute with earthbending. Aang and the others, walking by noticed the rocks crumbling down at high speed as Aang looked in distress at Mai's party. He quickly raised his staff to pulverizes the rock with a blast of air as it passed as Kanan and Ezra helped clear it away with the Force. Mai's party was now alerted by the sound and looked up to see what caused it.
"The resistance!" Michi cried pointing at Aang.
Mai had a faint smile on her face as she spread her arms at Aang, causing tiny arrows to fly toward him as Aang quickly jumped up, avoiding the arrows which buried themselves in the stack of construction material Aang landed on. Aang, Katara, Sokka and Momo proceeded to un away as two of the Fire Nation guards began climbing up ladders to get to them before the Ghost Crew held them off, Sabine and Zeb shooting the two guards with their blasters as their bodies fell off into the deep.
Mai quickly reached the top as she ran toward Katara, stretching out her right hand, shooting off some more arrows as Katara raised a shield of ice to protect herself, the arrows embedding themselves in it while Mai continued to charge at the fleeing Katara. After letting Katara pass Aang, with a spinning sweep of wind, he causes some of the construction scaffolding to collapse as Mai directed a throwing star right at Aang which he proceeded to stop with a twirl of his staff. Mai stood on one side of the collapsed scaffolding having a clear shot on Aang, Katara, Sokka and Momo and the Ghost crew. As she threw more arrows at them Kanan and Ezra used the Force to direct them away before, the ground beneath the team opened up, making them disappear as it rapidly closed again. Mai looked at the place where her targets disappeared, letting out a deep sigh as she turned around and walked away.
Beneath the Omashu tunnels, Earth Kingdom
A group of people who are looking at the three kids and the Ghost crew. Yung, flanked by two other men looked down at them with a determined look that meant he wanted answers.
Circus, further outside Omashu
This new environment was covered in mountains and tents as people were working hard. It looked to be a festival of some kind to Kallus not unlike the ones he oversaw on Lothal. "What exactly are we doing here?"
"I was told she'd be here. If I'm right then I'll be able to catch up. If not we'll be on our way." Azula assured him "Don't worry Agent we'll get back on track to capturing the Avatar and my brother."
"It's an unnecessary detour." Kallus advised.
"This detour however you want to call it is necessary" Azula assured him "But I am also quite bored and in need of entertainment."
Entering a tent Azula and Kallus saw a young girl close to the former in age standing on her index fingers
"Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?" Azula asked her.
Ty Lee smiled upon seeing her "Azula" Ty Lee flipped from her stance, proceeding to spin around in a graceful twirl to bow down before Azula. She then ran forward to embrace her "It is so good to see you!"
"Please, don't let me interrupt your …" Azula said she raised an eyebrow in wonder. "Whatever it is you were doing."
Ty Lee, still smiling, proceeded to do a back flip as she laid on her chest with one leg stretched out over her head and the other straight up to the sky. Kallus raised an eyebrow in surprise at the girl's acrobatics. Now he realised she wasn't kidding about her plans for stealth.
Azula glanced around "Tell me, what is the daughter of a nobleman doing here? Certainly our parents didn't send us to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls to end up in ... places like this. Azula looked at three men trying to move a platypus bear. The Bear groaned as it moved up to reveal that it had laid an egg. Azula looked at this in disgust and turned her attention back to Ty Lee, grinning once more. "I have a proposition for you."
Ty Lee was lying on the ground, watching the same Platypus bear as Azula, but she looked happy to see what had happened. As Azula addressed her, she diverted her attention away from the bear and looked at Azula in a wondering gaze.
"I'm hunting a traitor." Azula said looking casually at her nails. "You remember my old fuddy-duddy uncle, don't you?"
Ty Lee rested on her chest and elbows, but now with her both feet resting on her head. "Oh yeah. He was so funny."
"I would be honoured if you would join me on my mission." Azula said as she forgot the other individual who was with her "This is Agent Kallus. His Imperial security force is part of our alliance with the Fire Nation's new ally the Empire. He serves as our guard."
"Oh ... I ... uh ... would love to." Ty Lee said standing up in a fluid elegant movement. "But the truth is, I'm really happy here. I mean, my aura has never been pinker!" She then looked at Kallus as she blushed upon seeing his attractive face "Oh hi..."
Kallus simply acknowledged her with a small nod.
Azula raised up her hand in a "stop" motion to Ty Lee. "I'll take your word for it. Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me."
Ty Lee bowed in respect." Thank you, Azula."
Azula began walking away with Kallus following behind "Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show."
Ty Lee suddenly broke her stance, as she gasped in panic. She then continued her stretch once more, the expression of panic changing to one of worry. "Uh ... yeah ... sure ... uh ... of course …"
Kallus caught her tone and seeing Azula's casual display made him think she wasn't here to be entertained. She was leaving with her one way or another. Another part of this mastery of manipulation Zuko spoke of that he was beginning to realise wasn't exaggerated by the Prince.
Underground cave, Omashu, Earth Kingdom
At the other side of the room, Aang, Sokka, Katara and the Ghost crew entered the large space through a tunnel, talking to three other men.
"So, is King Bumi with you guys? Is he leading the resistance?" Aang asked
Yung angrily balled his fist as he answered Aang's question. "Of course not! The day of the invasion, we readied ourselves for battle. We were prepared to defend our city ... to fight for our lives and for our freedom. But before we even had a chance, King Bumi surrendered."
Aang, who was clearly disconcerted by the news as Katara gave Aang a look of concern.
"What was his motive for surrendering?" Hera asked "Did the Fire Nation surround you?"
"The day of the invasion, I asked King Bumi what he wanted to do. He looked me in the eye and said … we would do nothing. He then laughed like the lunatic I always believed him to be. For years I've felt he's too old to be running the kingdom. He needs to appoint his successor sooner rather then later." Yung explained.
"You don't know his teachings like we've seen. Whatever reason he did it for. I'm sure it was wise." Ezra said as he noticed Aang smile.
"I don't think so kid. Maybe misjudged him." Zeb said remembering the crazy king he still didn't trust.
Yung nodded "The beast is correct in his assumption. It doesn't matter now though."
Aang sadly lowered his eyes
"Fighting the Fire Nation is the only path to freedom. And freedom is worth dying for." Yung said with a smile on his face.
Aang sadly leaned on his staff as he raised his eyes as while addressing Yung. "Actually there's another path to freedom. You could leave Omashu. You're directing all your energy to fight the Fire Nation. But you're outnumbered. You can't win. Now's the time to retreat, so you can live to fight another day."
"You don't understand. They've taken our home, and we have to fight them at any cost!" Yung said as he made some powerful hand gestures to make his point more clear.
"I understand wanting to protect your home. We all do" Hera said as she gestured to Sabine, Ezra, Kanan, Rex and Zeb "We've all fought to protect our homes and we still are. But with those battles often came at a cost of more lives. If you want to risk your people's safety feel free to do so. But you'll be sending them to their deaths."
"There aren't enough fighters here to hold the combined force of the Empire and the Fire Nation. While I don't doubt the power of Earth bending not all of these men look like traditional fighters. They'll slaughter the vulnerable in seconds." Rex advised.
One of the resistance fighters piped up "I don't know, Yung, living to fight another day is starting to sound pretty good to me."
Another resistance fighter took a step forward and pointed toward himself as he addressed Yung with a decisive tone. "Yeah, I'm with them!"
Yung looked at all the people who had taken refuge under ground and now were living in the sewer tunnels while they whispered among themselves. He then looked back at Aang and the others. "Fine. But there's thousands of citizens that need to leave. How're we going to get them all out?"
"Transporting them in the Ghost one group at a time would rouse suspicion. But I'll have Chop ready it on stand by" Hera said as she moved to contact her droid.
Sokka's hand was on his chin as he thought up a plan. He then pointed at Yung as he exclaimed his idea. "Suckers!"
Katara raised one eyebrow and just stared at Sokka. The rest of the group followed her example as Momo chirped questionably.
Sokka blunk, shifting his eyes right and left, smiling broadly. "You're all about to come down with a nasty case of pentapox.
A few moments passed as people placed and removed pentapi from their face, shoulders and arms.
Sokka walked over to them to address them as now the inhabitants of Omashu were now covered with the suction spots of the pentapi. "The marks make ya look sick, but you gotta act sick too. Ya gotta sell it!"
An old man hobbled , leaning heavily on his cane as he clutched his back while moaning in pain. Sokka grabbed the guy who was standing next to him and pointed at the old man. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about."
The man turned around, smiling as he tapped his wooden leg with his cane. "Years of practice."
"Okay everyone! Into sick formation." Sokka said as he and the other civilians started walking toward the gates of Omashu.
"We'll cover you" Hera said as she and the others began to follow.
Just as Katara prepared to join them, she noticed that Aang walking off in the other direction. Ezra and Kanan noticed too as they hesitated to move.
"Aang, what are you doing? Aren't you coming with us?" Katara asked him.
"No. I'm not leaving until I find Bumi." Aang said as Momo jumped on Aang's shoulders, tugging Aang's lips. He then grabbed Momo by his neck and placed him back on the ground. "Sorry Momo, I'll feed you later." Aang then proceeded to use airbending to propel him unto the air, jumping from one rooftop to the other.
Kanan gave Ezra a look as Ezra tried to play innocent "What?"
"Go on." Kanan said "Just be careful."
Ezra smiled "You're finally beginning to trust me more than you have."
"I've trust for you to do what you feel is right and to help others. You don't need my approval to do that. Only you are stopping you from moving." Kanan said to his apprentice.
Ezra then followed Aang as Katara and Kanan left to join the others.
Fire Nation soldiers with spears who were guarding the gates of Omashu alongside some Storm Troopers. A moaning crowd of 'sick' people suddenly walked toward them from every direction. They moved like zombies, swaying back and forth, one of them even falling down. The guards backed away as the sick crowd reached them. Sokka theatrically grabbed his face and moaned painfully, before stretching out his hands toward the frightened guards.
"Plague! Plague!" A guard cried as he and his fellow guardsman on the ground started to retreat into the citadel behind them, away from the sick, as another guard rung the gong to alert everyone of the problem at hand.
A Storm trooper backed away before suddenly realising something "Wait we've got armour and blasters. Why are we running? Let's shoot them."
Suddenly Sabine shot the Storm Trooper as the rest of the troopers guarding the door were gunned down by the Ghost crew as Kanan cut some down with his lightsabre
The Governor's office, Omashu, Earth Kingdom
The governor of Omashu and his family, including Mai, who was eating a bowl of fire flakes, were watching on one of his balconies, looking out over the city. The governor needless to say wanted answers "What is going on down there?"
"I saw some kids yesterday who were sick with pentapox. It must have spread!" A guard exclaimed
"Pentapox!" Ukano exclaimed as he pulled his beard. "Hmm, I'm pretty sure I've heard of that."
"Oh, this is terrible." Michi said worried for the safety of her family.
"What should we do?" a guard asked
"Drive them out of the city" Ukano said as he pointed toward the gates. "But don't touch them! We have to rid the city of this disease!"
The guard bowed in respect before leaving to spread the governor's orders. Mai calmly offers her dad the bowl of fire flakes. "Fire flakes, Dad?"
Admiral Konstantine who had been re-assigned to this area gave his thoughts on the matter "If I may sir. It is possible however unlikely that driving them out will not be enough."
"What do you propose then?" Ukano asked
"If the worst comes of it. My fleet will bomb the outskirts of the city where the citizens reside. It can be the only way the city will be truly rid of the disease by eliminating the originator of the cause. Then we'll quarantine the city to make sure everyone is safe." Konstantine advised.
Ukano hung his head as he thought it over.
"How awful!" Michi exclaimed as she hugged her husband as the little baby beside her, Mai's brother Tom-Tom toddled away from the group.
The other side of the city
Aang and Ezra were running through the streets of the city as the latter asked the former a question "Do you remember who your birth parents were?"
"No." Aang answered "Monk Gyatso was the closest thing I had to a father. I never really thought about it before but when I hear about Katara and Sokka's dad and you talk about your parents. A mom and dad must be something special."
"I was pretty young when they were taken away but I never forgot the last time I saw them." Ezra reflected "Kanan and Hera are the closest thing I have now. And they're pretty great."
Aang smiled in agreement having seen the two's bond and love.
Spotting a nearby house they proceeded to climb it and balance on the railing, before landing on a flat rooftop before spotting a giant, white creature below, sadly pushing forth a turnstile. Aang and Ezra jumped down to discover that the creature was Flopsie, King Bumi's pet goat gorilla.
"Flopsie!" Aang cried
As Aang calls his name, Flopsie turned around and happily tried to reach his friend, his chains holding him back.
"I've got it." Ezra said as he used the Force to unlock the lock as he then cut off using his lightsabre breaking the chains off as Flopsie then removed the chains himself.
Now free the happy animal hugged and licked Aang's face as he then did the same to Ezra as the latter exclaimed "Hey come on cut it out."
Come on, Flopsie." Aang said as he and Ezra climbed on top of Flopsie. "You gotta help us find Bumi. Yip Yip!" Flopsie however didn't move a muscle. "Oh ... I guess that doesn't work with you. Let's go!" Flopsie then proceeded to race off at great speed.
The Fire Nation circus, Night,
Performers in two Chinese dragon's costumes were dancing as the circus master, Shuzumu, stood before the circus' main ring, addressing the crowd. "We're deeply honoured to have the Fire Lord's daughter at our humble circus accompanied by representatives of the Empire the newfound ally of the Fire Nation." Shuzmu seemed hesitant before asking "Uh ... tell us if there is anything we can do to make the show more enjoyable.
Azula was calmly sitting in a box booth with Kallus and two guards "I will."
Ty Lee was wearing colourful clothing while balancing on a rope high up in the air on one hand with net being spanned carefully under her.
Azula, Kallus and Shuzumu, were looking up, fascinated by Ty Lee's performance.
"Incredible." Azula exclaimed as she then asked "Do you think she'll fall?"
Shuzumu was confident in her abilities "Of course not."
Azula was ready to make her challenge "Then wouldn't it make it more interesting if you removed the net?"
Shuzumu became concerned "Uh ... the thing is ... the performers …"
"You're right, you're right. That's been done." Azula said as she paused before she had an idea "I know. Set the net on fire."
"Of course, Princess." Shuzumu said visibly worried as he left the box to set the net of fire.
As he suspected Kallus was now seeing Azula's careful tactics in play. Still the way she responded when they met indicated that the girl Ty Lee valued Azula's friendship. "I hope you know what you're doing. If your friend doesn't survive it'll be on you."
"Fear is a motivator Agent Kallus. She'll get the message quick enough." Azula said not fazed.
Ty Lee looked down in concern at the consuming flames beneath her but nonetheless continued with her act.
While Shuzumu was balling his fist and clenching his teeth, hoping that Ty Lee would not fall off Azula was ecstatic at the display "Brilliant, just brilliant!" She then looked down at Shuzumu and asked happily. "Ooh, what kind of dangerous animals do you have?"
Shuzumu looked up, hopeful that he could change the subject to the animals and save Ty Lee from her burning peril. "Well, our circus boasts the most exotic assortment-"
"Release them all!" Azula ordered
Shuzumu was utterly shocked by Azula's command, a concern Kallus shared. Ty Lee was still balancing on one hand above the flames. Several animal noises could be heard throughout the tent.
Kallus looked at Azula's determined dark expression and began to see the differences in Ozai and Iroh's styles of parenting. Despite pledging to do what was necessary to enforce order he had limits in doing so. He wondered how someone like Minister Tua would react to such a twisted young girl? Somehow the Grand Inquisitor despite his power felt beneath her in terms of intimidation.
A campsite in the surrounding mountains of Omashu
People were sitting around several campfires as Aang, Ezra and Flopsie walked into the camp. Katara, the Ghost crew and Sokka moved to greet them.
Aang was visibly saddened at the lack of findings "We looked everywhere. No Bumi."
Katara hugged him as Flopsie moaned sadly, so Sokka turned around to hug Flopsie's face.
"Were you spotted?" Kanan asked them.
"No." Ezra answered. "Feels weird nobody is patrolling the city.
"Normally that's a good thing but if they want to reinforce a curfew they should be around?" Sabine wondered and confused by the tactic.
The arrival of Yung interrupted them "We've got a problem. We just did a head count."
Katara worried, turned back to Yung. "Oh no. Did someone get left behind?"
"No, we have an extra." Yung said as he pointed to Momo staggering forward with the Tom-Tom clamped around his neck having picked him up earlier in the city. Team Avatar, the Ghost crew and Yung could only stare for a second at the poor animal and the baby.
"I'm not thinking care of that thing." Zeb protested.
"Me neither." Sabine agreed.
The governor's house in Omashu
Michi was sobbing on the balcony as Mai slowly reached into her robe and pulled out a handkerchief, giving it to her mother with a bored expression on her face. Ukano rested his hands on the railing of the balcony as he stared out over his city. His sobbing wife, apathetic daughter and two guards stood behind him alongside Admiral Konstantine and his men.
"So, the resistance has kidnapped my son. Everything so clever, so tricky. Just like their King Bumi." Ukano said as he balled his right hand into a fist.
One of the guards behind him stepped forward "What do you want to do, sir?"
Ukano looked at Konstantine who seemed determined with his goal to bomb them. Whether the citizens were truly sick or if this was part of their plan he couldn't risk his son's getting hurt in the crossfire of a battle. "Tell them I wish to make a trade."
Ty Lee's dressing room
A bouquet of black flowers that were placed on a desk as Azula stood behind Ty Lee, who was sitting at the desk and looking through a mirror. Kallus had elected to stay outside to keep extra society.
"What an exquisite performance. I can't wait to see how you'll top yourself tomorrow." Azula said congratulating her.
Ty Lee smiled at Azula's reflection in the mirror. "I'm sorry Azula, but unfortunately there won't be a show tomorrow."
Azula feigned surprise "Really?"
Ty Lee hung up her tiara as she got up and turned around to face Azula "The universe has given me strong hints that it's time for a career change. I want to join you on your mission."
Azula was satisfied with her answer. Everything worked out perfectly.
Ty Lee then started putting a dash of makeup "You think Kallus will like this colour?"
Azula rolled her eyes at her friend's infatuation as she left her dressing room.
The campsite in the valley
The gang, the baby, Flopsie, the Ghost crew and three resistance fighters were sitting at one of the many campfires. The baby was still trying to catch Momo as the lemur leapt out of the way as the baby then tumbled down, right next to Sokka's club as he then picked it up and started to suck on it.
Sokka quickly snatched the club out of the baby's hands. "No! Bad Fire Nation baby!"
The child started to cry as Katara looked from the baby to Sokka and whacked him across the face before placing her hands on her hips in a motherly fashion.
Sokka annoyed but to calm it's nerves gave the club up "Oh ... all right."
Katara hugged him from behind as she kissed him on the cheek which only annoyed Sokka more along with Zeb "Oooh, you're so cute."
Hera opened her arms "Katara. Do you mind?"
Katara handed the baby over to Hera as she held it in her arms. Kanan looked over her shoulder. Both looked at each other as they wondered if this is what it would feel like to have a child? They always discussed settling down when the war was over but neither ever affirmed if they wanted kids.
Whether it was the heat of the moment of holding the baby or she always knew because of growing up with her mother, Hera knew she wanted one when the war was over and judging by the look in Kanan's eyes he shared that same want.
Yung was sitting on the other side of the fire as his cynicism ruined the moment "Sure he's cute now, but when he's older, he'll join the Fire Nation army. You won't think he's so cute then. He'll be a killer."
"Does that look like the face of a killer to you?" Katara asked pointing at the baby though Yung continued to remain totally indifferent at the sight of the cute baby.
"Environments can help shape many people." Kanan acknowledged.
"Even if it's expected of him he doesn't need to live the warrior's life. My planet is home to warriors but scholars and painters. I'm in between. When there is peace maybe they'll change things. He'll be old enough to see the world change." Sabine said trying to give a sense of optimism. She had to believe it if it meant freeing her own people.
The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a messenger hawk as Yung noticed it.
Aang unrolled the scroll as he read the message "It's from the Fire Nation governor. He thinks we kidnapped his son. So ... he wants to make a trade. His son for King Bumi."
The mountains surrounding Omashu
Aang held the baby in his arms all the while staring at Omashu. He then walked down the hill he was standing on toward Katara, the Ghost crew and Sokka, who were waiting next to Appa and the Ghost.
"You realize we're probably walking right into a trap." Sokka warned him.
"That much seems obvious." Sabine said agreeing with him.
Aang however didn't agree "I don't think so. I'm sure the governor wants his son back as much as we want Bumi. It's a new day. I have a good feeling about this."
"We'll watch your back kid." Zeb said ready for another fight.
The city of Omashu
A royal palanquin was being carried up the stairs toward the house of the governor. At the base of next stairs, the lonely figure of Mai awaited the arrival of the palanquin. Azula suddenly proceeded to get out as she and Ty Lee walked over to Mai as Kallus and his troops disembarked. They halted before her as Mai put her hands together and bowed slightly toward Azula. "Please tell me you're here to kill me." She then looked up at Azula as a slight smile appeared on her otherwise emotionless features.
Both girls started to laugh as Azula placed her hands on Mai's shoulders. "It's great to see you, Mai."
Ty Lee rushed forward to give Mai a big hug as Mai uncomfortably patted her back a little with her left hand as the latter acknowledged the former with surprise "I thought you ran off and joined the circus. You said it was your calling."
Ty Lee released Ma "Well, Azula called a little louder." She then looked over at Kallus with a bit of a daze "The guards have gotten cuter though."
Mai like Azula rolled her eyes, seeing friend having another crush as she looked over at the rugged Imperial and acknowledged him with a simple "Hey."
"Ma'am." Kallus bowed in response.
"I have a mission and I need you both." Azula said as she placed a hand on both her friends' shoulders.
"Count me in. Anything to get me out of this place." Mai said as she looked annoyed at the palace.
Inside the palace of Omashu
Large red flags with the black Fire Nation mark and Imperial mark on them displayed over the centre proud for anyone to see. Azula was sitting on the throne of Omashu, flanked by two Fire Nation guards and Kallus and a few Storm Troopers.
Ukano and Michi were in front of her, as well as Mai and Ty Lee. Having exchanged words with Kallus, Konstantine elected to return to his ship to cover the skies in case of spotting any intruders.
"I apologize. You've come to Omashu at a difficult time. At noon we're making a trade with the resistance to get Tom-Tom back." Ukano said regretfully.
Yes, I'm so sorry to hear about your son, but really" Azula acknowledged as she crossed her legs and clasped her hands. "What did you expect by just letting all the citizens leave?" She then stood up, addressing him in a harsher tone as she emphasised her words with a hand gesture "My father has trusted you with this city and you're making a mess of things!"
Ukano and his Michi prostrated themselves before her as the former apologised "Forgive me, Princess."
Azula walked between the bowing people in front of her, looking down upon Ukano as Mai and Ty Lee got up behind her "You stay here. Mai will handle the hostage trade so you don't have a chance to mess it up. And if all else fails Agent Kallus and his men will help make sure nobody gets out alive."
Kallus's face remained neutral "Understood Princess."
The smoking city of Omashu was surrounded by Fire Nation construction sites where Imperials also occupied the area as Azula then got an idea "And there is no more "Omashu". I'm renaming it in honour of my father, the city of New Ozai."
Outside the palace of Omashu
Aang, Katara and Sokka were standing on a large wooden scaffold. They looked serious as a party of the three girls approached, with Mai leading the way and flanked by Kallus and his troops.
The Ghost crew were positioned below minus Hera who was in the Ghost in case of narrow escape as she came on the comm. "Everyone in position?" As everyone acknowledged her she then disconnected "Good. If we're lucky this may not go south."
A crane lowered a metal cage containing King Bumi. Only his head was left uncovered which ironically would be something they probably wished they could cover at least so he wouldn't annoy them. Despite his predicament he hadn't lost his optimism "Hi, everybody!"
Aang smiled as he sees his friend. The cage touched the ground behind Azula and the rest as Mai got down to business "You brought my brother?"
"He's here. We're ready to trade." Aang acknowledged.
Azula looked at Mai "I'm sorry, but a thought just occurred to me." She then asked her "Do you mind?"
Bumi followed the conversation, shifting his eyes from one speaker to the other.
Mai turned to Azula. "Of course not, Princess Azula."
The Ghost crew had been listening in on their comms. While they didn't say anything this revelation surprised them that Zuko had a sister let alone she was here.
"We're trading a two year old for a king." Azula acknowledged as she looked up at Bumi. "A powerful, earthbending king?"
King Bumi nodded sensing the situation was about to go south as Hera predicted but then again when did it not?
"It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it?" Azula asked as Mai pondered over the idea, looking at her brother who yawned and happily rested his head against Sokka's shoulder.
"You're right." Mai agreed as Azula smiled slyly while Mai walked forward. "The deal's off." Mai held up her hand, gesturing the guards to pull Bumi back up.
As the chains reeled in from above, the King was suspended in the air once again, clearly amused by all this "Whhhoa! See you all later!"
Aang watched him go up and couldn't stop himself "Bumi!"
He then proceeded to sprint forward with his glider at the ready, increasing his speed with airbending. Azula quickly tried to stop him by blocking his path with a mighty stream of blue flames as Aang dodged them by leaping high up into the air. Azula was completely shocked by this incredible jump as Aang briefly touched the scaffolding around the statue and pushed himself off, opening his glider in mid air. While opening his glider, he proceeded to lose hat he was wearing, leaving his arrow tattoo exposed.
Azula was surprised "The Avatar!" Now she had an opportunity to show up Zuko and she wasn't going to waste it "My lucky day"
Aang circled up toward Bumi's coffin as Azula ran over to a pulley and proceeded to blast through the rope that served as a break. The winch began to spin rapidly as Azula grabbed hold to the rope and was pulled up rapidly toward the top of the construction scaffolding.
Kanan and Ezra looked up as the former called the latter "Come on."
Master and apprentice quickly followed the two.
Aang landed on the top of Bumi's metal cage. The King was surprised to see him "Aang, is that you? Where did you come from?"
"Hang on! We're gonna get you out of here." Aang said as he took a deep breath and started to blow a cold wind on the chain that was lifting Bumi up as the chain slowly started to freeze.
Kanan and Ezra jumped up to greet Azula as the latter gave her a smug smile "We haven't met yet. I'm Ezra. This is Kanan."
"I don't care." Azula said with a dark glint in her eye as she fired blue flames at them before they dispersed it with the force and used their sabres to protect. Azula suddenly realised whom she was dealing with. Remembering Vader's warning and how Zuko failed she was determined not to let them slip by "You've just made my day even better Jedi. Surrender now and I can grant you both a fast death."
"Not our style your majesty" Kanan taunted as he moved to attack as Azula dodged his move.
On the ground, Mai and Ty Lee charged Sokka and Katara while the Ghost crew engaged Kallus and his troops.
Katara took on a defensive position "We've got to get the baby out of here!"
Sokka blowed on the bison whistle before looking at his sister with a big smile. "Way ahead of ya!"
Tom-Tom reached for the whistle and started to play with it as Sokka and Katara ran to the edge of the big platform. The remaining Ghost crew fought of the troops and followed them. Before they could reach it, Ty Lee's fist suddenly emerged from one of the holes in the floor and proceeded to punch Sokka's foot, causing him to fall over and slide toward the edge. He protectively clutched the baby in his arms, preparing for the worst as they stopped just in time.
Katara, noticed Ty Lee jumping out of the hole in the floor and setting course for Sokka as she bendt water from her pouch to attack her, but noticed something behind her.
Mai, proceeded to throw four knives at Katara as Katara reacted by quickly by using her water whip to raise up several wooden planks, preventing the knives from piercing her face as the knives embeded themselves in the wood. Katara was about to use her water whip again to shoot the wooden boards to Mai before Sabine jumped in and began to fight Mai hand to hand before disarming her allowing Katara to turn around in one fluent motion toward Ty Lee who had almost reached Sokka and the baby. The water whip then grabbed Ty Lee by the ankle, pulling her to the ground, giving Sokka the time needed to get up and head for a nearby ladder as he slid down and started his descend of the scaffolding.
Bumi and Aang, were still being raised in the air as Aang was still trying to freeze the chain with his breath before Bumi stopped him "Aang, stop your blowing for a minute."
He finally had succeeded in freezing the chain, when an explosion occurred on top of the scaffolding. Azula was propelled in the air, shooting a plume of blue fire toward Aang with a powerful kick while Kanan and Ezra jumped away to follow her. Aang startled by her sudden appearance and swift attack quickly deflected the flame with a strong air current of his own.
Bumi tried to caution him "Now hold on just a" The swing of Aang's staff broke the frozen chain as they freefell down.
Aang turned over Bumi's coffin, so he would crash to the ground head first. As they were about to crash upon one of Omashu's chutes, Aang quickly created an air ball under them to break there fall as they rapidly slid down the chute they landed in.
Azula who was following the spectacle from atop the scaffolding forgot about the Jedi as Kanan force pushed her to a nearby chute. This gave her an advantage though as she pursued the Avatar and the King down the chute in a box of her own.
"Maybe you should have pushed her into something else" Ezra said as both jumped onto a chute each and followed her.
Aang was laughing as he stood on Bumi's coffin. "It's just like old times, isn't it, Bumi?"
Bumi looked serious. "Aang, I need to talk to you!"
"It's good to see you too!" Aang acknowledged failing to see his point.
Aang's oblivious gave away as he notices Azula shooting several fire missiles toward them which he deflected using his staff.
Both chutes came together with Azula now behind them as Kanan and Ezra caught up and began to duel her. They then entered a portion of the chute that had wooden arches over it at short intervals as Aang cut through with an air blade, making them collapse upon the track as he then acknowledged the two Jedi. "Guys heads up!"
The two Jedi escaped though Azula ws caught in the dust cloud, knocked up by the falling debris. When her box emerged again, it seemed to be empty. Aang sighed in relief, but his sigh quickly turned into a scream as Azula emerged again from the box, sending another beam of fire toward him.
Aang dropped flat on his belly to avoid it as Kanan and Ezra moved to protect him. On the large wooden platform Mai and Sabine were still fighting as Katara joined her. Mai dodged Katara's water whips and answered her attacks by shooting stiletto's out of the launcher attached to her leg while Sabine fired a rope to tie her that she cut through with ease.
Katara easily defended herself by freezing the water to create an ice wall as Mai used the time to charge Katara head on. The waterbender defended herself by capturing Mai's right arm in a stream of water and freezing it as Mai tried to break the ice, failing to do so as Sabine gave her a punch to the face. Ty Lee climbed on the platform behind Katara as she bounced toward Katara and hit her with several quick jabs on her arms. Katara was surprised by this attack as she lost control over her water stream that splashed on the ground. She then tried to raise the water again, but it only moved a little.
Mai used this to jump and kick Sabine back onto her back as she then taunted Katara "How are you gonna fight without your bending?"
Mai pulled out a sai from her robe as took aim at a shocked Katara. Just as she was about to throw the weapon, Sokka's boomerang knocked it out of her hand. Ty Lee and Mai spun around to see Sokka flying in on Appa as Sokka caught the boomerang "I seem to manage!"
Kallus and what remained of his men had been pinned down by Rex and Zeb before they were finished off by Hera arriving in the Ghost though Kallus again escaped.
Sokka and Appa landed between Katara and her attackers as did the Ghost as Hera fired on the scaffolding causing Mai and Ty Lee to fly off.
After climbing aboard and escaping, Sokka and Katara were flying down the chutes of Omashu atop Appa's head as Katara looked and pointed to her left. "There's Aang!"
Sokka gazed in the direction Katara pointed. "We can catch him!"
"No I can move faster. Make sure the baby is safe." Hera said as he moved to intercept.
Azula who was still on the offensive, directing multiple beams of fire at Aang, Kanan and Ezra. Suddenly the Ghost pulled up next to them
"Hang on, Bumi! Our ride's here!" Aang warned as Hera swerved to avoid another blue fire blast. As he pulled closer again, Aang lifted up the coffin by hitting the side of the chute as Hera flew in close and the coffin swirled up the open door into the ship as it narrowly avoided Chopper who was there to greet as he ran away irritated as the coffin then slid out and fell as the door was prevented from closing. Kanan and Ezra who had been flung in attempted to hold it back before Azula fired at the open ram causing them to lose their focus and drop the coffin as Hera swerved again to avoid.
Azula created a whirling disk of flames and proceeded to send it down the chute as it rapidly gained on Aang and Bumi as they fell and landed. Bumi peeked at the upcoming fire disk as he clenched his teeth in effort. A pillar of earth rose in the middle of the chute, protecting them from the disk as Azula gasped for air as she noticed that her path was blocked. She then jumped up in the nick of time and slides down the chute on foot, as her box slams to pieces against the rock. She eventually halted in the middle of the chute, looking displeased at Aang and Bumi who continued their descent.
Aang and Bumi was nearing the end of the chute as the former couldn't contain his surprise "You could earthbend? All along?"
"Well, they didn't cover my face." Bumi said as he strained himself again in effort and raised another earth pillar to stop their descent down the chute. The coffin hit iit and ended up standing straight atop the rock, as Aang landed in front of it, looking up at his friend.
Aang was slightly annoyed and angry. "I don't understand. Why didn't you free yourself? Why did you surrender when Omashu was invaded? What's the matter with you, Bumi?"
Bumi remained calm however "Listen to me, Aang. There are options in fighting, called jing. It's a choice of how you direct your energy."
Aang was annoyed as he counted along on his fingers as he summed up the different jings. "I know! There's positive jing when you're attacking, and negative jing when you're retreating."
King Bumi happily smiled ... "And neutral jing when you do nothing!"
Aang looked shocked at his three raised fingers. "There are three jings?"
"Well, technically there are eighty-five, but let's just focus on the third." Bumi acknowledged as he explained "Neutral jing is the key to earthbending. It involves listening and waiting for the right moment to strike."
Aang now understood "That's why you surrendered, isn't it?"
"Yes, and it's why I can't leave now." Bumi acknowledged
Aang sadly turns around "I guess I need to find someone else to teach me earthbending."
"Your teacher will be someone who has mastered neutral jing. You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking." Bumi advised him.
Momo landed on Aang's shoulders as he happily acknowledged him "Hey, Momo!"
"Momo's mastered a few jings himself!" Bumi acknowledged as Momo screeched loudly at Bumi. "Goodbye, Aang. I'll see you when the time is right."
Bumi then proceeded to let his coffin tumble backward and begin his ascend of the chute, laughing and snorts like a mad man as he used his earthbending to drive him back to the top of the chute, leaving Aang and Momo behind as both jumped aboard the Ghost
Outside the city
The royal palanquin were being carried out the city, flanked by Mai and Ty Lee with Kallus following behind with new troops acquired from Konstantine's fleet as Mai tried to understand "So, we're tracking down your brother and Uncle, huh?"
Ty Lee turned to Mai as she teased her "It'll be interesting seeing Zuko again, won't it, Mai?"
Mai looked away as a smile plays upon her face.
"It's not just Zuko and Iroh anymore." Azula said as she acknowledged the seriousness of the situation "We have more than two targets now."
Kallus portrayed no emotion on his face as he followed them.
The Governor's house
Ukano held his wife as they looked over the city with a sad expression on their face. Aang silently landed behind them and dropped off Tom-Tom. Aang took off again as the child toddled toward his parents. As they heard the cooing of the child, they turned around, gasping with surprise and excitement, taking the baby up into their arms under the watchful eye of Aang who was sitting on the roof. He smiled at the happy scene of the reunited family before he took off joining Hera and the crew in the Ghost as it flew in the air into the night sky.
The Grand Secretariat's office, Ba Sing Se
In the great Earth Kingdom Ba Sing Se news had spread to the higher ups of the war at hand. The only problem was the government was being controlled by a corrupt puppet and his legion who deliberately kept the king ignorant of the true nature of the war. To consolidate power the Grand Secretariat who was the equivalent to a prime minster in other governments willingly allied himself with other parties.
He had been contacted by his master to inform him of an ongoing project "The excavation is coming well my lord. If what you say is true than the ultimate power will be discovered beneath the tunnels. It's hard to believe it remained under us all these years."
The hologram seemed to regard this with mild amusement. The prime minister was bowing at level with the individual's mechanical legs in his peripheral view as his master spoke "Of course you didn't but how could you? You keep the leader ignorant and yet how ignorant were you of how alone you truly were in this universe before we united?"
The prime minister seemed to agree "Yes but now the Earth Kingdom will stand as the mightiest nation with the Dai Li controlling it. The Fire Nation and this Empire stand no chance against us."
The master sounded tense as he reminded him of the city's strategic importance "From what you say Omashu has fallen to them leaving your city as the only defence. I lost a planet once which even now is being controlled by the Empire. I don't intend to lose one again."
The prime minister seemed fearful. Quickly he tried to save himself "My spies in Omashu discovered travellers. It seemed they were seeking out King Bumi for council. They looked to be rebel fighters intent on securing aid for others to help fight the war. Knowing of Ba Sing Se's importance they'll no doubt try to recruit the king."
The master seemed to agree "I am sending representatives to join you. See to it when they do arrive that they never leave."
"As you wish my master." The prime minister bowed before the hologram switched off.
Author's Note: So yeah that's that chapter done. This one seemed simple on paper but again trying to navigate characters and dynamics is the tough but again I hope I'm doing well with characters as juggling them and making all their stories work is one of the big challenges and also believing in my skills and story and whether it's good. But that's me I'm my own worst critic.
Going back to this episode it allowed me to explore Azula's mindset from Kallus's perspective in how she truly seemed to value her friendship with Mai and Ty Lee but also she wouldn't be afraid to manipulate them mostly Ty Lee in this one. Their inevitable betrayal will of course be a part of breaking her and it's this twisted attempt at companionship that she shares with another villain but that comes later.
Although I think it's obvious who it is especially setting up their role at the end of this chapter which was motivated by the recent Clone Wars episodes despite being one of my earlier plans I wanted to include a few early scenes to set up the Season 2/Book 2 Rebels/Avatar finale. We also have another villain, Abeloth to deal with which we will throughout this season of episodes.
There were a few character bonding moments though like Aang never knowing his parents and Ezra relating what he remembered about his. Aang shares much in common with Anakin and Luke except they had relatives to look after them. Even if Gyatso was a father figure it's a wonder if Aang considered what his true parents were like? Mind you it's been awhile so I don't know if that was addressed in the show or comics and I haven't read the latter. Also Kanan and Hera considering their future which we know where that'll lead.
Also I had forgotten the part about this episode that involved a fake disease pandemic. It was just a coincidence I wrote this at the same time as the current pandemic as I am writing this. Regardless stay safe out there.
Anyway I think that's it for now but knowing me I've forgotten some stuff. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and again any feedback you leave is appreciated. This is your friend Steve993 and I'll see you next time.