Ba Sing Se The Drill. Azula's new sidekicks. The Gaang.

.

The drill is huge. It's as tall as a six-storied building. A metal monstrosity headed straight for the wall. from up there, it must be less intimidating. But up close… you can feel the ground shake.

I doubt the City Guard will be able to turn it aside properly. That's a little concerning. But we knew we'd be facing bad odds when we came out here. Better here than fighting near civilians. Refugees who have seen their fair share of war already. Technically, I am a civilian. But no bender really is just that.

"This is on us," I tell Gorou, who nods. His face is doing the bloodthirsty thing that scares me a little every time I see it. Then again, all my friendly neighbourhood yakuza are wearing a variation of it. maybe this is the kind of thing you need to be good at in order to become a member. Face the Fire Nation with a plan, explosives and enough weapons to kill an army with. Incidentally, that's probably what we're going up against. They've come to invade Ba Sing Se, after all. That's not the sort of thing one does with only a hundred soldiers.

It's a good thing the Pah joined us. It's an even better thing that we have explosives. This should not be a reassuring thought: organised crime with explosives.

We follow the plan: locate the entrances, which are indeed on the underside of the drill. It does have metal claws that dig deep into the ground to propel the drill onwards. That is where we can get inside, through the operating hatches. They're not even locked up. Which is odd because the drill is meant to withstand earthbenders. Who can easily do what we are.

We split up the fighters and explosive experts evenly, with a crossbow-user each. Up close and from below, feeling the earth tremble beneath its force, the drill is gigantic. It is easy enough to figure out that if we take out enough support beams near enough to one another, the drill will crack open with a precise attack from the outside. The drill is made of two tubes, really. One outer shell that is supported by thick metal beams from the inside, arranged like the spokes of a wheel with a thick hub that is where all the walkways are and the engine operates.

I really have to destroy the engine. That's close to the only chance we've got. When I say as much, everyone nods.

"We're not waiting with setting the explosives," Yranna decides, barely audible over the noise of the earth grinding. "We can see how its built from here and its so big it would take too long to communicate."

Take out enough spokes and the wheel crumples. Same principle.

No one contests her. We need to get a move on.

"We're not locating the command centre, either," Dionu says. "We can't chance discovery like that before Kaito destroys the engine. And once he does, there's little point in taking out commanders."

The drill is not empty. It's an exercise in stealth as we find our way to the engine room. It is, thankfully in the middle, as we suspected. We place our cloth balls along the way, but we decide not to take any soldiers down until we have the structural plans of the drill and I have sabotaged the engine. We're just not taking chances.

But that is easily done. The drill's walkways are eerily quiet. Probably the soldiers are waiting where they will be deployed from the side hatches that we saw coming in. And those we do evade, we easily sidestep by getting on the support beams.

It's really only a matter of damaging the vital parts of the steam engine. Not even an engineer is in sight. All I do is slice apart the fiddly bits and open all the hatches to let the steam out. Then I bend it to cling to my stone armour and also my boots. Gorou had the right idea.

We're on our way to the front to meet Yranna, Thera and two of the explosion experts when in the back of the drill, an explosion goes off. It sends harsh groans through the metal. It's too early. They must have gotten interrupted, setting the kits.

Our footsteps, though soft, are too loud on the metal floor. We pause on our way to block more of the communication pipes. I'm out of cloth balls. Soon, Gorou and Dionu are as well.

And then, where I estimate is a third down the front of the drill, footsteps alert us to enemy soldiers coming our way from behind.

We duck outside into the support beam area at the next doorway, like we did to evade enemy soldiers on our way in. We can surprise them from behind. On the next beam to the front, I see a still body in Fire Nation uniform. At least it's not one of our people.

The drill groans, and the beam beneath our feet shakes with the force of the impact on the side we're standing on. We stumble a little, just as the enemy is going past. It's a matter of split-seconds where Gorou sends his tattoo-disks flying for a beheading and blue fire is shot our way. That means most likely Azula. I did not miss her.

I yank Dionu and Gorou behind me, cutting the flames aside with water from the air. Then, before we can be attacked again, I get a grip for the fluids inside the mouths of our two opponents and yank.

"Ow! Fuck!" a man swears.

Azula only grunts in pain. Then she ducks, evading Gorou's attack again. But he's found his feet and keeps her on the move. She's good enough to send attacks even while dodging, but those are easy to block for Dionu who brought armour like Gorou made for me, only covering his whole body. This leaves me free to try to regain my grip on the man's spit, but before I can, he shows that he's a firebender, too.

Which is unfortunate for us, but nothing we can't handle. His flames are a nice, normal organe.

It's just too much actual moving around on his part that keeps me from his body fluids. I need to practise more. But who'd volunteer for that? Which sounded just as wrong as it probably is.

But I gather moisture from the air, there is enough of it, and I brought a waterskin for emergencies. Then I begin to slice at him in places where the armour is weak. Which is the neck. The armpits. He wears a helmet, which is sensible.

But it doesn't save him from letting blood.

He retreats back into the inner tube, a hand on his neck, staving off the bleeding.

Azula sends a particularly strong blast at us. I coat the beam with ice, and trap her feet for the few moments necessary for Gorou to send his other disk at her. She bends out of the way just in time to save her head, but that allows me to trap her, folding ice around her limbs even as she melts it. Now it is a battle of how quickly I can cool the water and she can melt it. She looks about to roar flames at us.

Thankfully, Dionu forms a rock-ball and uses it to knock her out.

Gorou makes to kill her, but the other firebender sends a large blast at us with a yell.

We duck, just in time, but he's already dragged Azula inside the tube with him. Seems like he managed to close the wound, probably with a little fire. That must have hurt. He didn't make a sound while he did it. I sniff the air. Yeah. That's definitely burnt flesh.

When we rush in, the corridor is empty.

Great.

"Let's move on," Dionu says, wary.

And we do. Gorou guards the back.

None of us notice the archer before she's loosed the arrow that punches through Gorou's shoulder. He goes to one knee, Dionu and I whirl.

She retreats before my water reaches her or Dionu's own disk.

"Guard us," I say and crouch next to Gorou. Dionu covers, and knocks several more arrows aside.

I bend water around the wound and freeze it, keeping a grip and breaking off the arrow. It's gone right through. I seal off the wound. It didn't nick major blood vessels. We don't have time for more treatment.

Three explosions go off in front of us. Then Yranna, Thera and the explosion experts crash into the corridor. We dash towards them. "We need to get out of here!" Dionu shouts.

Yranna leads the way.

It's really good to have competent allies. None of them are injured badly, aside from a burn on Thera's calf. But she doesn't limp, so it must be alright.

It is, aside from knocking a few arrows out of the air, and Thera returning fire as quickly as she is able while running, a smooth exit.

Dionu digs us down and out. "Can you fight?" he asks Gorou.

"Yes," he bares his teeth. Looks eager.

We emerge. The Fire Nation tanks are getting destroyed, one by one. The Pah are doing good work, joined by Dionu's benders. Yranna heads towards Latih. "I'm going to tell them where to focus the attack!"

And we go and join the fray. Outside of the metal, Gorou and Dionu are much more versatile with their bending. I never want to face benders in their natural territories. They're just too scary. And some people are just scary all the time, I think as I watch Yranna behead a man in passing.

I am free to freeze the few still-moving tanks, slicing apart the joints like butter once they're cold enough. The Fire Nation builds them to withstand heat from the benders inside. Not ice attacks from waterbenders.

The drill, finally out of steam, rumbles to a stop.

Yranna and Latih coordinate the attack on the drill's weak point. The first huge bolt of earth makes a dent. They prepare for a second when a side hatch opens. It's Azula again. Thera is ready, and fires.

Azula dodges the crossbow bolt just so, but she zeroes in on our group. With two huge fire attacks, she propels herself at us.

I let Dionu and Gorou handle her for the most part. We're surrounded by their element, after all.

The last tank goes down. I freeze the hatch shut. It's good to have someone to interrogate. The City Guard will pick them up.

The second earth bolt pierces the drill's hull with a mighty crash. They pin the drill, the bolt exits the hull on the other side.

A cheer goes through the yakuza and the City Guard, who look relatively battered. They would've been dead if not for our interference.

Azula shouts, frustrated, "Retreat!"

But she herself sends a bolt of lightening straight at us. I know the bending pattern by now, so I manage to intercept, using the ice on my armour as a shield just in front of Gorou. The lightning cracks it down the middle. It's a good thing I remembered to connect the shield to the ground.

The hind part of the drill opens. It reveals a train-like thing. The Fire Nation soldiers who still can, rescue themselves into it as quickly as they can. But the yakuza take no prisoners. A lot of the soldiers die during their retreat.

Gorou was right. It is a bloodbath.

And I didn't even really do that much.

.

The yakuza groups and I are quick to return to the hill we used as sleeping stead before the City Guard can attempt to take us in. The part of the team that went to the back of the drill don't return. "Do you want us to return to look for them?" I ask Dionu quietly.

His face is drawn and tired. "Latih already promised to look for us. The City Guard is doing a sweep and she wanted a quick look at what the Fire Nation brought to invade Ba Sing Se with."

And true to his words, Latih and five of her people exit the hill, none more than superficially injured.

We retreat. Somewhere beneath the great wall, I remove the arrow shaft from Gorou's shoulder. Then I patch him up. A full recovery will take a while.

We move on and make another stop for the other injured, but the worst are some light burn wounds. Thera's the worst. "It'll scar, but probably not hamper your movement."

"Thanks," she grins down at me where I'm crouched. I look up to judge her tone.

A slow grin spreads across my face. "You're very welcome."

.

I have just finished speaking with Professor Singh about those student teachers. He said he'd ask around, but his tone didn't indicate anything hopeful. That was, until I mentioned that those students who did come to teach would get to study the plans of the drill that had found their way into my hands. He was very eager then. And hurried off to press some students into mostly unpaid labour.

"Hey!" Smellerbee calls as the trio approach. "There you are!"

"Here I am," I say, smiling a bit. She's kind of endearing, in an excited sort of way.

"I have a few questions for you," Jet says, and it's a very aggressive way that he says that in. He seems like the sort of person who has only two settings: angry or plotting. Anything beyond that would mean admitting that he's hurt inside and needs a little love.

"Well, that is what I'm here for," I say and lead them to some of the newly vacated cushions of the lecture room. "What did you want to know?"

"How can you trust them even though they're Fire Nation?" Jet accuses.

He's not subtle. A few heads are turned our way and people are beginning to openly listen to an interesting conversation. Gossips.

"I can trust them because they are helping here. I can trust them because they were forced to flee from the Fire Nation as well. I can trust them, because they are wanted and I have seen the posters. I can trust them because if I can't trust them, then I can't trust that there are people in the Fire Nation who do not agree with the war. I can trust them because they are no more dangerous than myself," I list and I can see it doesn't satisfy him. "You know… we'll never get anywhere without a little leap of faith. Without a little trust. I'm not trusting them with my life. Just that they teach what they know in a way that people can understand and analyse."

He harrumphs. And that makes me laugh. "We're not expecting them to be perfect or to not miss their home. It was home. I'm expecting the people they teach to see that no situation is simple, or entirely good or evil. Everything, when you look closer, is more complicated. All I'd ask of you, Jet, is that you listen without the picture you've made of them in their head. Parts of them may match it. parts of them do not. Pay attention. It'll be worth it."

He looks about to leave, but Smellerbee asks "Are you going to talk about the Fire Nation's invasion of the Northern Watertibe now?"

"Yes. We will also have a round of questions afterwards."

And so I hold the lecture on the invasion. Why the Moon turned red.

Once I have answered some of the more obvious questions, people begin to lag slightly. Attention is waning. Which is good because I am exhausted.

"Why did you lay all those traps in the bay, if you had that wall?" one middle-aged man asks, perhaps a Ba Sing Se native who hasn't heard of the drill yet.

I set out to explain in a clear, professional tone. "What we were aiming at was to make sure those ships never got to the city wall itself. The Fire Navy has so-called ice breakers, which can do exactly what they're named for. They also, as I mentioned, had catapults. They look like this," I tap one of the large drawings behind me that we made for the course on the Fire Nation's methods of warfare. "They caused extensive structural damage. We also did not want a siege. You cannot survive in the North on just what you find in the surrounding lands because it is ice. So the Fire Navy had to be defeated and the battleground was going to be of our choosing. If that meant sinking those ships, then we would. If it meant encasing them in ice, then we would. Just like the City Guard here will bury enemy soldiers alive, if it means they are incapacitated and cannot escape."

"What are the lands surrounding the City like?" a young woman asks. Off topic, but interesting.

"You can imagine them as deserts of ice. Scarcely anything grows there. The lands are dangerous. If you're not careful and don't know what it looks like, you might break through the ice beneath your feet and drown in a lake. It takes only seconds for your muscles to freeze. If you don't have a bender who can rescue you, you're very likely to die," I explain. "So, since we didn't want the civilian population to have to flee or fight in the City, we made sure the Fire Navy remained in the bay."

"Except for that ship with the Admiral," a man says with crossed arms.

"Yes. Except for that."

"Well, how does this Spirit thing work?" he asks. "You said the Princess gave her life to save the Spirit of the Moon. But how does that work?"

Yes. How does it work. No idea. No particular desire to find out. Yue's gone and there is no way to get her back. "Ah. I am not someone who has directly communicated with that particular Spirit. As I understand it, which is in itself a strange legend, Princess Yue was stillborn. Her parents prayed to the Spirits to save her. They would not typically engage in this way in the world like they did then. But they saved her life. Yue returned what was given to her when she sacrificed herself for Tui, the Moon Spirit."

It is silent for some time, and I almost think no one has any more questions. But then Momo asks lowly, "Did you know the Princess?"

I must not have sounded very professional there. "We were friends."

And that is that.

"If that is all, then I invite you to discuss what you heard amongst yourselves. I will be available for more questions next week."

.

AANG

There's a knock on the door. Aang sure hopes it's not Ju Di again, they didn't put up more Wanted Posters of Appa, so he doesn't get why they should have to talk to her again. It's not that Aang didn't consider it, but he doesn't know what would happen if they did. He wants to. Because he doesn't know how to best look for Appa in a city this big without help.

He misses Appa. He's the last piece of home Aang has, aside from his glider and that's just not the same.

Sokka goes to open the door because it's his turn.

"Hello, Sokka," Aang knows that voice. He's missed that voice.

"You- Kaito!" Aang can hear the gape in Sokka's voice and jumps up to greet their friend.

If Kaito's here-

Aang bursts into the entrance hall to see Kaito and Sokka hugging. He's prepared to attach himself to both of them when they let go of each other. Kaito catches Aang, spins him. It makes him laugh because it feels funny when he's not bending, to fly like this.

He's set down too soon, but Aang can see Kaito smile at him this way, eyes warm and crinkling in the corners. "Hello, Aang."

They step inside and move to the living room where there is only Momo because Katara and Toph are having a girls' day or whatever.

"How come you're here already?" Sokka asks, "I was sure that it takes more than a bit over two months to get here from Omashu."

Aang remembers him saying something like that. Vaguely. Maybe. He wasn't listening much, he realises guiltily. He was just so worried about Appa…

"It does, but I took a boat, so that cut the journey more than in half. There was a storm and it pushed us straight into Chamaeleon Bay. Here," Kaito answers, and produces a sealed scroll. Aang has seen one just like it before. Shame washes over him again. "This is for you and Katara from your father. He's doing well. He got along with Pakku, did you know? Which is probably good if Pakku is asking your grandmother for her hand in marriage again."

Sokka says "Thanks," and his voice is full of emotion. It's homesickness, Aang realises now. Because he sounds the same way, all choked up, when it comes to Appa these days.

Kaito also takes out a folded piece of paper. "I also found this," he unfolds it. it's one of the flyers. "That's how I got your address. You really need to be more careful next time with letting people know where you are. But anyway, the Ju Di division was trying to get rid of them all. We managed to save some and we're keeping them circulating, so don't worry, it wasn't for nothing. We're going to find Appa."

Relief washes through Aang. That's good. That's something. Kaito always manages something.

"The Ju Di division?" Sokka asks after sending Aang a smile.

"They're part of the Dai Li. That's the not-so-secret police here. They control the information flow and they arrest people who make too much trouble, like mentioning the war, the Fire Nation or the Avatar. Then the arrested people come back, and it's like they're different people who don't remember a thing about any of that," Aang feels a shiver go down his spine.

"Yeah. It's messed up. But a few allies and I are working on spreading more information and getting people access to better education. A lot of the people in the lower ring can't read. We've set up four schools so far, one of them for adults. It's hard to keep the Dai Li away, but we've managed. And we're also working on a plan to make sure the Dai Li can't brainwash people any more… Did you know that there was a new Fire Nation attack on the wall just a few days ago?"

Aang pauses to take in all the new information. Schools? That's great!

"Yeah, we were watching the whole thing from on top of the wall," Sokka confesses. "Wait a minute, you were there, weren't you?"

Kaito chuckles. "Ah, you got me."

"It looked. Really bloody down there," Aang says. He can't help himself. It's. He doesn't like it. Was that what the temples looked like? All that red. Visible from even so high up.

"It was," Kaito says, frowning. "Better out there than in here. I don't even want to imagine the death count if they had gotten through the wall."

"Yeah…" Sokka says.

They're all silent for a few more moments. That's war. Is that what Omashu looked like? After Aang left with Sokka, Katara, Appa and Momo?

Then Sokka asks: "So the Dai Li is brainwashing people. How do we stop them? Do you think they know where Appa is?"

"Well. We know where their base is, more or less. But we need a few more earthbenders to help us go up against the Dai Li. If we're going to fight them underground, then I want allies with me who can use the place to their advantage just as well. I don't know how the brainwashing works exactly. But… I figure just taking down the leaders has to be enough until the entire organisation can be dismantled. The Earthking isn't going to be much help. My contacts at the University said he's more of a… puppet king than anything. And if there is an organisation that knows where Appa is in this city, it's the Dai Li."

"Sounds like we've got some recruiting to do," Sokka says. "Since one does not simply pop in to see the Earthking."

"Where do we start?" Aang asks, ignoring Sokka's mockery of Ju Di. If he can motivate people to help because he's the Avatar, then he's going to use that.

"Let me introduce you to my allies first. We're negotiating with a few others and I need to consult Dionu and Yranna before we do something drastic, like use your influence. I need to know if that's going to pull with the people we want on side."

"Sounds complicated," Aang says.

"Yeah," Kaito laughs, and only he really laughs in the face of such problems. Aang certainly doesn't. "Politics always is. Especially when you're trying to move things in a more democratic direction at the same time."

Toph would scoff at that. But she'd understand what was going on anyway. The Airnomads never had such complicated relationships as the people here. He feels a pang of homesickness again. It scrapes against his lungs.

"Democratic?" Sokka asks. Aang focusses back on the conversation.

"That's when the ruling class is everyone, not just someone who was born in a palace. People make their own decisions and vote on important issues. For that to work well, you need a more than decent education system and an easy way to vote. Where it's also not just the majority vote that wins, but on important issues, it has to be three thirds. It would also have multiple representatives for each district in the rings. As for how things work out when there aren't so many people who can be exploited anymore, I'm curious to see what systems will be set up, so that we can still feed the population and provide the means for education at the same time…"

Kaito sighs, and then he grins at Sokka and Aang who're looking pretty dumbstruck. Kaito is doing all that? But… that sounds a lot like the Airnomads did things. Everyone got a say, and everyone looked out for the others.

"Anyway, I think I can bring you by Dionu's bakery tomorrow, if you're free. We could look at the school then, too."

Aang nods, that sounds good. He's curious to meet the people who are helping Kaito.

"So do you want to show me how well your facebending's been coming along?"

.

KAITO

It ends up with Aang and me soaking wet, Sokka laughing, but not for long. Then I have him show me how much he's improved with the sword.

And it's when he's almost disarmed me, that Katara and an unfamiliar figure enter the backyard.

"Go Sokka!" the girl cheers.

He falters, and I use the opening he provides to disarm him.

"Aw man!" he whines, "I almost had you!"

"You did," I admit and extend my hand for the forearm clasp that signals the reconciliation after the spar. "Next time, you'll beat me. Maybe Yranna will have some time to show you some more tricks when I introduce you tomorrow."

"How about an introduction now?" the girl prompts.

"Ah, Toph, this is Kaito. Kaito, this is Toph, she's Aang's earthbending teacher!" Katara introduces.

"Right," she says, crossing her arms. "And how do you know him?"

"He travelled with us from the Northern Watertribe."

"And he taught me facebending!"

"Facebending, Twinkle Toes? Are you sure he wasn't pulling your nose?"

"I certainly wasn't," I cut in, "Hello, Toph. It's nice to meet you. Hello, Katara."

"He really wasn't, look!" and before I can stop him, Aang cuts a grimace and sends a splash of water their way. Small, but about to ruin their makeup. So I intercept.

"Now, Aang," I admonish, "Don't go around ruining people's makeup. You can show them later. Maybe, to really impress Toph, you could try earthbending with your face."

He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "Right."

"So what was that about introducing Sokka to someone who can show him a few tricks?" Katara asks, stepping closer.

"Kaito's working to overthrow the Dai Li and he's gathering allies. And he thinks that they have something to do with Appa's disappearance because the Dai Li has a Ju Di division who try to control the flow of information in Ba Sing Se. They tried to collect all of the flyers you had printed, so…" Sokka explains. "He's going to introduce us tomorrow, if you haven't got anymore plans to go to get your makeup done."

"Don't knock it till you've tried it," I tell him, "It can feel really nice to have someone massage your face."

He gapes a little.

"Also, who doesn't like massages?" I add. "That's just weird."

"Wha- you're weird!"

"Me?"

"I can already tell," Toph cuts in, "That you're going to be fun to have around, Mr Facial."

It sets me laughing and Sokka, too, although he's going beet-red. "Toph!" Katara exclaims.

Aang looks like he doesn't get what's going on. He's too young. I can't read Toph. So I hope she made that joke in all innocence. She's smug, but that doesn't have to mean anything.

.

ZUKO

Uncle gave him some extra money with the words, "Go take Mai somewhere nice. And comb your hair!"

Like Zuko doesn't take care of his personal hygiene.

Well. He asked Mai where she wanted to go because these days he can't be sure of much, except for 'no fish' and by now he thinks it's hers and Kaito's way of saying goodbye. He's kind of curious how Kaito makes the fish if it's become like that. Anyway, Mai smiled when Zuko did ask her where she'd like to go, so that was the right choice. He refuses to acknowledge how proud he feels about that.

So here they are and for some reason, Zuko is nervous. Normally, they can talk easily, but Mai looks really beautiful, hair done up and for once, she's missing the Watertribe necklace. It bothers Zuko more than it should, he realises. He just. Doesn't like Kaito that much and Mai is. His girlfriend. So.

But he doesn't know if it's too soon to offer a replacement.

He. That would be like saying they can build a life together here, in Ba Sing Se. And…

Uncle would like that.

Zuko just… doesn't. So he doesn't want to make any promises.

But Mai is beautiful, and cool, and smart and… He just likes her. She makes his heart jump against his breastbone, and he can just talk to her because she knows where he comes from, who he is. He doesn't have to pretend with her.

"You're quiet tonight," Mai observes, fiddling with her cup.

"I- it's just… You look so nice," he blurts finally, not knowing what to say.

But it seems like the right thing because Mai blushes and it's- Zuko likes her blush.

"Thank you," she smiles. "So what did you think of my lesson plans?"

And that. Is one of the points where she impresses him and makes him question everything he knows. Because she found so many rituals and phrases that are – according to her and Kaito, propaganda. It serves, they say, to encourage a militaristic mentality, to perpetuate the belief that the Fire Lord is a god among men, which makes it seem like he can do no wrong. And if he can't, Mai said to him one night, bluntly, his hand in hers, then what he did to Zuko wasn't wrong either and she disagrees.

"They're very structured. And easily understood," he says. "But I've heard all the- the rituals before, so maybe you should speak to someone who hasn't if they understand you."

He's not ready to confront all of this yet. But Mai just. Sets it all before him, lays it out. She even put in how firebending training is specifically structured to foster competition. And that puts Azula, in their childhood, in another light. He still can't believe that she lost her memory, burned two guards to a crisp, escaped with Kaito and after being captured by pirates somehow regained her memory. It's not something he'd believe if it weren't Mai telling him all this.

"Yes, you're right," she agrees and smiles at him again. "So I heard from Mushi that…"