"Batu, I don't think this safe." Mayumi warned from the back of the bison.
"Don't worry, this just part of the training for the kids to be a better Air-bender!" Jargal said enthusiastically. He fastened the rope that is attached to the little boy onto the bison's saddle. In the scenario that Batu lost control of his airbending and fall off the sky, this would be his only safety net to save him from death.
Satchiko glanced nervously at what they are doing. She is astonished that none of the airbending children on this 'airbending school' bison is afraid. They are all just chatting leisurely.
They are currently traveling with the entire clan on their large sky bison herd toward the direction of Ba Sing Se. While on the way, they will be stopping at a trading post. The whole village have been flying on high altitude for a while now, and so far, they have not encountered any bandits or soldiers from one of the Earth Kingdom states. While they have heard news about conflicts and battles from other places, they should be fine as most wars are fought on the ground.
In the meantime, Temujin tasked Jargal to teach a group of young air-benders. Batu, along with other kids similar to his age, participated in this possibly risky lesson. Every student wields a sharp spear, which still boggles the mind of the two wondering Kyoshi warriors as to what purpose it actually serves. The two sisters are only here as observers, ignorant of what kind of training these children are getting into. But from the looks of it, this is certainly not their first time doing this. These children seem rather laid back, some even started to talk with one another, as if this is just like a normal classroom.
When Satchiko saw these children wielding spears reminded how she and the other girls also trained as Kyoshi warriors at a young age. Due to the constant threat of pirates, Akahana would never hesitate to give little girls weapons. Perhaps it is the environment that have caused them to be this way. Like these children in front of her, as long as there is a threat that endangers you and your family, even the youngest member of a family would be trained to take up arms.
"Now kids!" Jargal declared. "Today we are joined by our two visitors. I want you all to be on your best behavior! These two have saved Batu from those cursed bandits!"
"Wow!" The children all said at the same time. Although some did started to chuckle.
"You don't need to mention that part!" Batu hissed at the airbending instructor. He still felt a bit too embarrassed that he have to be saved by someone else. Usually, he wants to carry his own weight, and not be seen as liability to the whole clan. While everyone accepted an outsider like him, he still cannot bear the shame of causing them trouble by failing to stand on his own.
Jargal ignored Batu's complaint, and laughed loudly. "Anyway, now Batu, since Satchiko and Mayumi have never seen how we train our air-benders into warriors. Show them how we do things around here!"
Batu felt tired, but still did it nonetheless. He just woke up early in the morning, and had to attend to training. He slowly walked towards the edge of the bison, with a spear on his left hand.
Both Kyoshi warriors watched with both anticipation and fear. They trusted that Jargal is applying some sort of teaching method to these young air-benders. But their own unfamiliarity of these people's way of life still warrants their concerns about Batu's safety.
"Jargal," Satchiko asked. "You sure this ok?"
It was a simple question, which the children find it unnecessary. But Jargal knew where her concerns are coming from, any outsider looking at this would assume that the kids are doing something extremely dangerous. But to them, attaching a rope to Batu is above the usual safety standards for this specific air bending training.
Without addressing Satchiko's worries, Jargal displayed an assuring smiled. He turned to Batu, and voiced a single word.
"Jump."
Both Kyoshi warriors gasped, what did he just say?
Batu didn't act on it immediately. He stretched his back, and made a loud yawn. He appears to be taking his time, and showed zero interest of being scared.
"Yeah whatever," he lazily responded.
Batu let go of the control that balanced his whole body. Without doing anything at all, he leaned casually over the edge of the bison. Head downward, he slowly fell out of the bison, making Satchiko and Mayumi widening their eyes.
It was difficult for both of them to hold themselves still, but they remained calm as Batu didn't even scream or cry when he disappeared over the edge.
Flop!
"..."
It sounded as if a bird expanded its own wings to take flight. Batu now reappeared, and he is flying?
Mayumi has seen this before. In the books, the air nomads are said to have always carried some sort of wooden staff that allows them to actually fly by using air-bending. A hidden compartment would provide a glider, which aided the user in flying.
The spear in Batu hands now have multiple winged that allows him to stay afloat in the air. Flying side by side the bison, he effortlessly controlled the direction to which he is flying.
"Weeee!" He said as he did a flip to show off. The rope is still attached to him, so he can do any tricks with it without much care for safety.
"Don't be careless kid, you haven't even earns your grey arrow yet, now maintain your flight and don't go too far." Jargal adviced the young air-bender. "Don't forget to return here when you are tired. Next!"
The rest of the children subsequently followed Batu's procedures. They each tied themselves to a long rope, and all hop off the bisons and opened up the wings in their spear. They are glided with ease. Judging by their faces, it must be very fun to do this.
"Man, I wish I can have one of those!" Satchiko said after being in awe at what these children are doing. "If I have this, I can see Kyoshi island from above. I can even go from one village to another with walking!"
Mayumi chuckled lightly. "It's not like we can air bend my little sister!" She then rubbed the hair on Satchiko, which did made the younger sister felt she is still being treated like a toddler.
Satchiko hastily fixed her hair after Mayumi he finished messing with it, and resumed her activity watching these children training.
As the children are continued, another bison flew close by. Armed warriors with composite bows and spears are on it, clearly this is a bison that is designated to carry the warriors that protects them.
"Jargal, keep your eyes peeled. Bandits are not the only things to look out for when we are traveling through hostile zones. We don't want to get caught in a battle between the states."
"I know," Jargal frankly responded. He looked at the young children who are still having fun with using the gliders. Even though it is risky to do something like this out in the open sky, he still find it very peaceful by just observing the carefree nature of these kids.
He himself and the children's parents have went through many horrors that is still unimaginable to these young minds. He knows how people can change drastically if they are exposed to extremely disturbing atrocities at a young age.
Even Batu, who seems all childish now, has definitely undergone some behavioral adaptations after what happened to his own village. Being scarred by his parent's death, the boy has definitely formed a grudge to both the Acolytes of Vaatu as well as the air-nomads, the latter who didn't delivered their promises of saving the village.
"Jargal," Mayumi asked politely. "What is this trading town like?"
This inquiry about the place where these people traded some wool from the sky bisons have definitely intrigued them. She wanted to know more about a town whose sole function is to serve as a trading center.
"Well, it's just a trading post, nothing too fancy." Jargal replied plainly. "No guards, no bandits, no disasters, not yet anyway."
What he said sounded rather ominous, as if all the good things in this world is only temporary in the face of chaos and destruction.
"What do you mean?" Satchiko asked.
"A town like this have only existed so far is because it is lucky. The moment when war or some sort of conflict find it, things wouldn't be pretty."
What Jargal insinuated to the Kyoshi warriors ran opposite to the laughing children in the background.
If there is one thing Temujin, Khenbish and everyone else desires, is to keep their own people safe, primarily the next generation. Even if the whole Earth Kingdom is now engulfed in the flames of conflict and civil war, they will just escape even further. Roaming around the four nations, and never look back.
Satchiko thought about what Jargal is saying. Despite her own personal goal is to reach Ba Sing Se and master Earth bending, she knew her mind couldn't just ignore what is happening across the Earth Kingdom. She heard from the other people, about wars, starvation, bandit raids, massacres, and how division between people feeds into the ever growing suffering of this world. She wanted to forget about all of it, the cries of the mother, the children begging for food, and the smell of Shui's burning body. She wished she had never discovered the harsh reality of the real world.
"I have got to say, the Earth Kingdom has definitely got some of the largest mountains in the world, look at the size of them!" Mayumi remarked. The large mountain ranges and forest beneath them provided a good view from above. Large hills and cliffs, towering each other, alone with vast number of trees to covering them. For Mayumi, she never got the chance to take a better look them when she visited Chin village.
Satchiko didn't share the enthusiasm, she leaned onto the handrails of the large bison saddle and looking further out to the mountains and forests that lies beneath them all. As wind blew across her face, elevating her hair, she looked as though as she is contemplating something. At least her sister is enjoying the sightseeing on this journey, Satchiko thought to herself.
"Mayumi," Satchiko said. "I miss home. I want to eat some of mum's cooking." She wasn't hungry at all, perhaps she has become homesick, and unaccustomed to being so faraway from Kyoshi island.
"Me too, sister." Mayumi replied, not pointing out the fact that she herself can also make similar tasting food. "But when you finish learning Earth Bending, we can go back to mum, dad, and everyone else. Remember what you promised Kazuki? She and the girls all wanted to see you Earth bend."
While it felt reassuring that she is hearing this, part of Satchiko still felt adamant about this journey. She thought the world outside is a place that deserves to be explored, and appreciated. That is true, seeing new things does expand a person's knowledge and wisdom. Yet, there are things she prefer to remain ignorant about.
"Jargal," Satchiko asked. "Is it ok if I ask you a question?"
"Sure," Jargal said without facing her. He is scouting the perimeters while also making sure Batu and the kids didn't fall off. He currently standing on the massive saddle, putting one of his foot on handrails.
"After that battle yesterday, why did Temu..." She immediately remembered that calling him by his personal name is disrespectful. "I mean why did your Khan decided to burn the blood bender bandit's body? She's already dead isn't she?"
"Well," Jargal isn't sure how to explain this. He knew her older sister wouldn't like Satchiko hearing things that are not healthy to a young lady.
Mayumi waited for the hunter's response. Hoping what he said wouldn't pollute the young girl's mindset.
"He hates them, that's it." Jargal delivered a simplified answer. "Those bandit and cult folks killed many people including us. That water bending acolyte and her friends intended to kidnap you two didn't she?" He wasn't there during the battle, but Ganbaatar's retelling of what happened is more than enough for him to formulate an informed answer.
While it does explain the reasoning behind Temujin's action, Satchiko felt there is more to it. It's one thing to kill a bandit, but it's another to disrespect that person after they have already died. If great hatred is what motivated Temujin's action towards those genocidal Acolytes, then he is probably the most vengeful person Satchiko has ever met. While she isn't entirely sure what it's like when most of your people have been slaughtered, she knew she does not want to go through that. One thing is certain, even if one person is taken away from her life, she would not handle it lightly. She hoped that she wouldn't turn into someone, who is consumed by vengeance.
"Watch out!" Someone shouted. "We are under attack!"
Satchiko snapped out of her daydreaming, and quickly assessed the surroundings. She noticed that the entire convoy of sky bisons, suddenly scattered. All flying into various directions as a group of strange objects enters Satchiko's vison.
The childrens are all startled, Jargal immediately recalled them back to the bison.
"Kids!" He commanded in urgency. "Keep your heads down and don't move!" There was a lot of concern in what he said.
Batu saw those flying objects, and his expression instantly became wary. While the other children of his age are nervous about what is happening, he isn't. The rope is still attached to him. Without others looking at him, he quietly untied his safety rope, allowing him unrestricted movement in the air.
The noises of countless engine rattling rhythmically is now picked up by the Kyoshi warriors. They looked towards the side of the convoy, and spotted many small black dots in the sky.
Many clansman are panicking, to them, they knew who they are. It's easy to take on four of them, but there are now many of them coming right at the nomads.
The black objects is now more visible. From a distance, Mayumi can pick up the characteristics of what those are.
Metal objects, with large heavy wings and people sitting in it. A propeller spinning quickly is attached at the front of each of those flying objects. Painted in the menacing color of black, there are at least 30 of them.
"What in the world is that!?" Satchiko questioned. She didn't even know such invention even existed. The most sophisticated vehicle she know so far is the steam boat, and that is powered by coal and fire bending. From her perspective, there is no explanation to how on earth those metal birds are even capable of flying.
"Here we go again!" Mayumi told herself. It appears that even if they are traveling by air, they still cannot be safe.
...
"There they are, those impure Kheshigs!" A man dressed in a weird outfit shouted violently from the backseat of the plane. "Bring their heads to the master, and we will all be rewarded greatly!"
Sound of cheers and hideous laughters erupted from the other bi-planes in response to the rallying cry of their leader. All the bi-planes now flying in a triangular formation, following their command and charge straight towards the the convoy of bisons.
"This is not part of the mission, Tufei!" The pilot voiced his complaint. "Our mission was supposed to be finding the guerrillas that harasses the allies of the United Republic! We have no time to gallop around to kill some nobodies on sky bisons!"
"Silence Wuli!" The leader roared. He produced a flame in his hand, threatening the man driving this two seated bi-plane. "Non-believers like you have no right to question the flawless judgment of a pure fire bender like me! We are chosen by the master himself! The duty of purifying this world from all impure benders overrules all else! Now drive at full force!"
Wuli only concealed his anger. He understands that this is a joint mission, and these guys would serve as their allies if they fight those guerrillas. But sometimes, he felt working with these people may not be beneficial to both him and Republic city in the long run. The whole point of working with these fanatics is to search and destroy a group of guerrillas that are hostile towards United Republic friendly warlords and governors. Destroying them would minimize the damage to United Republic interest on the rest of Earth Kingdom.
However, intelligence have provided info that a group air-benders with bisons are traveling in the same area, which was overheard by Tufei, the leader of this group of 'pure' firebenders. Since Wuli and his fellow pilots are non-bending pilots, they are forced into this, and deviated from the original plan of going after the guerrillas.
"I will surely regret this," Wulin muttered to himself. He pushed hard on the pedal, and the bi-plane charged forward. The rest of the pilots followed his example. They are went full speed ahead, in hopes to carry out a successful ambush.
The group of bisons are now scattered like ants, no coordination at all. Since this was such a surprise, even to the nomads, they are trying their best to adapt.
"Fire at will!" Tufei commanded. "Leave none alive!" They are now closer to their target, and a good chance to strike.
From each of the bi-planes, a streak of fire can seen protruding out of firebenders. With each bi-planes, comes with a pilot as well as a firebender siting at the back. Since bi-planes does not have a strong air-air combat capability, a good way to overcome this would be to use benders to shoot projectiles.
The bisons and the ones riding on them evaded the projectiles. They all tried to escape as far away as possible from this new threat. Some of the Kheshigs also tried to shoot regular arrows at the bi-planes, but they mostly bounced harmlessly of the vehicle's metal exterior.
"Split up and shoot them down!" Tufei demanded. "Their arrows are not match for the bi-planes! Forward, brave warriors of the master!"
Every bi-plane selected and chase their own targets, and the bisons in response dodged the fire thrown at them. With relative accuracy, the firebenders were able to almost hit some of the passengers. Since most bisons carried people who are yet to be properly armed, they are easily outgunned by the well trained fire-benders and the weapons on the bi-planes.
Wuli is worried, their whole unit is now out of formation. Individually chasing the bisons would make the entire squadron vulnerable to a counter attack. Luckily, it doesn't appear that these airbenders have any.
"Go after them!" Tufei yelled dogmatically to Wuli. He then slapped the pilot's head, which does hurt the pilot. Wuli then saw where Tufei is pointing at. It was a sky bison that is carrying children.
What?
Wuli is suddenly hesitant, is Tufei and his firebenders very going to kill kids?
"What are you waiting for? Go after them!" Tufei demanded after noticing the bi-plane didn't increase in speed. He knew those children must be air-benders, an abomination that must be eradicated from the face of this world. The teaching of his master dictates that bending must remain as pure as possible. Any children born with tainted bloodline is therefore killed to prevent further damaging the bending capabilities of future blood offsprings. Non-benders who became air-benders after harmonic convergence is a very high target priority, they would even temporarily stop killing normal people just so they can focus of them.
"I will report this to the..." Before Wuli can finish his sentence, he felt something has landed on the back of the plane.
"Batu!" Satchiko shouted with horror. "What are you doing!"
Wuli noticed the two Kyoshi warriors sitting on the bison. To him, this is the first time seeing the famed warriors founded by Avatar Kyoshi herself. He remembered that one of his close friend have a deep admiration towards these women warriors.
But seeing the two lady in their recognizable face paint brings more shock then surprise. He is confused as to why there are Kyoshi warriors right here, of all places.
Sounds of struggle can be heard from the back, Wuli turned his head around. A little boy is standing on the tail of the plane, and is trying to thrust a spear into Tufei. The grown man bandit was barely able to catch the spear right before it reaches his clothing.
Wuli didn't know where this boy came from. They are high up in the air, and he is pretty sure none of the bisons got near him.
Batu's face is filled with rage as he tries to stab the spear into Tufei. He wanted to fulfill his vengeance. But he is just a boy, and this bandit can easily overpower him.
"Yah!" Tufei roared as he strangled Batu's weapon sideward using both hands. This momentary unbalanced Batu, and the mad bandit used this opportunity to shoot out a streak of fire from his palm.
Realizing danger, Batu quickly fall backwards, almost being torched by fire bending. But when he tries to open up his spear glider, he realized that his weapons has been damaged, and the wings only came out half open. A large portion of the glider was even burning.
"Oh no," Batu said upon realizing. He fall straight down towards the ground. Seeing this, Satchiko and Mayumi halted their breathing.
"Hahahaha!" Tufei laughed in triumph. For he has just killed one of the Kheshig. "Weaklings! That is what you get for opposing the elite warrior chosen by the great and powerful master! Long live the Eternal Balance!"
Wuli cannot help but feel disgusted by this. While he was at least aware the questionable ideals these folk believe while back in Republic city, he didn't think they would take it that far as to kill little children. The many believers who lived in isolated communities within Republic city always preached about more 'lenient' ways in exercising their vision of purity. Things such as discouraging benders of different elements from having offsprings. Wuli never agreed with them, and he would probably denounce them if he can. Yet, as the proud defender of the United Republic, he have to endure the brutality of working with the likes of these acolytes. The United Republic need allies that are familiar with geography of the Earth 'Republic'.
"Elite warrior of your master eh?" An unconvinced voice of a man spoke. Both Wuli and Tufei turned their heads around. A large grey bison now ascended to their level behind the moving bi-plane, and a man in brown wool clothing stand tall on its head. "Last time I fought that master of yours, he couldn't even stand properly. His will to fight is terrible, just like this pathetic idea you believe in." The Khan said, both serious and stern.
"You dare insult our master and the great Eternal balance!" Tufei shouted radically. If it wasn't for the empty distance between him and Temujin, he would have jumped at the man.
"That's right! He did!" Batu now appeared from the back of the Khan's sky bison. Tufei is dumbfounded that the boy is still alive. It appears that he was caught by the bison in the middle of the fall.
Tufei growled with displeasure. The goal of every believer of the Eternal Balance must dedicate every fiber of their being to purify the world. Seeing that there is resistance to their glorious way, he cannot help but feel vexation when he is directly in front of the very people that have escaped the purification. The joy of plundering and cleansing that particular city is only dampened when the last survivors was saved by the bisons.
"In the name of my master, I will kill you and your people. So that we can further eradicate the air-benders living on the Earth Kingdom." Tufei chanted as he conjure a small but condensed flame inside his palms. "You impure Kheshigs will not escape this time! Purity will triumph!" Tufei now expelled the flames from his palm. It was big, very big. Arguably similar to Huo's technique. The flame is like a living crimson creature that is encroaching the Khan's bison.
"It's funny how you people wanted to have air-benders annihilated from the Earth Kingdom, yet still recruit them to your ranks." He commented. Report from his warriors detailed that there was an air-bending bandit associated with Huo that is possibly also an acolyte of Vaatu. The Khan was not interested to argue with the brainwashed fool in front of him. He opened his hand, and pointed at the incoming fire attack. A large and powerful thrust of air was delivered. It swiftly repelled the attack, and pushed the flames backwards.
"You idiot!" Wuli asserted to the impulsive Tufei. The returning flames from Tufei's strike temporarily consumed the entire bi-plane, causing the engine and some other parts to catch fire. Wuli's leather helmet was also immediately discarded after it caught on fire.
With this new liability, the bi-plane's speed slowed significantly. Wuli did his best to keep the vehicle in the sky, but struggles to do so.
The Khan saw this, but didn't give chase, he reached a horn hanging on the saddle's handrails. He proceeded to throw it at Batu, and instructed him to blew it.
"Do it," the Khan requested.
Without hesitating, the little boy wielded the horn and made a loud tone. Satchiko and Mayumi also heard it, and so is everyone else.
A large swarm of sky bisons now arrived from the sides of the battle in the air. They carried heavily armed archers and air-benders that are trained specifically for occasions like this.
They concentrated their effort to chase down the few dozens of bi-planes that is trying to harm the defenseless Kheshig nomads.
Against this new development, the bi-plane squadrons are helpless. Their leader is absent to give them a command, and the tide of this battle turned as both sides are engaged into arial dogfight.
The nomads on their bisons have various ways to take down flying enemies. Ever since they have lost their homeland, they have developed various tactics that can help them in fighting the Acolytes of Vaatu.
As the nomads chased down the planes with the bisons, the archer warriors would shot arrows. While the airbenders would destabilize the bi-planes with powerful gusts of air, the fire flask attached to the arrows would damage the engine, and most likely injuring the people on the bi-planes.
"Do not falter brothers!" A firebender acolyte shouted. "Remember, they cannot harm us! With our master's personal blessing, we are invincible!"
Just as he said that, a bi-plane nearby went up in flames. An arrow attached with an inflammable vial made the engines explode, killing both the acolyte and the pilot.
A fire-bender then throws a projectile towards a bison, whose driver steered it out the way. The air-bender on it then pummeled that bi-plane to slow it down. Before the pilot can steady the bi-plane and get it back to normal speed, archers fired arrows at the plane. The inflammable flasks came to contact with the engines, jeopardizing both the pilot and the fire-bender.
"Curse you impure low lives!" The fire bender yelled before another bi-plane exploded into bits and pieces.
The nomads laughed at this sight and continued to repeat the process on more bi-planes.
"Mayumi look! We are winning!" Satchiko pointed the obvious. The bi-planes are all in disarray, the bandits and their pilots cannot effectively respond to the nomad's combat tactics. They watched from a safe distance, as the bison they are on is hovering away from the main battlefield to join up with the other non-combative bisons.
"The head of the snake has been eliminated, so the rest of its body is as good as dead!" Jargal said to describe this situation. The Khan and his grey alpha bison also joined the battlefield. The beast is stronger, faster and more aggressive than the rest of the herd, it successfully rammed through multiple bi-planes, tearing them into pieces.
Being a professional hunter for the clan, Jargal knew what happens when a beast lost its ability to coordinate. It's whole body will struggle until their dying breath, and the hunter delivers the killing blow. It's like this group of flying bandits before them, now being blown into pieces or shredded by bison teeth. It's actually both painful and satisfying to watch these cultist being taken down by the warriors and their bisons. Without the commanding pilot leader, these bi-plane pilots cannot formulate a coordinated response.
"Um, Jargal?" A kid said nervously. "I think we have a problem."
The hunter and the two Kyoshi warriors turned around and saw a stray bi-plane heading straight for them. It's clear they are targeting this very bison.
"I will handle it," Mayumi said. She begin to pull out her throwing knives, hoping to delay the advance of that bi-plane.
"No, leave it to me!" Jargal pulled out his trusty bow, and reached for an arrow inside his quiver. While he has no inflammable flask on him, he can still use arrows to kill the enemies directly. It might be hard, but not impossible from this distance.
As the bi-plane arrives closer, the hunter air-nomad firstly shoot out a blast of air, effectively altered the trajectory of the flying vehicle. The plane tilted sidewards, exposing the fire bender and allow Jargal a clearer shot.
With a single release from the strings, Jargal's arrow was sent speeding towards the firebender, piercing his chest. The bandit fell out of the passenger seat, and headed for the ground.
"Nice shot Jargal!" The children cheered.
Satchiko watched alone as the man fall below the clouds and disappeared. She doesn't want to know what would happen when the body finally slams into the earth, thean would probably die from the fall. What happens after that is only even more spine-chilling. She knew a body's decompose and then...
"Hey!" Mayumi forcefully used her hands to pull Satchiko's shoulder away from the handrails. "This isn't the time to zone out and worry about unnecessary things! Focus!"
Before Jargal can shot the pilot of the bi-plane, a bola was propelled towards them. This caused Jargal to lost his balance, as the bison he is standing has four of its legs restrained by the bola. The strings wrapped themselves around the bison's legs, hindering its movement.
Jargal cursed the pilot as the bison is going downwards. With the legs restrained, the bison simply cannot air-bend normally. Soon, the beast growled as they all descended to the ground.
Seeing that the enemy has lost their advantage, the pilot of the bi-plane flew to a higher altitude. A compartment below the bi-plane slid open, revealing a bomb that is prepared to obliterate Jargal and the rest.
Right before the pilot pressed the button to release the explosive, a black arrow struck his left shoulder. He screamed in pain, trying to remove it from his flesh. The harder he pulled the arrow, the more excruciating his pain becomes. The sharp tip is designed so that it cannot be easily removed on the battlefield. Bone and flesh alike was no match for the iron tip, and the United Republic pilot knew he must retreat back to the military base.
"I got him Khenbish," Ganbaatar said. "Now, ram those propellers!"
!!!
The pilot turned his head sidewards, and saw a large brown arrow coming right in front of him. He have saw this arrow before. Whenever he encounters air-benders in Republic city, he remembered they loved to ride on sky bisons.
Smash!
The pilot felt his vision is spinning rapidly. The tremendous impact of a sky bison's ramming the bison-plane forced it into a speedy fall towards the ground. Without the propellers, the plane is now in detrimental state.
Knowing that he might die, the pilot used his remaining strength to drag himself out of the bi-plane. With his left shoulder immobilized by the injury, he relied on his other hand to open up the parachute. When he did, he saw an explosion from the ground. Fire and smokes can be seen from the wreckage. It seemed that the plane's bomb has detonated following the bi-plane's impact to the surface.
Khenbish now steered the bison towards where Jargal's bison have disappeared to. The thick clouds and forest below would definitely make it hard for them to find the school of kids.
"Hold on," Saran said in a worried tone. "What about our son? We should be checking if he is unharmed first!"
The whole family just witnessed Batu charged recklessly into a battle, almost got killed and then fall off the biplane. If the Khan wasn't there to catch him, he wouldn't have survived.
"He is safe. He is a strong boy." Khenbish replied to his beloved wife, hoping that it can . "The Khan is with him, we need to make sure Jargal and the other children would make it back alive to their parents."
"That's right, besides, that kid is probably in the safest place right now." Ganbaatar agreed with Khenbish's instincts. The battle is now favoring them, as the biplanes are getting shot down one at a time. But the enemy can still escape out of their biplanes by parachuting to the ground. If those fire bending acolytes just so happens to find the children, who knows what happen.
"We need to search for those children as soon as possible." Sarangerel warned. She kept her eyes peeled to see if they can spit Jargal's bison on the forest below. "Jargal and the girls can't defend the children for long, especially against the firebenders."
"When I find Jargal," Saran said angrily. "He has some explanation to do!" She is clearly displeased with how that hunter failing to keep Batu safe.
Ganbaatar made a loud whistle using his mouth. Then, another sky bison hovered besides the one Khenbish is on. It was Ganbaatar's personal bison of war, Takhi.
The warrior jumped onto the bison. He pulled the ropes to guide Takhi to another direction.
"We will split up!" Ganbaatar said. "Find those children, and regroup!"
He is off. And with the battle still raging behind them, he hurried towards the surface, expecting that he might need to fight some surviving enemy.
...
Mayumi used his katana in an attempt to cut through the bola that have entrapped the bison's leg. The children all waited with unease, hoping that they can return back to their parents.
"It's not working," Mayumi said to Jargal and Satchiko in disbelief. "These ropes are somehow made of metal!"
Both of them is amazed when Mayumi said this. Upon further examination, the bola had additional contraptions that clicks the two metal balls together, making removal even more difficult.
"Looks like Future Industries have gotten a lot of budget this year." Mayumi said half jokingly. She proceeded to use her little knife and inserted into the metal contraption, hoping that she can open up the sophisticated locks. Usually a bola is easy to remove, they simply metal balls with ropes attached to them. However, this bola right now is clearly much more advanced.
"Jargal, are we going to die?" One of the children asked. He is becoming more anxious by the situation they are in. When the bison crash landed in this thick and dense forest, they lost sight of the other bisons.
"Not if I am here," Jargal said in an attempt to ease their growing concerns. However, he knew that if a whole group of those fire bending bandits come here to fight, they might not be able to protect the kids with only three of them.
The bison suddenly made a hostile growled. It has sensed something approaching. The rustling of plant leaves can be heard in the nearby trees.
Satchiko, who have fought the the four previous bandits in a similar environment, knew what might happen next. Catching Jargal by surprise, the Kyoshi warrior opened up her fans to block him from a blast of fire.
The heat was intense, if that have landed on Jargal, it would have been fatal.
"There they are!" Tufei exclaimed from the bushes. He then revealed himself, and proceeds to project a fire from his palm.
Satchiko then deflected this attack to the sides, extinguishing the flame. Unlike Shui's water bending, this firebender have yet to throw out a constant stream of attacks. If he does, then she wouldn't be able to fend it off easily.
"All at once!" Tufei commanded.
Dozen of firebenders rushed out of their concealments. He all concentrated their bending into one massive strike headed straight to Satchiko.
Realizing she cannot simply block it with her metal fans, she evaded sidewards.
Without her being out of the way, the fire is in direct line of sight of the bison.
Whoosh!
Jargal kicked the ground and the air generated blew that fire away. The children watched as both Satchiko and Jargal fended off the attacks. One by one, they nullified incoming fire blasts with their capabilities.
"Hold them off!" Mayumi shouted. "I will try to get this open!" She then hacked the lock with her knife. No matter how desperate she did it, the material is very resistant.
The fire benders then stopped their attacks, much to the confusion of everyone else. The scene now is that these bandits in tattered clothing now occupy one side this field, and the bison on the other. Jargal and Satchiko stood in the middle, preventing the fire benders from reaching the children.
Tufei took a wide step forward, his face is smug, like catching a prey in its dying breath. He pointed at Jargal, noticing that he is an air-bender because of that grey arrow tattooed on the forehead.
"You are out-numbered," Tufei stating the obvious. His chest raised high, height towering his opponents. "Our goal is to ensure the future generation's bending is not tainted with impurities." He said. "Bending around the world is becoming weaker, and these children are the reason why I have decided to temporarily stop my assigned mission to ensure that the pollution of the bloodlines are stopped!"
Jargal didn't listen to Tufei's words, he reached for a strange looking arrow from his leg pocket and aim it at the bandits. Satchiko isn't sure what the man is planning, but she hopes that somehow they can make it out, just like last time.
"Join us, Kheshig air-bender." Tufei said, surprising them all. "You look like a talent air-bender, clearly a pure born. If you agree to hand over those children to us, you be rewarded. For you will become a proud warrior of our master and the great Eternal Balance!"
"Hehehehe!" Jargal laughed. In this tense situation, Satchiko is astonished that this man can still manage to laugh. The crux of this is also due to the fact that Jargal is trying to hold back his laughter.
"What are you laughing at?" Mayumi said.
"Nothing," Jargal smiled. "It's just I find it funny how people like you can consciously justify murdering people because of some weird idea of purity!"
"How is that supposed to be funny?" Satchiko asked in frustration, thinking that the air-bender have somehow lost his mind. She maintained her defensive stance, handling both metal fans in case she has to deflect more firebending.
"My mother died because I was a bender, and she isn't." Jargal said as he pulled the strings of the bow back even harder. "If you expect me to hand those children to the likes of you people, then I will make sure that one day this debt will be repaid!"
He shot the arrow up to the air, the projectile whistled loudly, alerting Khenbish and Ganbaatar.
Tufei scowled, he has finally lost patient to negotiate with this Kheshig. He alone with the other fire-benders charged towards Satchiko and Mayumi.
"Protect those kids, we will fend them off!" Jargal requested to Mayumi, who drew out her katana and throwing knives. She supported Satchiko and Jargal by throwing some knives at the enemy, wounding them.
A bandit tried used his fire bending to blast Jargal, but the air-bender acted quickly by funneling air towards him. Knocking his foe unbalanced, Jargal shot an arrow at bandit.
As a hunter, Jargal relied on his bow more than anyone. He is definitely above average amongst his people. But his additional ability to bend air is another great asset to his combat.
"Take this!" Satchiko used her metal fan and blocked a piece flame thrown by a random bandit. When the brute tries to recover after his initial attack, the Kyoshi warrior took the initiative and run up towards him. The speed caught the man off guard, it appears that he has underestimated the opponent just because she is female.
Thinking that Satchiko can be defeated with his raw strength, the bandit grasped his fist and punched towards her.
Instead of landing that forceful strike on her face, the bandit's fist missed. Satchiko maneuvered out of the way, and strangled his arm.
Crack!
Sounds of bone breaking can be heard after Satchiko twisted his arm. She then proceeded to retract her metal fans and held them in a fist, and delivered consecutive punches across the man's back.
The bandit dropped to the ground, not dead. He was paralyzed, and the only part of his body still moving is the mouth that is crying out in agony. One thing is for sure, he won't be bending fire for quite a while,
The other bandits around Satchiko is immediately frightened. They know about the dangers of chi-blocking, and how it can render even the most skilled benders into defenseless sheep.
They backed away, preparing to focus fire on the Kyoshi warrior from a distance.
Another arrow landed into the neck of a bandit. Jargal took the opening, and killed one.
"Die you vermin!"
Jargal looked up, and jumped out of the way as Tufei brought down a massive streak of fire.
The Kheshig then shot a few arrows at the leading bandit. But Tufei only simply neutralized the projectiles by burning them into dust.
The fight gone on for a while, until most of the bandits are too injured due to the archer fire from Jargal. Despite multiple attempts to get near that man, he simply hovered further away using air-bender. Every time the bandits failed to reach Jargal, plenty of acolytes would die following archer fires.
"That archer is good!" A bandit said as he watched three man being shot in the chest. They thought they can make short work of the Kheshig and the two green girls, who would have anticipated that they would take such heavy losses.
Tufei surveyed the scene, while Satchiko is still busying fighting his underlings, the nomad is taking out many of his men. In range attacks, the archer surprisingly have an upper hand against these fire-benders. He simply needs to evade the firebending, and shoot back at them.
At this current point, the two are preoccupied in their own fighting, failing to notice that Mayumi and the children's are completely exposed.
"Proud warriors of the great Eternal Balance!" Tufei commanded in renewed confidence. "Half of you will continue to fight these weaklings, the rest you, fire at those children! Slaughter them alone with that green ugly woman!"
Those that have heard this followed his command, Satchiko and Jargal panicked as a group of fire-benders concentrated their attack towards Mayumi. She alone cannot protect the bison and the children on it. If only the bison can move right now, then they wouldn't be in such a predicament.
Mayumi couldn't anything, she only used her katana in a attempt to somehow 'block' the fire. She knew she can't do it with the thin blade she is using, since she doesn't have a metal fan, she can only do whatever it takes to shield those children behind her.
"Kids!" Mayumi cried. "Climb away from the bisons! Use those gliders if you have to!"
Jargal tried to run over to the fires thrown at the bison, but the distance is too vast. He has been evading the bandits without considering that he have created a long distance with the children.
Mayumi faced the large incoming flame head on. But before she can do anything, a large object slammed to the ground in front of her. The force generated a strong wind, both nullifying the incoming flame as well as nearly blasting Mayumi off her feet.
Rooooaaarr!
A large bison donned in grey fur growled at the bewildered fire-benders. Satchiko and Jagral also stood there to watch. The Khan has personally arrived on the battlefield. From behind, Mayumi noticed that Batu is not on the bison.
The bandits are frightened, those that have just survived being rammed by one of these creatures knew how powerful they are. When unrestrained, these beasts can decimate their entire squad of elite fire-benders.
"We should retreat!" One of them sweat profusely. "Let's run while we can!"
"No!" Tufei barked, he used his fist to punch the coward that dare suggest such foolish act. To him, having Temujin reappear is a second chance for them to reap a great rewards. "That man is their leader! Kill him and they all lose morale! This our chance, to eliminate an old enemy of our great master! You hear this old man! You are not running away! Vengeance of our great master will be repaid now!"
"Vengeance?" Temujin sneered. "Your kind massacred my people, and somehow we are in the wrong? Just because there are air-benders in our ranks, does that mean we are somehow deserved to be killed? Besides, if this is anyone's day to seek out vengeance for loved ones, than it will be us."
"Heh!" Tufei produced another flame in his palm, this one ready to send it to the Khan. "You lowlives deserved the punishment because you have polluted the bloodline! Look at those children over there!" He pointed at those air-bending children, which Mayumi is still guarding protectively. "Air-bending children born in a nation reserved for Earth benders is not natural! We need to make sure that such abnormality does not fester further and taint Earth bending as a whole! If we don't do anything, than bending itself would weaken and fade! Not only that, we will make sure that children must be born with pure bending bloodlines! That way, we can ensure that future generations, do not suffer from have impurity!"
"So you are saying that you considered yourself pure?" Satchiko mustered enough courage to speak against the fanatic. "You are telling me that you are going to kill children because of... whatever that thing you believe in!"She is not the best with words, not the best with philosophical debates and arguments. But she does know that what these cultist are proposing is clearly morally corrupted.
"You naive girl," Tufei said. "We are doing the master's will! His vision that all benders should remain pure and untainted because mixing blood is an important task that must not be opposed. I don't know where you come from, but you are ones in the wrong, and we are right! As long as I devote myself to the master, I know I cannot fail! I will take Temujin's head, and presented to the great master!"
This man reminded Satchiko and Mayumi about Shui, who is also fiercely loyal to this 'master' figure. Likethe waterbender, this man is also spewing nonsense that is so hard to comprehend, yet they knew it is extremely dangerous and unethical when enforced on the defenseless people. Satchiko was never a person who would be afraid of bandits, but these people, the Acolytes of Vaatu, actually draws her concern. If it's true that they believe that bending purity must be maintained no matter the cost, then does that mean her own lackluster Earth bending would be used as an example to bolster their cause?
Temujin made a long and frustrated sigh, even his bison is irritated by the audacity of Tufei. When during a conversation with the Khan, the man never like it when people would speak as if they are assuming a higher authority than him. The Khan stared down at Tufei and his goons. The next word he chose to unleash from his mouth, might end the lives for some of them.
"Ganbaatar, kill them." Temujin said so casually. The fact that he mentioned the word 'kill' so lightly, only shows his desire to have these acolytes vanished from the face of the Earth.
The Tufei and the firebenders looked around, making sure that no one is ambushing them. Since they are now in the clearing, they would be vulnerable if a larger force of these Kheshigs came looking for them.
Slice!
The firebenders look behind them, a man In lamellar armor just landed from the sky and took out an acolyte. A scimitar is thrusted through the bandit's back, and the other side of the blade can be seen protruding out his chest.
Ganbaatar pulled his weapon backwards, allowing the dead bandit to fell forward and collapse to the ground. He then eyed the other bandits in front of him, and charged forward.
"Stop him!" Tufei shouted. "He is only one man! There is at least twelve of us here!"
The surprise attack by Ganbaatar caught many of them off guard. Unlike Jargal, who prefers to evade the enemy and attack from a distance, Ganbaatar went right on into the fray. The close proximity allowed him to cut through multiple bandits before they can even shoot out fire. In this situation, the seasoned warrior and his scimitar made these acolytes felt as though they are defensless non-benders.
Many screamed following their comrades being killed, the firebenders tried their best to mount a counterattack, but to no avail. It seems that anyone who stood in Ganbaatar's way, gets cut into pieces.
Seeing that the rear has been almost decimated by this lone warrior, and the Khan's bison blocking the way to those children. Tufei tries to explore the options. He knew he can catch up with the ever evasive Jargal, but he knew he can still at least kill Satchiko. While she might not be a Kheshig, anyone who dares stand against the mighty Acolytes of Vaatu must be defeated.
The Kyoshi warrior is currently fighting off multiple bandits. Since these people are not as strong as Shui, she can still stand alone due to past experiences. As she fended off multiple attacks from the front, she failed to realize that Tufei is manifesting a fire inside his two hands.
"Satchiko!" Mayumi cried. "Behind you!"
As the younger sister deflected another incoming fire, she immediately turned around, trying to catch her breath. She saw Tufei is preparing to toss a fire towards her direction. She is too tired, after fighting so many people at once made her movement slowed down tremendously.
"I never met you people, but anyone who sides with my master's enemy, is an enemy of mine!"
The Khan watched. Mayumi is surprised that he still haven't intervene. While she is protecting the children from further possible dangers, she thought Temujin would be the first to jump into the action. But as she saw what is coming into the fight, did she realized that there is no need to be worried.
Before Tufei released that flame from his hands, Satchiko prepared her two golden fans if she is required to block it. But she doesn't need to.
"Batu?" She cried.
Tufei felt that his right arm has been pierced. Even though he has some armor there, he felt a dagger has been thrusted into that spot.
He turned around, and found out that a little boy has thrusted a spear into his flesh.
"I feel no pain!" Tufei smeared. "A warrior of the master would never be defeated by worms like you! Now die!"
Batu wasn't afraid, for he has always sought the chance to kill bandits who belonged to the same people which murdered his parents. As he tries to deepen the thrust, Tufei instead used his other hand in an attempt to torch Batu.
Satchiko stood there and watched in horror, she feared that the boy might get hurt.
Thrust!
Another spear pierced into Tufei's other arm, diminishing his firebending. This time, the stab was much deeper, placing even the pain tolerant Tufei on guard. The wielder of the spear is more experienced, choosing to stab into the small gap between Tufei's makeshift armor.
Khenbish used his spear to pull Tufei's arm away, preventing the firebending from harming Batu. He vowed that he would never allow his son to be harmed by the same people who took everything away from him.
"Another one!" Tufei snapped. While this man is also a non-bender, he knew he would be greatly harmed if he does not stay focus. He struggled, and tries to wrestle back the control for his arm.
Satchiko noticed that inside Tufei's mouth, there is something red, something bright. Tufei pointed his mouth at Khenbish, who knew what Tufei is trying to pull off.
"You may have restrained my hands, but you impure beings are still too weak to stop me!" Tufei then proceeded to use his mouth to breathe out fire. Luckily, a small bubble of air managed to encase his own mouth, eliminating his ability to fire-bend.
Satchiko looked at the source of this air-bending, she knew it wasn't Batu, since his hands are still too busy with handling the spear. It was Sarangerel, who emerged out from hiding.
The girl used her bending to isolate his head and hands from the atmosphere. Balls of vacuum, enveloped these areas, creating a space in which the air cannot enter. Since fire needs air to to burn, this technique effectively paralyzed Tufei's firebending. But of course, there is a more dark side of using this tactic on a living being. It is said that in the past, an air-bender did something similar and killed the last Earth Queen.
Tufei is chocking, his throat made a painful sound as he tries to garner more air into his lungs. There is none found in the ball of vacuum, and his underlings couldn't even intervene this painful process. They are being helplessly slaughtered by Ganbaatar, who seems to be enjoying killing these cultist.
"Sarangerel!" Batu said, still trying to keep Tufei standing still with the sharp tip of the spear. "Keep this on longer and we can kill him!"
Satchiko is surprised that Batu can openly express his desire to end a life. He is still just a little boy, yet, he is already wishing to kill a person. She felt the father, Khenbish, must also be worried about Batu's mental development. For under normal circumstances, a kid like him should never display something so disturbing.
"We need this one alive," Temujin order from the top of the grey bison. "That brain of his is poisoned by the Acolytes of Vaatu, but we can still extract information."
"Leave it to me!"
Satchiko watched as Saran casually walked towards the rest of her family who is restraining Tufei in every way possible.
Mayumi wondered how a non-bender woman like her is able to remain so calm in the midst of conflict. Yes, Jargal and Ganbaatar are finishing off the stragglers of Tufei's firebending allies, but it is still dangerous for a non-combatant like Sarangerel to just appear here.
Bonk!
Satchiko and Mayumi widened their eyes at this unexpected sight. Saran just used her own fist and punched Tufei's head. The impact was so hard, that they thought they have heard a gentle crack. This action mad man unconscious, no longer struggling. Sarangerel ceased her air-bending. Batu and Khenbish also respectively retracted the spears that was embedded into Tufei's two arms.
Batu held back the urge to use his spear to pierce the bandit's skull. He refrained from doing so, knowing it would disobey the Khan's wishes.
"He's not dead is he?" Satchiko asked. She closed her two metal fans, relieved that she is no longer in danger. She averted her gaze as Ganbaatar and Jargal killed the remaining bandits. She wanted to cover her ears as well, just so that she avoid hearing more agonizing screams and cries from those acolytes. But she is too scared to do it, knowing that it might make the wrong impression on the Kheshig people.
When everyone lifted their head upwards, they saw that more bisons slowly landed nearby.
A warrior jumped down from one of those war bisons, he arrived in front of the Khan's mount and bowed down.
"We destroyed all those bi-plane my Khan." The warrior reported formally. "But there are still many survivors scattered around the forest. Should we pursue them?"
Temujin looked around the the thick and dense forest which surrounds the area. It might be both dangerous and risky to round up all the enemy survivors. But seeing the defeat firebenders around him, he can assume that there should not be any more of such foe hiding in the jungle.
"Round them all up, I want to know thier intentions."
Temujin's word was immediately put into action. Ganbaatar and Jargal also joined the other warriors in the search party. Those warriors that remain here tied up Tufei and any fire-benders that have unwillingly surrendered. If it wasn't for Temujin requesting them to take captives, these bandits would have killed already.
...
"So," Mayumi said as she and Satchiko walked with Khenbish and his family. "You people are called the Kheshig. It's strange that we only know about this until now."
"Yes, but you never asked what our people is called did you?" Khenbish answered. "This name was a very old one. Back then, there was a period in time when the Earth Kingdom is populated by both settled and nomadic people. Our ancestors, the Kheshig, is one of these nomadic groups which has fought countless wars across the span of centuries. Of course, they don't use sky bisons as mounts, but we still retained their ways of cavalry warfare philosophy. Being fast and speedy when fighting the enemy."
Since their ancestors have used mounts to fight successive battles against conventional infantry armies, the modern day Kheshig have also embraced this century old way of warfare. The key is to not engage the enemy for too long, and bare the most minimal casualties by maintaining distance and speed. They simply cannot afford losing any of their warriors. Instead, they choose to avoid hostile if possible, and fight if necessary.
"I thought we already told them the name of our people." Sarangerel remarked. She is surprised that Satchiko and Mayumi have just heard about the term 'Kheshig' now. If those Acolytes of Vaatu didn't mention their name, the Kyoshi warriors would have probably never know. To her, it is better for them to know what they are called, since the two new friends already introduced themselves as Kyoshi warriors.
All of them walked into a temporary camp in the middle of the forest. The whole clan of Kheshig have rounded up all the prisoners from the unexpected battle from today.
"Unhand me!" A pilot in grey uniform complained. "We are esteemed pilots of the United Republic! You have no right to treat us as..."
"Shut up already!" A warrior in full lamellar armor scoffed. "You Republic dogs have the right to keep your self-righteous mouths shut!"
He then proceeded to violently push the pilot towards the rest of the captives sitting on the ground. They are all composed of the remaining firebenders and non-bender pilots.
When both groups are rounded up together, the difference in clothing is very apparent. The fire-benders wore red tattered clothing, with leather belts connecting the different pieces togather. They each have a small ring with the symbol of dark spirit Vaatu printed on it.
In contrast to this, the pilots all wore grey aviator uniform. A leather cap cover their head, accompanied with high quality goggles. Their uniform comes with a scarf, with the name United Republic Airforce. Compared to the bandits of the Vaatu, these uniforms are identical, made with fine wool and fabric.
"That should be all of them," Ganbaatar said. "If there is any of them are left, they must have fled to a nearby United Republic military base."
Since the civil wars have broken out all across the Earth Kingdom. The United Republic have graciously deployed its troop and many oversea miller's bases across the gigantic continent. Spreading freedom, peace and democracy to all, their presence must have certainly been warmly welcomed by those living on the Earth Republic.
"You people are not welcomed here," The Khan frankly announced to the bewildered pilots. These men did not expect that they would be captured, let alone being threatened with their lives. The warriors guarding them all appeared to be very strong despite 75% of them being non-benders. While swords and arrows are considered obsolete when facing against tanks and airship, they knew these warriors can still easily kill them when ordered to.
All the pilots did was being pressured into doing Tufei's pointless ideological bidding. No way did they wanted to be sidetracked from their official mission of destroying those pesky guerrillas. But now, they have no choice but to be at the Khan's mercy, a child that have been caught by an adult for stealing candy.
Temujin inspected all the pilots, who are sitting down on the fine green grass. They are all unarmed, since none of them are benders, the Kheshig warriors didn't even bother tying them up.
"I never liked you United Republic folks being on the Earth Kingdom, after you have divided its people." Temujin stated firmly, voice deep. "I know you sell weapons, to various warlords, bandits and the lawlessness so that you can profit off the people's suffering." He went on to emphasize.
The Khan immediately drew out his scimitar and hold it at on one of the pilot's neck. Sweat and heavy breathing is suddenly detected. Satchiko and Mayumi watched as the pilot started to tremble at the giant blade that could possibly end his life.
"But I have never anticipated," The Khan hissed into the man's ear. "That you dogs would fell so low as to work directly with the Acolytes of Vaatu. I am truly surprised!"
"I..." the pilot isn't sure how to respond, but he can still try his best to enlighten the Khan about the values of his great country. "The United Republic is here to bring freedom to the Earth Republic!" He yelped in fear, knowing one wrong sentence might be the end of him. "We have no intention to anger you or your people!"
It was an abstract sentence, but the pilot tried his best to portray himself as a good guy.
"Then why are you with the bandits!" Batu yelled in indignation. "You are driving those metal birds for them, we should kill you all here now!"
This was a wild suggestion, especially from a kid at Batu's age. If this was any other children, growing up in a normal environment, then he would never recommend such extreme measures.
"They are not bandits!" The pilot tried to explain. "They are..."
He was cut off when the Khan used the scimitar's tip to tap his face. It brought the pilot's head back to focus. Making him look right in the Khan's judging stare.
"These Acolytes of Vaatu you are working with have slaughtered many of our people." Temujin said, not allowing the man to talk back. "Pillaging villages, killing families and disgracing the land. Your leadership in Republic City seems to have became bold enough to allow you naive imbeciles and these cultish bandits to work togather. What is the meaning of this? Have those hypocrite politicians fallen even lower than they have two decades ago?"
"Well...I er." The pilot in question isn't sure how to justify the United Republic collaborating with Tufei and his fire benders. He thought these Acolytes only preached about genetic purity, not killing people.
"Let my friends go!" Everyone turned around to the sound. Wuli is currently seen charging down a small hill. He is wielding an electrified metal stick. A very advanced melee weapon, much more sophisticated then the the cold weapons used by the Kheshig and Kyoshi warriors.
But at last, his recklessness would be his own undoing.
A random warrior shot a single arrow at Wuli. Inexperienced with such primitive weapon, the pilot couldn't hold on to his weapon as it was knocked out of his hand.
Even though he knew his life was intentionally spared, Wuli still have no intention to back down. He pulled out a small pocket knife, and continued his futile attempt to save his squad mates. He doesn't care what happens to the acolytes, but he knew his fellow pilots have nothing to do with this.
Wuli targeted a man who appears to be the leader. The Khan made a hand gesture to his warriors, telling them to not intervene, which did made Wuli raised his eyebrows.
Temujin meanwhile is curious what this weakling is trying accomplish here, against overwhelming odds. Compared to himself, this naive young man doesn't even have any muscles. Perhaps the difference in living conditions have forged very different physical capabilities between the Kheshig and the average citizen of the United Republic.
"For the United Republic and the people of the Earth Republic!" Wuli chanted as he stabbed his knife towards the Khan. He felt that his weapon has hit something. But he can't verify, as his foot was tripped by someone.
"Ah!" His knife was then parried by something he can't see. Wuli fell forward, face bashed into the grass. He desperately tried to climb back up to continue the fight, but a foot stepped onto his back, pressing him down to the earth.
He lifted his face upwards, and saw Mayumi gave Temujin the pocket knife. He is dumbstruck that the people who hindered him are none other than the Kyoshi warriors.
"Let me go!" Wuli complained indignantly. He tried to struggle for his freedom. But whoever is standing on top of him only stepped more forcefully.
Sounds of metal fans opened near Wuli's ear. He immediately stopped, Satchiko used both her metal fans to suppress Wuli's persistent nature. He held her two trusty fans in close proximity to Wuli's head, making sure that any sudden movement from his head might main his skin.
The Khan looked down, he held the knife in the air for all to see. He then chucked it to the grass nearby, and started to interrogate this man.
"I wonder what you were thinking when you charged out to the opening." Temujin said, smirking at Wuli's endeavor. He then strangled the collar, pulling Wuli towards the rest of the prisoners.
The other pilots tried to catch him, but most were too afraid to make any moves. They are after all at the mercy of these people with swords and bows...and sky bisons.
"Now," Temujin said as he brought all of these bandits and United Republic pilots to his attention. "Who would like to tell me why you attacked us?"
He pointed all of them with his scimitar, and none of the prisoners dared to look at his direction. He avoided eye contact with Temujin, hoping they would not be chosen to answer any questions. Satchiko and Mayumi knew, that if these people do not reveal their real intentions, they might all die. The same thing that happened to Shui, might occur again.
However, one thing that is rather inconceivable to the Kyoshi warriors is the fact that the United Republic is fine with working alongside the Acolytes of Vaatu. The same organization that has proven to have ill intentions towards Kyoshi island after four of them tried to kidnap the two daughters of Akahana herself. Whatever happens, Satchiko and Mayumi also hoped that one of them can reveal why Kyoshi island was targeted.
"You think we would answer to a lowborn like yourself!" One of the firebenders bellowed, offended that he must take order from someone he deemed not even human. "Our master would come for us! And when that happens, you and all your impure kins will die by his great benevolence!"
Temujin sighed, he knew these fanatics would be a hard shell to crack. These cultist believed in this so called 'Eternal balance' so much, that they would probably be willing to jump off the cliff if this mysterious master of their said so.
"I know who you people are," the bandit said with a smug tone. "We cleansed many of your people's impurity many years ago didn't we? But too bad some of you escaped!" He sounded as though he is dissatisfied, like a hunter whose prey have escaped.
"I was there when it happened, when we brought the eternal balance to your town. Your sinful ways of propagating impurity through mixing blood will damage the Earth bending bloodline! Your evil plot has been foiled! And we will not stop until the whole world submits to our..."
Slice!
A sharp blade cut open the man's throat, and he immediately dropped and struggling for his life. Temujin ensured that the swing was as painful as possible, while also allowing the bandit to bleed out slowly.
"Who's next? Perhaps you folks in your fancy uniforms are a bit smarter than your bandit friends." Ganbaatar said as he gently rubbed the surface of his scimitar. "The ever so righteous men of the United Republic loves to help out an oppressed old man like me, would you?"
Nothing about Temujin suggested that he is being oppressed. The Khan is clearly exploiting the pilot's notion that the people of the Earth Republic are people that are desperately in need of helping. All the captives are now trembling even harder, who could blame them, they just saw what the Khan did to one of the Acolytes of Vaatu.
"They made us did it!" A pilot cried desperately. "It's them! They forced us to follow you! We are not bandits, but these cultist, they are!"
"Your government sell bi-planes and mecha-tanks to these bandits." Subutai said as in walked forward. He narrowed his eyes as he knew this truth is rather uncomfortable for those who came from the United Republic of Nations. "Your government even allowed a whole community of the Vaatu Acolytes to live in Republic city, giving them the perfect breeding ground to increase their followers!"
"Yeah!" A warrior shouted. "You think you government cares about us? That's not for you to decide!"
The pilot diverted his eye contact with everyone else, and stared directing at the ground. Judging by the uncomfortable reaction of the pilot in question, Satchiko now realized what Jinora said was probably true. But it's still incomprehensible how people in the United Republic could even accept having such a radical group living in the city. Are the people very that ignorant of the true agenda and violence of the Acolytes of Vaatu?
"We are not bandits!" A firebender defended, barking at the non-benders. "Our glorious master tasked all his followers to ensure bending is not weakened! Every generation, we saw benders having weaker bending than the last. Why? Because people of different bending as well as non-benders intermarry! Children born through such despicable unions are destined to have a lower bending ability than their parents!"
Temujin ignored the annoying bandit. He went back to interrogating the pilots. He saw Wuli, who seems to be watching the conversation very closely.
The Khan then marched right in front of the Wuli, who is caught off guard by this sudden movement.
"You look like the captain," Temujin said, noticing the small golden badge with the United Republic's symbol. "Why don't you tell us?"
"Never!" Wuli defied. "I will never sell out the United Republic of Nation and the very principles that it is founded upon! We have brought freedom and democracy to the Earth Republic, why are you ungrateful people treating us like your enemy? This is unacceptable!"
"Bahahahaha!" The Khan laughed out loud. Even his own Kheshig warriors didn't expected that kind of reaction. When he finally calmed down, he resumed his original goal. "A colony, acting like it's not part of the Earth Kingdom itself? How laughable! Tell me why you came after us, and what you were doing originally, or else." Temujin shifted his body language to be more intimidating. He swung his scimitar playfully, demonstrating what would happen if they don't cooperate.
Wuli is prepared to be tortured. He is ready to die for the United Republic, for democracy, and the very principles and constitution designed by the founding fathers themselves.
The Khan wielded his scimitar, so that he can cut Wuli when he refuse to answer. But then, he noticed that Satchiko, Mayumi, along with many of the other of his kin, looked towards the direction of a small distant hill top that overlooks them.
Wuli also looked, his expression is bewildered. This prompted Temujin slowly turning around, looking at what everyone else is looking at.
"Who is that?" Mayumi wondered. No one knew the answer.
A single man, probably in his early thirties, is standing on a small hill looking at them all. His uniform is nothing like what they have seen before. No armor, just green. A simple cap with a lot of wool covering it. He held a large dadao, which he rested on his shoulders.
He simply looked at the entire Kheshig clan, wondering what they are about to do with the prisoners.
"I see that you got have caught them first, Air-benders." The man said.
Author's note:
-The word Kheshig, is actually the name of the Mongol empire's imperial guards. They served as bodyguards for leaders and nobles, especially for Genghis Khan himself. While Sarangerel is confused as to why the Kyoshi warriors didn't know that these nomadic people are called the Kheshig, it mostly because I couldn't come up with a good name yet. Yeah, it's just that simple. I don't want to call these air-nomads 'Batu's people' for the whole story now do I?
-Jargal's tactic of fighting enemies with bow and arrows while avoiding them using air-bending is similar to how Mongolian horse archers would ride away from powerful foes like European knight. They would retreat while shooting arrows simultaneously on horseback, and dealing massive damage all the while being untouchable.
-Ganbaatar's fighting melee fighting style is like a Mongolian cavalry lancer. Unlike the light horse archers, Mongol cavalry lancers are like cataphracts armed with heavy armor for both horse and men(like Ganbaatar). Since cataphracts are like knights, they perform the role of delivering shock tactics and killing blows(like Ganbaatar). Of course, they would have to go up close to the enemy, and charge at them directly, killing anyone in the way(like Ganbaatar).
-The name Tufei means bandit in chinese. 土匪.
-The name Wuli means powerless in chinese. 无力.
-United Republic bi-planes are known to have bolas equipped as their projectile. This can be used to obstruct the propellers of other bi-planes.
-The dadao is well balance chinese saver with a large handle for two hands. The weapon is simple, based on agriculture cutting knife. It allows to user to have considerable cutting power despite the simplicity of the weapon. Due to many factors, this weapon often associated itself with peasant militias and revolutionaries.
Possibly canon information:
Some chose not to settle down, however, and became nomads. Some of these nomads waged war against settled people and surprised their footslogged armies with their tactic of bringing multiple mounts, switching between them on the fly to keep the animals as fresh and speedy as possible. They would later be recorded in the annals of the Earth Kingdom as "nomadic barbarians".
-Avatar Wiki in regards to Earth Kingdom history.
This suggests that the Earth Kingdom's settled people have fought many wars with the nomadic tribes, which may have been inspired by China's own war history against nomadic people of Xiongnu, Rouran, Turkic khaganate, Mongols, Xianbei, Manchus and other nomadic people who are very good with horse riding.