Summary: There are stories of the Great Dragon of the West. Of how he killed the Last Dragon. Then there are stories of the Badgermole of the East. He who has fought against Sozin, against, Azulon, against Iroh, and against Ozai. Against a Dynasty. Before he was King, Ba Sing Se was the jewel of the Earth Kingdom. But, during his reign Omashu has flourished. People no longer look for consider Ba Sing Se the Capital of the Earth Kingdom. When people talk about the Earth Kingdom, they talk about King Bumi, and Omashu. Bumi-Si.
I don't own ATLA.
Badgermole of the East
Year- 99AG, Location- Hill outside Omashu
Aang felt so alone. He was the last nomad. The last air bender and he lost 100 years of his life. He acted fine in front of Sokka and Katara but seeing what his home was like now. It hit him hard, and he was still grieving, finding out that the friends that he played with two weeks ago, are now dead, or hundreds of years old. It was a huge shock. He was trying to distance himself from all this pain by showing Sokka and Katara his favorite spots. They had just recently left Kyoshi Island, and Aang wanted to show them the home of his best friend, Bumi. When Aang crested the hill outside Omashu, he was reminded of the reach of the War that he had missed. Omashu's walls were much higher than they were before, with multiple earth benders handling the walls. There was a long line of refugees waiting to be cleared to enter the city. From the looks of it, Omashu was expanding its walls. Instead of the usual Earth Kingdom symbol, a Pai Sho tile meaning "Rock," there was a Badgermole.
The Gaang heard stories when they were on Kyoshi Island about the Badgermole of the East. The Reigning King of Omashu for almost a century. The only one who can take on the Dragon of the West and have a chance of winning. Though Aang has not heard anything about Dragons, so he did not know what that even meant. During their stay on Kyoshi, Aang heard about the most significant change in the Earth Kingdom since the War started. It was the official secession of Omashu from the Earth Kingdom. With the War going on, the Earth Kingdom could not stop Omashu so that Omashu could leave with little issue. Aang was told that the King of Omashu rules from Gao Ling to Omashu to the coast on the west, and that is the only area that is Fire Nation free in the whole Earth Kingdom. Aang heard rumors that the King knew many different forms of earth bending. He was hoping to have this Badgermole of the East as his earth bending teacher.
Sokka was nervous about going into Omashu. His father, Hakoda, raised him on stories of the Badgermole. The man who has stood up against three generations of Firelord's and still stands victorious. The man who ended the Siege of Ba Sing Se made the Dragon of the West bow. The King of Omashu ransomed back a Fire Nation Prince and saved Ba Sing Se from the 600-day siege within a week. The Badgermole was a Legend amongst men, and Sokka was going to be able to meet him! Sokka knew that traveling with the Avatar was excellent, too, but Sokka did not grow up with Avatar's stories. He grew up with the Badgermole. Sokka knew that the Badgermole was considered a military genius, so any tips he could get from the legend would listen. A man who can stop the Fire Nation from putting any outposts in his territory is a man that Sokka wants to listen to. Sokka knew that when the Badgermole learned of the Southern Water Tribe Raids, it was Omashu that would raid Fire Nation Ships. Omashu sent their people back home, and it was Omashu that saved their mother, saved Hama, and so many other water benders from his tribe. When Sokka crested the hill that the Gaang was on, he laid his eyes on the legendary gates of Omashu. Sokka heard tales, that when the King was still a prince and heard about the Genocide of the air nomads, the Badgermole raised the gates all on his own in his grief. That was the start of The Legendary Badgermole, a military Genius, a dedicated ruler, and a fantastic bender.
Katara was excited to go to Omashu. It was said that when the Badgermole was younger, he went through all four nations and learned every bending set. Katara was excited to learn from the man whom all her masters talked about back home. Katara heard stories from Hama about the noble Badgermole who personally rescued so many of her people. Katara knew that the Badgermole was not able to save everyone, but he gave Katara her mother back. Katara knew that the Badgermole was the Earth Bender that all earth benders strived to be. Just like the Dragon of the West was the Fire Bender of fire benders. It was said that the Badgermole was able to bend Lava! When he did it, it was said that he used some water bending forms! Katara could not wait to ask the Legendary figure. When she crested the hill and saw the walls of Omashu, she could not help but empathize with the people waiting to get inside. To lose everything is a horrible feeling, and for a few months, Katara knew what that was like. She still remembers the haplessness she felt when the Fire Nation came, and the relief that she felt when she saw her mother come home under a Badgermole Flag. When her father went off to fight, initially, he was going to join the Earth Kingdom, but when the Badgermole brought home, her mother, Hakoda, decided to sail under the Flag of the Badgermole. Many of the benders that the King saved went off to fight for him, Hama was even able to fight alongside the Badgermole for a time. Before she returned home to the Southern Water Tribe. Katara heard stories of their battles together, and how Hama still thought of her time with the King fondly.
"The City of Omashu! I always used to come here to visit my friend Bumi, but it looked a lot different back then." Aang announced with his arms raised, gesturing towards the gated city.
"Oh, wow! We only have one city like this in the South Pole!" Katara was shocked to see walls so thick.
"Forget the city. They have buildings that do not melt!" Sokka was just happy to have the chance to meet his idol.
"Let's go slow, pokes! The real fun is inside the slowpokes!" Aang said.
"Aang, this might be one of the safest places in the Earth Kingdom, but maybe you should have a disguise," Sokka recommended.
"What do you guys want me to do? Grow a mustache?" asked Aang.
Many hours later, after waiting in line, Bonzu Pippinpaddleopsicopolis, the Third, and his grandchildren were approaching the gates to Omashu.
"You guys are going to love Omashu! The people here are some of the friendliest in the world!" Aang said.
"...Cabbages? Go on ahead. The King has decreed that a percentage of your cabbages must be sent to our borders, so they can help provide food for the war effort." Said one of the Gate Guards.
"Yes, sir! I got the notice at my farm from the local garrison. Here is a crate of some of my finest cabbages to be sent to the coastal Garrisons."
"Good! Carry on good sir and thank you for supporting the Kingdom of Omashu." Said the head guard with a smile and waved the cabbage farmer through, after taking one crate.
"See! The nicest people I swear!" Aang spoke excitedly.
Now that the Gaang was closer to the gate, they saw that the Gates of Omashu was manned with benders and non-benders, just a few years older than Sokka.
However, once the guards laid eyes on the Gaang, each of the guards got very angry.
The benders in the guards started bending rocks and boulders over the Gaang, and the non-benders leveled their spears and arrows.
"Halt, old-timer! Do you have any idea what you are wearing right now? Are you Fire Nation? Do you find it funny to wear the robes of a dead nation? Is that a trophy of your father's old-timer? Did you murder the air nomad wearing that?" questioned the lead guard, and with each question, the anger in his tone increased.
Aang was surprised. Everywhere they have gone so far, no one has recognized the robes of the air nomads. These guards, who were only a few years older than Sokka, recognized the significance of the robes and questioned how he came by them.
Aang couldn't help but ask this question in a hushed voice," Do… do Fire Nation Soldiers do that? Do their descendants keep the artifacts of my people as trophies?"
It was at that question that all the guard's eyes widen, they were not dealing with a soldier displaying their trophies. They were dealing with one of the few survivors of the Air Nomad Genocide.
The head guard quickly turned to his second in command, "Quickly run to the King, and tell him that we have a survivor! He will know what to do!" With that, the lieutenant quickly started to earth bend his way into the city, to the Palace, and his King.
While this was going on, the Gaang could only watch in confusion as the guards quickly lowered hostilities and made a protective circle around the group.
"Master Airbender, where you followed? We need to know how long you have been running from the Fire Nation. How have you avoided detection for so long? Do you know of other Nomad locations?"
Aang was in shock. It sounded like there were others. Like he was not the last of his people. He was in so much surprise that it was Sokka who ended up answering the guard's question.
"We've been chased by the Fire Nation for a few weeks now. My 'grandfather' has avoided detection by hiding in the Southern Water Tribe. He avoided detection by leaving the village whenever the Fire Nation came by and hiding in the glaciers surrounding our village. And he does not know the location of other Nomads."
While Sokka was answering the guard's questions, the Gaang was being led to the Palace swiftly, and by the time Sokka was finishing answering the questions, they were approaching the Palace Gates.
When the group got to the Palace gates, they were opened quickly, and standing in the pavilion waiting for them was an old man. He looked to be in his late 60's, he had greying hair, a grey goatee, and wore a traditional Earth Kingdom robe, but with a Badgermole on his chest in gold. On his head was a thin gold circlet. Once the entire group entered the courtyard, the guards that led the Gaang into the city, swiftly bowed, and the Gaang followed swiftly afterward.
"My King, here is the old Air Nomad, and his young grandchildren." Said the Captain of the guards.
"Thank you, Captain Lee. I can take it from here. Please get back to your post at the front gate." Replied the Legendary figure.
Once the courtyard was bright, the Gaang was on one side, shuffling nervously, and on the other side was a calm Badgermole.
"Please, Nomad, follow me. I wish to show you something." With that, the King turned towards one of the walls surrounding the pavilion without looking to see if the Gaang follows. Once the group gets to the wall, the King bends a platform to the top of the gates. Once up, the group is greeted to one of the most beautiful sites they would ever see. They looked down from the Palace Walls to see Omashu at Sunset. Indeed, the picture of seeing the city from atop the middle mountain at sunset was stunning. The Gaang was startled out of their musings, by the Badgermole himself.
"Tell me, Nomad, what am I to expect, when I hear tales of the Avatar returning, from Kyoshi Island no less, and not a few days later, an old air nomad comes to my Kingdom with his' family'? When I hear tales of them riding a flying Bison and accompanied by a flying lemur?" asked the King of Omashu while facing his city.
Aang, knowing that the jig was up, quickly air bent Appa's fur off his head and pocketed the rope holding it together. Momo jumped off Aang's head and sat on his shoulder.
"Haha, you got me! I am the Avatar. My name is-"The King held up his hand, cutting Aang off, and finally turned to look at the Gaang properly.
"I know who you are, Avatar Aang, for who else would wait 100 years for their friend, but a MAD GENIUS! HAHA!" Bumi, laughed like a pig, and Aang quickly releasing who it was in front of him, ran and hugged his old friend while having tears in his eyes.
"It is good to see you again, my friend." "You too, Bumi!"
After a few moments, Sokka coughed into his hand, getting the two reunited friends' attention.
"Excuse me, Mr. Badgermole, sir, but we wonder if we could stay a few days here before heading on towards the North Pole."
"Certainly! Anything for my friends and any friend of Aang is a friend of mine. My servants will escort you two to your rooms. I have to talk with my dear friend." Saying that Two servants waiting in the Guard tower nearby quickly came and led Sokka and Katara away.
"Bumi, are there other Air Nomads? The Guards made it sound like there were more, are there? Can I meet them?" Aang asked with an air of excitement. Bumi, on the other hand, closed his eyes and had a look of pain cross his face.
"You have to understand Aang, a century ago, I was a 12-year-old Prince who was trying to get my father to listen to me about helping the Air Nomads. When I heard the news of you disappearing from Gyatso, I tried to convince my father that something was wrong. He did not believe me; I mean, who would believe a mad 12-year-old who was screaming that something bad was going to happen with no evidence? Instead, I wrote to the Air temples offering for them to come to Omashu for an enlightening experience. Gyatso got five boys to come with their Bison and Lemurs from the Southern temple, and the Eastern Temple only sent three girls and their Bison. Both groups were led by a master each. The Western and Northern temple ever responded, either due to the War or they never received the message. During the group's stay at Omashu, news reached us of the Genocide. No one could believe in the madness that we were hearing. The Genocide of an entire Nation sounded propositus to everyone. The Master not believing in the news went to leave with their students, but I convinced them to let them stay. I told them that it was better to be safe than sorry, so the students stayed. The Master left and never came back. After that, the War officially started with the invasion of the Earth Kingdom. A few months into the War, news reached us of more survivors gathering in the mountains of the Earth Kingdom. One boy from the Southern temple left, even after me warning him not to go. He left and never came back. A week later, news reached Omashu of Sozin, tricking the survivors of the first Genocide into meeting other "survivors." Sozin slaughtered all that came. In the end, the only remnants of the Air Nation that I knew were still alive were four boys. Three girls, seven Bison, and four Lemurs. None of the children were masters, so I told them that even if they became masters, they are to never put on the full set. It was later decreed by my father, at my urging, that all air benders were to only get tattoos on their hands and feet. We did not want the Fire Nation to learn of the refugees that we had, but we also did not want to deny them their heritage, so we reached a compromise. A full two years, when I was 14, after the start of the War, I took a contingent guard and the boys from the Southern Air Temple. When we got there, we came upon a slaughter. We buried the Nomads in their customs and sent the Fire Nation bodies into the surrounding ocean, the farthest we could put them from their Agni."
Aang was crying, hearing the story about how his Nation was destroyed. It was one thing to see it with his own eyes, but to have a firsthand account of how his people were wiped out was painful.
"You are responsible for the graves that we found at the Southern Temple. You buried Gyatso?"
"Yes, I buried him where I found him, defending other air nomads—being their guardian and Protector in life, and in death. The air nomads and I personally inscribed each tombstone by hand. After that, I journeyed with the female air nomads to the Eastern Air Temple to a similar scene." Bumi takes a shuddering breath. "It was one of the most gruesome scenes that I have ever seen Aang, and I have been a soldier and leader of men for almost a century. After that, I joined up with the Earth Kingdom Army. Two years of service, I had to come back to Omashu at 16, because my father had died in the fighting, and I was to be King. I would defend my land for almost a decade with little to no word from Ba Sing Se. When I was 26, I journeyed to the Capital of the Earth Kingdom to talk to the Earth King. I was given a mansion in the innermost circle and told the King would see me in a few weeks. I was guided through the city by a Joo Dee, and when I asked about the War, she told me that there was no war in Ba Sing Se. After that, I left later that same day in a rage I have rarely felt. Once I returned to the seat of my power, I officially succeeded from the Earth Kingdom. That same year, I allowed the Air Nomads in my city to open a school to educate my people. The school teaches my people how to read. It also teaches my people the history of Omashu and the Air Nomads. You will not find a Nation better informed about your culture than you will here. Enough Storytime for now. I will guide you to your room, and then we can tour the school tomorrow, ok?"
Aang just feeling emotionally drained could only nod and wipe the tears from his face. With that, Bumi led his long-lost friend, off the walls, and into the Palace.
Done. To see what I picture what Bumi looks like, google atla King Bumi Aging by JTD95. It will be the fourth rendition right before cannon-Bumi. More will be explained about what Si-Bumi has changed, and the history of this new world. Let me know what you think.