Now people started to slowly arrive at Omashu.
The first one to arrive being Pakku with a large group which did indeed include General How and the royal guard of Ba Sing Se.
All more than eager to join the fight and take their city back.
Then more groups came, more and more people willing to fight. Some soldiers, some just regular people.
It was up to General How, Iroh and Hakoda to determine who would actually be suited to fight.
There were young people who objected loudly and angrily when they were told they were not going to be in the army they were forming.
They got a firm lecturer by Iroh.
"And what if we loose? Who will defend this country?" Iroh asked. "Your friends and family. They will need you then. On the field you will slow the soldiers down. But here you can do good. Be where you are needed!"
The people who had been denied were still unhappy, but finally had to accept it wasn't their choice.
Then one day Appa arrived on the roof… And left again almost immediately. That was… Strange…
Aang and Zuko whom had been outside on a balcony to meditate blinked confused at each other but then finally made their way up to meet a lonely figure covered in a long brown worn out robe.
Well there was him and a big brown bear.
Aang blinked. "Bosco?" he asked.
The man reached up and pulled down his hood to reveal a young slender face, a pair of small glasses resting on top of his nose as always as the young man smiled kindly.
"King Kuei!" Zuko gasped.
"Prince Zuko." Kuei replied. "It is so good seeing you again. And you Avatar Aang." he formally bowed for them.
"It's good seeing you too. I can see Sokka brought you." Zuko commented. "What are you doing here though?" he asked.
Kuei blinked. "I thought it was obvious." he said. "You are preparing yourself for a battle. A battle to take back the earth kingdom… That's my Kingdom isn't it? What right do I even have calling myself a king if I don't do what I can to help?" he asked.
Zuko halted.
Kuei chewed a bit on his lip. "Prince Zuko… I realize. I don't know much about war or even tactics. It would be a mistake to put me on the front line. I can't even fight. But I must be involved! I wish to learn Prince Zuko! And I wish to do my bit! What-ever I can do I shall help. Even if it is merely paperwork. That at least I am good at." he smiled a little apologetic.
"You know… I think people able to distribute and do paper work are highly underated. We do need one of those." Zuko smiled amused.
"Yeah totally. We got sooooo many warriors. Not enough organizers! Bumi is a great king and all. But he's not really in for organizing the rations we have or anything." Aang grinned.
"Ah yes. King Bumi. I must meet with him." Kuei nodded. "Would you perhaps introduce us Avatar Aang?" he asked. "I understand you two are friends!"
"TOTALLY!" Aang grinned. "It'll be no problem at all. Bumi is gonna love you for sure!" he groaned.
"That's a relieve." Kuei smiled.
The moment they stepped into the great meeting hall where Bumi was currently in some sort of meeting with some councillors the old King lifted his head and then screamed. "BEAAAAR!"
Both Aang, Zuko and Kuei was completely ignored for the big brown bear with roared as Bumi ran straight for it.
"A real life bear! I never seen one! Who's a good boy who's a good boy?!" Bumi asked as he grabbed Boscos head scratching him and the bear made a satisfied rumbling sound. "Do you like cookies?" as Bumi pulled one out from his pocket and the bear immediately bit over both cookies and hand while Bumi laughed. "That's a good boy!" he padded Bosco with his free hand. Then finally pulled the cookie hand out which was now covered in Saliva… didn't seem to bother Bumi though. He just wiped his hand in his royal robe.
"Bumi." Aang smiled as he shook his head. "I brought someone for you to meet." he gestured at Kuei who was smiles.
"An absolute pleasure!" Kuei beamed as he grabbed Bumis hand. "How good it is to meet you!"
Zuko blinked. "That was a good introduction?" he asked.
"He likes Bosco!" Kuei beamed. "So he must be a good person!"
Zuko looked kind of deadpan. "Flawless logic as always your majesty." he said sarcastically.
"YES IT IS!" Bumi beamed spreading out his arms. "So who's this dweeb?" he asked as he pointed at Kuei and Zuko face palmed himself.
"Heh. Bumi." Aang smiled a little embarrassed. "I want you to meet. King Kuei. 52 King of the earth kingdom."
"Not much of a king now." Kuei said. "But I know that it will be my duty to step up ones more. It is about time we met. King Bumi." he bowed.
"Hmmmm." King Bumi commented as he leaned over his face inches away from Kueis. "King Kuei you say…. I used to meet with your parents you know. Ones a year."
"Really?" Kuei asked.
"Yes. And even your grand parents. But each and every time I have requested audience with you my request has been pending for years and years!" Bumi stated.
"Oh…" Kuei realized. "I… I'm sorry." he swallowed. "I didn't know. I know that's no excuse… It really isn't. I neglected my duty in so many ways… I want to do better. I need to do better. I want to learn." he dropped his head. "Please."
Bumi turned to Aang.
"It's not entirely his fault." Aang said. "Do you know how old Kuei was when he took the throne."
At that Bumis eyes softened. "Yes… Just four years old." he straightened up and took a step back. "But he has not been four years for a long time has he?" he asked.
"Kueis care taker ran a shadow cabinet." Zuko continued. "Long Feng. Leader of the Dai Li, the secret police. Sheltered Kuei and kept him away from everything while he ran the city. Long Feng is the one who kept any and all outside influences a long way away from Kuei. To keep up the illusion that the world was at peace. How-ever since Long Fengs plot was discovered Kuei worked so hard to do better! And be the king his people deserved!" he said. "He was doing good! And worked so hard. I know, I was there. I saw! That is until the fire nation took the city and we all had to flee."
"It's the truth." Aang insisted.
"Hmmm." Bumi tilted his head. "King Kuei. You are aware that Omashu and the lands around it always had sovereignty within the earth kingdom do you not?" he asked. "We are not just a city. We are the kingdom of Omashu. And I expect that to stay true after the war ends."
"Yes of course!" Kuei said. "I read many books of Omashu and its legends. It is a holy land for earth benders and have a long tradition of spiritual freedom unlike the rest of the earth kingdom. I wouldn't dream of changing the borders."
"Give me your word." Bumi asked. "It happened in the past. Swear to me it will not happen in your reign."
"I… I give my word." Kuei said.
"Do you swear it?" Bumi asked.
"I swear." Kuei replied.
"Pinky promise?" Bumi held up his hand showing his pinky finger.
"What?" Kuei looked down.
"Psst." Aang whispered. "Hook your own pinky to his and shake."
"Oh." Kuei realized and then finally did as instructed. Finally they made a pinky shade and let go. Then Bumi grinned.
"FANTASTIC! Now on to business!" Bumi grinned as he clasped his hands together. "Please! Offer his majesty a suite! I know the nice one, with the pink walls." he said. "And make sure there's a bed for Bosco too! He's our most important guest currently."
Kuei blinked then he smiled. "Thank you King Bumi. I wont forgive your kindness." he said as he bowed.
"Oh it is in Omashus best interest to be on good terms with the earth king." Bumi laughed as he waved at Kuei. "I wasn't joking when I said there are many times in history that the earth kingdom has tried to take Omashu back and absorb it into itself." he rolled his eyes. "But it is important to remember! Like the north pole and south pole whom are not one nation but sisters! So are our Kingdoms." he said.
Kuei nodded seriously. "I will remember that. Thank you King Bumi."
"Now the servant will take you to your room." Bumi said. "We'll talk later ones you have settled in. "
"Thank you again." Kuei bowed before following a servant out followed by Aang and Zuko.
"Well that went well." Aang grinned.
"I was a little scared before I got to meet him." Kuei admitted. "But I rather like this man." he smiled. "It sure is a different way to govern a kingdom." he blinked. "I have much to learn don't I?" he asked.
"You're not the only one." Zuko sighed. "I can't really figure that guy out either." he said.
"I knew Bumi when he was twelve and now when he's 112." Aang smirked. "He's a mad genius. It's the best I can give you."
"So… He was the same when he was twelve?" Zuko asked.
"Yup. A hundred years and he hasn't really changed." Aang smirked.
"Huh." Zuko blinked.