AN: Chapter 35 takes place during Season 2 Episode 14: City of Walls and Secrets, enjoy my lovelies!
Katara sighed and rubbed tiredly at her sore shoulder as she stared quietly at the floor of the train she, her brother, Aang, and Toph had gotten on only a short while ago. Aang was slumped on the seat beside her, his staff gripped loosely in his hands while Toph and Sokka sat one the seat across from her and him, Momo resting peacefully in Toph's lap. Katara turned her head and she instantly perked up.
"Look, the Inner Wall!" She exclaimed excitedly as she touched Aang's shoulder to get his attention then she, Aang, and Sokka turned to look at the approaching wall, "I can't believe we finally made it to Ba Sing Se in one piece."
"Hey, don't jinx it!" Sokka yelped slightly as he gave his sister a chiding look and he leaned back against his seat, "We can still be attacked by some giant exploding Fire Nation spoon. Or find out the city's been submerged in an ocean full of killer shrimp."
"You been hitting the cactus juice again?" Toph asked in a slightly annoyed joking tone as she stroked Momo's ears.
"I'm just sayin'," Sokka replied nonchalantly with a shrug, "Weird stuff happens to us."
A large man sucking on a piece of corn suddenly ambled down the aisle between seats and he plopped down between Toph and Sokka, startling them both. The two teens cringed slightly away from the man, Toph with a freaked-out expression while Sokka was giving his sister an 'I-told-you-so' look. Katara just rolled her eyes at her brother then she turned to look at Aang, who was leaning sadly against the back of his seat as he stared out the window at the approaching wall.
Aang sighed and closed his eyes sadly, missing the sympathetic look Katara was giving him.
"Don't worry, Aang," She said in a soft reassuring tone, "We'll find Appa and Xia."
The young Airbender looked at her doubtfully, "It's such a big city."
"Xia we might have a hard time finding, but Appa's a giant bison!" Sokka quipped loudly as he walked over to the two, gesturing with his arms, "Where could someone possibly hide him?"
The monorail suddenly entered the Inner Wall and the three teens stared out the window in shock as it exited again, revealing the large, sprawling city.
Sokka's eyes widened in shock, "Oh…"
The city of Ba Sing Se stretched almost as far as their eyes could see, and it was full of what looked like hundreds of roads and buildings. The three continued to stare at the sprawling city until the monorail entered the station and pulled to a stop.
Toph sighed as the group disembarked.
"Back in the city." She drawled sarcastically, "Great…"
"What's the problem?" Sokka asked in confusion and he gestured towards the sprawling city outside the monorail station, "It's amazing."
"It's just a bunch of walls and rules." Toph scoffed and she rolled her blind eyes as Momo perched on her shoulder, "You wait, you'll get sick of it in a couple of days."
In front of them, Aang stood staring out at the city. He glanced down at his palm where the bison-whistle was nestled in his palm. Closing his eyes, Aang brought the whistle to his lips and blew shortly.
"I'm comin' for ya, buddy." The young Airbender said determinedly as Katara approached him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
Aang glanced at her and his tone became more confident, "He's here. He and Xia, I can feel it."
Katara smiled at him encouragingly in reply. Behind the group the monorail departed and the teens turned, catching sight of a woman smiling widely at them from across the tracks, her long, dark hair billowing gently in the breeze the departing monorail created. Sokka, Katara, Aang, and Toph watched as the strange woman approached them, her smile seeming to be permanently stretched across her face.
"Hello, my name is Joo Dee!" The woman greeted them exuberantly without losing her smile, "I have been given the great honor of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se. And you must Sokka, Katara, and Toph! Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?"
Toph felt her eyebrow twitch as the woman spoke, but she remained silent as she sensed Sokka taking a step forward.
"Yes." Sokka said quickly as he clutched his satchel protectively to him, "We have information about the Fire Nation army that we need to deliver to the Earth King, immediately."
"Great! Let's begin our tour. And then I'll show you to your new home here. I think you'll like it!" Joo Dee exclaimed, seemingly ignoring what Sokka had just said then she turned and began walking away.
"Ugh!" Sokka groaned in annoyance and he stomped after the strange, smiling woman, "Maybe you missed what I said. We need to talk to the king about the War, it's important."
"You're in Ba Sing Se now." The woman replied blankly with a smile, "Everyone is safe here."
The four teens stared at the woman in confused shock as she continued smiling at them.
"This is the Lower Ring." Joo Dee stated cheerfully as she gestured out the window of the ostrich-horse drawn carriage she and the four teens were riding in.
"What's that wall for?" Katara asked curiously as she looked at the wall then at Joo Dee.
"Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls!" Joo Dee explained airily, "There are the ones outside protecting us, and the ones inside, that help maintain order."
Sokka, Katara, and Aang looked out the windows and stared at the raggedly dressed refugees the cart was driving past while Toph stared blankly in front of her.
"This is where our newest arrivals live," Joo Dee continued easily, "As well as our craftsman and artisans, people that work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively!"
The carriage past two shady looking men conversing in an alley, the light shining off a large sword one of the men was carrying. The men stopped talking and glared at the passing carriage.
"You do want to watch your step, though." Joo Dee remarked in a nervous tone, her smile only faltering slightly.
Katara looked nervously at the men as the carriage passed them completely then she looked off to the side suspiciously.
"Why do they have all these poor people blocked off in one part of the city?" The Waterbender asked suspiciously.
"This is why Xia and I never came here before." Aang stated in an upset and somewhat bored tone as he stared out the window on his side of the carriage, "We always heard it was so different from the way the monks taught us how to live."
Xiaodan skipped happily beside Zuko as they walked down the slightly busy street of the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, ignoring his bad mood as she hummed lightly. Iroh suddenly appeared one his nephew's other side with a large vase filled with several orange flowers in his hand. Xiaodan gave the flowers a curious look, her orange-eyed gaze flickering to Iroh in silent question. Zuko glanced at the flower vase then at his uncle, giving both a cold, hard stare.
"I just want our place to look nice, in case someone brings home a lady friend!" Iroh said and he playfully nudged Zuko with his elbow then he gave Xiaodan a sly smile, "Or a gentleman friend!"
The white-haired girl giggled quietly and she ducked her head slightly, using her long hair to hide the blush beginning to stain her cheeks.
"Iroh!" She chided lightly with another giggle, holding her hand up to her mouth.
"This city is a prison." Zuko mumbled bleakly with a scowl, "I don't want to make a life here."
Xiaodan frowned slightly at him, her eyes slightly sad at his words.
"Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not." Iroh replied in his calm, wise voice, "Now come on, I found us some new jobs, and we start this afternoon!"
The female Airbender laughed and she skipped happily alongside the two men as Iroh led her and Zuko down the street.
Jet stepped out of the alley he had been standing in, his dark brown eyes narrowing angrily on the trio's retreating backs.
"Look at them," He growled with a huff, "Firebenders living right under everyone's noses."
Longshot and Smellerbee stepped out of the alley and stood beside their friend, with skeptical looks on their faces.
"Jet, you saw a man with a hot cup of tea." Smellerbee said in slight exasperation, "It doesn't prove he's a Firebender. And what if he is, are we supposed to attack them? I thought we were starting over here, changing our ways."
"We are." Jet replied firmly, "When I get the evidence I need, I'll report them to the police and let them handle it. Okay?"
Smellerbee and Longshot exchanged looks behind Jet's back while he continued to glare in the direction the trio had gone in.
"This is the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se," Joo Dee stated brightly as the carriage trundled down a street with nicer houses than the previous ring, "Home to the financial district, shops, and restaurants, and the university."
Katara listened attentively while Sokka and Aang stared boredly out their windows with Toph staring blankly in front of her, not really listening to what the strange woman was saying.
"Yeah, we met a professor from the Ba Sing Se University." Sokka commented offhandedly then his tone steadily became more impatient as he continued, "He took us to an ancient underground library where we discovered information about the war that is absolutely crucial for the Earth King to hear!"
Joo Dee merely smiled and spoke excitedly, "Isn't history fascinating? Look, here's one of the oldest towns in the middle ring, Town Hall!"
The carriage stopped and the smiling woman exited. Sokka glared at her retreating back in annoyance.
"Is that woman deaf?" He demanded with a huff, "She only seems to hear every other word I say!"
"It's called 'being handled.' Get used to it." Toph stated drily as she crossed her arms and she lowered her head slightly.
Sokka groaned quietly while Aang and Katara gave him sympathetic looks.
Jet leaned casually against the wall of a shop in the Lower Ring with his piece of wheat hanging from his mouth. He watched a few people walking along the street then he nonchalantly peered through one of the open windows he was leaning again, his dark eyes narrowing in on the two men and the white-haired girl he'd been following.
"Well, you certainly look like official tea servers." Pao, the owner of the small tea shop that Iroh had gotten the three of them jobs at said as he looked at the trio in their aprons, "How do you feel?"
Xiaodan put a hand over her mouth to hide her smile as she watched Iroh struggle to tie his apron out of the corner of her eye.
"Ridiculous." Zuko growled lowly in annoyance and Xiaodan nudged him gently with her elbow.
"Be nice." The white-haired girl whispered then she smiled at Pao sweetly, "Fine, thank you."
"Uh," Iroh grunted as he continued struggling with the string, "Does this possibly come in a larger size?"
"I have extra string in the back." Pao replied lightly, "Have some tea while you wait!"
He poured some tea into three cups and he handed them to Xiaodan, Iroh, and Zuko then he headed towards the back of the shop. Zuko stared at the teacup in his hand in annoyance while Iroh and Xiaodan took a small sip of their own tea. Xiaodan made a disgusted face and put the cup on the counter, covered her mouth as she coughed.
"Blech!" Iroh muttered in repulsion and he looked down at the teacup with disgusted face, "This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!"
Zuko gave his uncle a flat look, "Uncle that's what all tea is."
Xiaodan gaped at him in shock, unbelieving that he had just said that in front of his uncle.
"How could a member of my own family say something so horrible?!" Iroh demanded angrily as he gave his nephew a stern look, "We'll have to make some changes are here, Xia."
"I agree." Xiaodan said with a sniff and she handed Iroh the teapot, ignoring the way Zuko rolled his eyes at her and his uncle.
The old man took the teapot from her and ambled over towards the window at the front of the shop to dump the tea out before the Pao returned.
Jet sucked in a quiet gasp and he moved away from the window quickly just as the old man dumped the tea out the window. The dark-haired teen narrowed his eyes and slowly stalked around the corner of the shop, disappearing into the alley as his thoughts raced with how to get proof that those men were Firebenders.
"Maybe the girl knows something?" Jet muttered to himself thoughtful then his eyes narrowed further, "Or maybe she doesn't and they're keeping her hostage. I have to find a way to talk to her."
"The Upper Ring is home to our most important citizens." Joo Dee remarked as the carriage rolled through the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, "Your house is not too far from here!"
Katara furrowed her brows slightly when the carriage passed by another wall with a tall gate and behind it Katara could see the roof of an enormous building.
"What's inside that wall?" The dark-haired Waterbender asked curiously and she stared at the men wearing dark robes and wide-brimmed hats standing outside the gateway.
"And who're the mean looking guys in robes?" Sokka added with a frown as he watched the men's eyes follow the carriage with cold eyes.
"Inside is the Royal Palace." Joo Dee explained breezily, "Those men are agents of the Dai Li, the cultural authority of Ba Sing Se. They are guardians of all our traditions!"
Aang stared at her with annoyed and bored expression as he demanded, "Can we see the king now?"
"Oh, no," Joo Dee replied hurriedly, still smiling widely, "One doesn't just pop in on the Earth King!"
Aang sighed and hung his head slowly. The carriage pulled to a stop in front of a small house and the young Airbender caught sight of Momo landing on the roof of the small house.
"Here we are!" Joo Dee exclaimed happily, "Your new home!"
She stepped out of the carriage gracefully, the four teens following her a moment later. She stood at the bottom of the stairs while Sokka, Aang, Katara, and Toph walked up them and stood near the top. A messenger suddenly ran up to Joo Dee and bowed, holding a scroll up to her. The strange woman took the scroll and unrolled, reading it quickly.
"More good news!" The woman exclaimed as she rolled the scroll up again and looked at the group of teens, "Your request for an audience with the Earth King is being processed, and should be put through in about a month. Much more quickly than usual!"
Sokka, Katara, and Aang stared at her in shock and disbelief while Toph's expression morphed into distaste.
"A month?" Sokka asked in disbelief.
Joo Dee smiled widely at them, "Six to eight weeks, actually."
She walked up the stairs and past the stunned teens, heading into the house. The group exchanged looks then they followed after the strange woman. Katara and Toph sat down on the small cushioned seats near a low table while Sokka stood to their left and Aang a few feet away to their right.
"Isn't it nice?" Joo Dee asked as she stood in front of the two girls, "I think you'll really enjoy it here."
"I think we would enjoy it more if we weren't staying for so long." Sokka snarked in frustration as he stared through narrowed eyes at the smiling woman, "Can't we see the Earth King any sooner?"
"The Earth King is very busy running the finest city in the world." Joo Dee stated brightly and Sokka gave her an annoyed look, "But he will see you as soon as time permits."
Aang turned to look out the window with a determined expression, "If we're going to be here for a month, we should spend our time looking for Appa, and Xia too."
Momo perked up at the two familiar names and he chittered excitedly from his spot on the table near Aang.
"I'll be happy to escort you anywhere you'd like to go." Joo Dee stated as she bowed to Aang.
"We don't need a babysitter." Toph snapped in aggravation from beside Katara then she stood and walked towards the door.
"Oh, I won't get in the way." Joo Dee said quickly and she stepped forward, blocking the bling girl's path, "And to leave you alone would make me a bad host!"
Joo Dee smiled again and she peered at the other three teens around Toph, "Where shall we start?"
Toph scowled and turned around in annoyance, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"I'm sorry," The owner of the pet store Aang and his friends had entered said with a frown, "But I haven't heard anything about a flying bison. I didn't even know there were any."
Aang leaned forward slightly, "If someone wanted to sell a stole animal without anyone knowing, where would they go?"
"Where's the black market? Who runs it?" Sokka demanded in frustration as he came to stand beside Aang and he pointed accusingly at the store owner, "Come on, you know!"
"Uh…" The pet store owner stuttered nervously and he glanced behind the two teens and stared at Joo Dee, who smiled widely as she slowly shook her head.
The owner cleared his throat and said carefully, "That would be illegal. You'll have to leave now, your lemur is harassing my sparrowkeets."
The teens glanced over to where Momo was eating the bird's food while screeching and defending himself from the squawking sparrowkeets that were flapping around him. Aang sighed quietly and walked out of the store with his friends after he grabbed Momo.
"Hmm…" The university student mused thoughtfully as he looked up at Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph, "I've never seen any Sandbenders or nomads around here. You should ask Professor Zei, he teaches the class on desert cultures."
"Right." Sokka replied sarcastically in an annoyed turn, "And which of your professors could we ask about the war with the Fire Nation?"
"Uh…" the student stuttered nervously and he pushed his glasses up his nose, glancing at Joo Dee standing behind the four teens, shaking her head slowly.
Sokka's eyes narrowed when he got the woman's movements and he turned around to stare at her but she stopped before he could get a good look.
"I don't know." The university student said quickly as he began gathering up his scrolls, "I'm not a political science student…I've got to get to class."
Sokka, Katara, Aang, and Toph watched as the student hurried away from them, tripping and dropping his scrolls after only taking a few steps. He quickly picked them up and rushed way with his shoulders hunched slightly. Joo Dee smiled widely and waved to his retreating back.
Aang hung his head as he and his friends stood on the steps that led to their temporary home in Ba Sing Se while Joo Dee remained in the carriage.
"Well, I'm sorry no one has seen your bison." The smiling woman apologized falsely from the window, "Why don't you get some rest? Someone will be over with dinner, later."
The carriage drove off and the group turned to head into the house when Sokka noticed a man in the house across the street, peeking at them through a window. When the man noticed Sokka looking at him, he quickly receded back into the house and closed the window.
"Hey," Sokka called out softly to his sister and friends and he gestured towards the house, "Follow me."
Katara, Aang, and Toph exchanged glances then they followed Sokka across the street towards the house. Sokka knocked lightly on the front door and stepped back. A moment later the man from before opened the door, smiling falsely at them as he looked around nervously.
"You're the Avatar!" The man exclaimed lightly, "I heard you were in town. I'm Pong."
Aang smiled cordially at the man, "Nice to meet you, Pong."
"So, Pong, what's goin' on with this city?" Sokka asked casually, "Why is everyone here so scared here to talk about the war?"
Pong's eyes started shifting from side-to-side nervously, "War? Scared? What do you mean?"
"I can feel you shaking." Toph commented in a flat, annoyed tone.
"Look, I'm just a minor government official." Pong said hurriedly as he looked around to make sure no one was around, "I've waited three years to get this house. I don't want to get into trouble."
"Get in trouble with who?!" Katara asked in trepidation.
"Shh!" Pong whispered as he put his finger against his mouth, "Listen, you can't mention the War here. And whatever you do, stay away from the Dai Li."
He closed the door quickly after he finished speaking and the four teens exchanged confused looks then they went back to their own house.
Jet perched on a shadow balcony and spied on the old man and two teenagers in the small apartment across the street, a clothesline keeping him hiding from view.
"Would either of you like a pot of tea?" The old man asked kindly.
Jet heard the white-haired girl's laughter and she suddenly appeared beside the old man, pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek.
"I'd take some tea, please." She said and the old man nodded at her with a smile then she disappeared from Jet's line of sight.
"We've been working in a tea shop all day!" the teen Jet knew as Lee snapped in annoyance as he laid on the futon in the living room, "I'm sick of tea!"
"Sick of tea? That's like being sick of breathing!" The old man squawked indignantly at the young man as he rummaged through the cupboard beneath the counter he was standing in front of, "Have you seen the spark rocks to heat up the water?"
Jet smirked and watched the man straighten up, a confused look on his lined face.
"They're not there." Jet whispered smugly to himself and he glanced down at the emerald-colored spark rocks in his hands, "You'll have to Firebend, old man."
He watched as Iroh disappeared from his line of sight and his eyes narrowed.
"Where're you going?" He muttered to himself and his eyes narrowed further when the old man reappeared.
"I borrowed our neighbors'." He heard the old man say pleasantly, "Such kind people."
Jet sucked in an irate breath as the old man struck the rocks together near the pile of twigs below the teapot, creating a flame. The young man scowled as he ducked behind the clothesline and left the balcony.
Xiaodan pushed Zuko's feet off the futon in the small living room of the apartment she shared with the grouchy prince and his uncle. He scowled at her and the white-haired girl smiled cheekily as she sat down in the space his feet had been occupying. Iroh hummed quietly as he walked over and handed the female Airbender a cup of tea then he sat down headed into the small bedroom he shared with his nephew with his own cup.
It had been decided that Zuko and Iroh would share the single bedroom in the apartment and Xiaodan would take the surprisingly comfortable futon that was in the living room. Xiaodan sighed contentedly as she leaned took a sip of the tea while she leaned back against the wall the futon was pressed up against.
She and Zuko sat in companionable silence, neither one feeling the need to speak as Xiaodan quietly sipped her tea while Zuko stared up at the ceiling. He would never admit it to her, but as he sat there, his thoughts strayed towards the white-haired girl sitting near his feet. And unbeknownst to him Xiaodan's thoughts were on him as well, though it didn't show on her face as she drank her tea.
Katara stepped out of the house the next morning, yawning and stretching as she listened to the birds singing in the trees. Sighing happily, the dark-haired girl grabbed the roll of papers from the mail holder attached to one of the pillars that held up the arches in front of the porch. She unrolled the paper and read quietly, gasping in excitement a moment later then she ran back inside the house where the others were lounging around the upper part of the living room.
"I got it!" Katara exclaimed as she hopped onto the raised part of the living room, "I know how we're going to see the Earth King!"
"How are we supposed to do that?" Toph asked flatly then she changed her voice to mimic Joo Dee, "'One doesn't just pop in on the Earth King!'"
Katara smiled as she read from the paper, "The king is having a party tonight for his pet bear."
"You mean, platypus-bear?" Aang asked curiously as he turned his head to look at her from his lounging position on the railing on the raised section of the living room.
"No, it just says 'bear.'"
Sokka tilted his head back and looked at his sister up-side down, "Certainly you mean his pet skunk-bear."
"Or his armadillo-bear." Toph added idly.
"Gopher-bear?" Aang asked.
"Just…bear." Katara replied with a shrug.
"This place…" Toph began flatly, "Is weird."
Katara shook her head and her excitement returned, "The palace will be packed. We can sneak in with the crowd."
Toph lied down and tucked her hands behind her head, "Won't work."
"Why not?" Katara asked in confusion and her brow furrowed.
"Well, no offense to you simply country folk, but a real society crowd will spot you a mile away." Toph replied idly without lifting her head, "You've got no manners!"
The blind girl grabbed a pastry from a nearby bowl and she took a large bite out of it. Katara gave her an affronted look.
"Excuse me?" Katara demanded in an insulted tone, "I've got now manners? You're not exactly 'lady fancy fingers!'"
Toph burped loudly, "I learned proper society behavior and chose to leave it."
She tossed her half-eaten pastry to the side and wiped her hand on the front of her shirt, "You never learned anything. And frankly, it's a little too late."
Katara made a disgusted face as Toph picked her nose then flicked the snot off her finger.
"Aha, but you learned it!" Sokka exclaimed excitedly from the other side of the room, "You could teach us."
"Yeah, I'm mastering the elements." Aang piped in with a grin, "How hard could manners be?"
The young Airbender jumped off the railing and he grabbed a nearby curtain, putting it around himself like a noble's robe.
"Good evening, Mr. Sokka Water Tribe, Ms. Katara Water Tribe, Lord Momo of the Momo Dynasty, Your Momoness." Aang said in a very sophisticated manner and he tried not to grin when Momo peeked out at him from under the carpet and bowed slightly.
Sokka smirked and stood up, another curtain wrapped around him like a robe and he began mimicking a typical high-class person.
"Avatar Aang, how do you do? Go on." He drawled as he stuck his nose in the air snootily.
Aang bowed to him and Sokka, in an attempt to outdo him, bowed back. Aang attempted to further outdo the older teen by bowing even deeper and Sokka returned his bow with an even deeper one of his own. Suddenly they both bowed at the same time and their foreheads knocked together, causing them to fall down.
Toph snorted and got to her feet then she walked over to stand in front of Katara, while Sokka's and Aang's legs stuck up in the air comically.
"Katara might be able to pull it off," She commented idly, "But you two would be lucky to pass as busboys!"
"But I feel so fancy!" Sokka protested slightly from where he and Aang were still on the ground with the curtains on top of them.
A frown appeared on his face when Toph's snot fell on his forehead.
Later than night, Sokka and Aang sat in the middle of the living room facing each other with their hands held out in front of them.
"Earth!" Aang said as he held his hand out in a fist.
"Fire!" Sokka said at the same time as he wiggled his fingers.
The Water Tribe boy grumbled in annoyance when he lost the game and Aang raised his hands in the air triumphantly then he flicked Sokka's forehead with smug grin on his face. Suddenly Katara and Toph appeared in the doorway that led to the bedrooms. Both of them were wearing makeup and exquisite Earth Kingdom dresses as they held fans up to hide their faces. The two girls stared at the two surprised boys calmly then they fell into a fit of giggles and they leaned against each other slightly.
Aang blushed brightly and he smiled dreamily at Katara, "Wow, you look beautiful."
Sokka made a face and flicked the younger boy's forehead. Katara opened her mouth to reply to Aang's compliment, but Toph abruptly placed her fan in front of the slightly older girl's mouth.
"Don't talk to the commoners, Katara." The blind girl chided firmly, "First rule of society."
Aang and Sokka watched in silence as the two girls glided past them and towards the door.
"We'll get in the party, and then find a way to let you in through the side gate." Katara said to the two boys as she paused at the open door then she and Toph left.
A gong suddenly sounded and Momo walked past Sokka and Aang, holding one of the curtains around his neck like a cape. Aang looked at Sokka with a quirked eyebrow, but the older boy just shrugged.
Jet watched suspiciously as a man walked through the door of the teashop the old man, 'Lee' and 'Xin' worked at.
"Jet, we need to talk."
"What?" Jet questioned in surprise and he turned around to look at Smellerbee and Longshot, "Oh great, it's you guys. Where have you been? I could use some help with surveillance here!"
"We've been talking," Smellerbee said carefully as she shifted slightly, "And we think you're becoming obsessed with this. It's not healthy."
"Oh really?" Jet asked his tone becoming cold as he regarded his two friends, "You both think this?"
Longshot placed his arm around Smellerbee's shoulder in a show of agreement to her statement.
"We came here to make a fresh start." The girl said, almost desperately, "But you won't let this go. Even though there is no real proof!"
"Well, maybe if you'd help me…"
"Jet," Smellerbee said quietly, "You gotta stop this."
"Maybe you've forgotten why we need to start over." The dark-eyed boy snapped angrily and the two looked down with guilty expressions as he continued, "Maybe you've forgotten about how the Fire Nation left us all homeless. How they wiped out all the people we loved. If you don't want to help me, I'll get the evidence on my own."
Longshot and Smellerbee watched in despair as their friend stalked towards the teashop.
Xiaodan skipped gracefully through the teashop, handing out cups of fresh tea or refilling customer's cups with more of Iroh's delicious tea. Iroh smiled at the white-haired girl happily as he walked over to another customer and poured him a fresh cup of tea.
"This is the best tea in the city!" The man praised Iroh happily as he took a sip of his tea.
"The secret ingredient is love." Iroh replied and he gently waved a hand through the steam coming from the teapot then he walked towards the back of the shop where the owner was, ignoring the disgusted look his young, scarred face.
Xiaodan skipped forward and deposited an empty teapot on the counter, a content smile on her tanned and tattooed face.
"I need another pot of jasmine, I-Mushi." The white-girl quickly caught herself, sending a sheepish smile at Zuko when he glared at her slightly.
Pao smiled as he turned to look at Iroh, "I think you're due for a raise."
Iroh opened his mouth to answer when the front door was suddenly slammed open, everyone turning and staring in surprise. Xiaodan's brows rose when she saw Jet standing in the doorway with an angry look on his face as he glared at Zuko and Iroh.
"I'm tired of waiting." Jet growled furiously as he stalked further into the shop and he pointed an accusing finger at Iroh and Zuko, "These two men are Firebenders and they've taken that girl hostage!"
He unsheathed his hook swords and shifted into a fighting stance. Iroh, Zuko, and Xiaodan exchanged surprised and uncertain looks, each of them unsure on what to do.
"I know they're Firebenders." Jet continued furiously, "I saw the old man heating his tea!"
"He works in a tea shop." One of the customers commented bleakly and his brows rose.
"He's Firebender!" Jet roared, "I'm telling you!"
"Drop your swords, boy." One of the customers ordered firmly as he and another man stood slowly, "Nice and easy."
Jet ignored him and he stared almost manically at Zuko.
"You'll have to defend yourself." The brown-haired teen taunted, "Then everyone will know. Go ahead, how them what you can do."
Xiaodan pursed her lips and shuffled slightly closer to Zuko as Jet slowly stalked towards the trio with his swords drawn. The customer that had ordered Jet to lower his weapons moved to draw his swords, but Zuko walked forward and grabbed them instead.
"Zuko!" The white-haired Airbender hissed worriedly as she watched the scarred prince pull the dao swords apart.
Zuko ignored her as he faced Jet, "You want a show? I'll give you a show!"
He slipped into a fighting stance, the dao swords held expertly in his hands. Xiaodan gasped quietly and covered her mouth with her hands when Zuko pulled one of the tables in front of him with his foot, then he kicked it at Jet. The other sword-wielder sliced the table in half and he jumped over the two halves. As he landed, he swung his hooked-blades at Zuko, who deflected the attack with his own blades. Zuko jumped back and onto another table, which Jet promptly sliced through the middle of it with one blade.
Zuko stepped onto one half of the table and balanced easily on one foot while Jet continued his attack by cutting the legs off that half of the table. The scarred prince quickly jumped and he swung the dao swords at Jet's feet as he landed, but the other boy somersaulted away. Jet landed in a crouch then he charged forward at Zuko again. Zuko swung both his swords at the other boy and the weapons clashed furiously.
Xiaodan and Iroh watched the two boys fight from beside the counter that divided the front of the teashop from the back. Both of them wanted to do something, but neither was sure what to do, so they stayed back and stayed near each other.
Toph and Katara stood in the long line of high-class citizens that were waiting to be admitted into the party by the guard at the door. When it was there turn, the two girls approached him gracefully.
"Invitation please." The guard requested impassively.
"I think this will do." Toph said formally as she held out the official seal of the Beifong family to the guard.
The guard barely even glanced at the seal, "No entry without an invitation. Step out of line, please."
"Look, the Pans and the Yum Soon Hans are waiting in there for us!" Toph snapped in irritation, "I'm going to have tell them who didn't let me in."
"Step out of line please." The guard repeated unyieldingly and he pointed to the side.
Katara gently took Toph's arm and the two girls move out of the way disappointedly. Katara lifted her head and noticed a man exiting a carriage. She watched as two Dai Li agents bowed to him and she smiled slightly as an idea came to her. Quietly, Katara tugged Toph towards the man.
"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but my cousin lost our invitations." Katara said innocently as she stopped in front of the man then eh dropped her voice to a whisper, "She's blind."
She raised her voice back to normal, ignoring the irritated look Toph sent her.
"Do you think you could help us? Our family's inside and I'm sure they're very worried."
The man smiled and inclined his head, "I am honored, please come with me."
He walked towards the guard at the entrance with Toph and Katara trailing after him. The guard bowed to the man as he passed him then he led the two girls into the
Inside the party at the one end of the table the king's bear, Bosco, was tearing viciously into a steak, his drool dripping off his chin.
"He's taking all the good stuff!" The older guest sitting on one side of the bear hissed at his younger companion.
"Quiet!" The young man hissed right back, "You don't know what I had to do to get seats this close to the bear!"
Bosco hit the younger guest slightly then he pounced onto the table and began tearing into a large plate of meat in front of him.
As the bear was enjoying himself, the man led Toph and Katara into the hall where the party was taking place.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" The man asked then he turned and bowed slightly to the girls, "By the way, I'm Long Feng. I'm a cultural minister to the king."
"I'm Kwa Mai and this is…Dum." Katara lied easily and Toph frowned then she yanked a string hanging from the older girl's headdress, "Ow!"
"Now where is your family?" Long Feng asked curiously, "I'd love to meet them."
"Uh…" Katara feigned looked around as she thought of a plausible lie, "I don't see them right now, but I'm sure we'll find them soon."
She smiled at him, "Thanks for all your help."
Katara and Toph turned and walked way, jumping slightly when Long Feng appeared in front of them.
"Don't worry, as your escort it would be dishonorable to abandon you ladies without finding your families first." Long Feng said calmly, "We'll keep looking."
He turned around and began leading the two girls through the party. Katara glanced at Toph nervously as they followed him.
Outside the palace, Aang and Sokka peeked around either side the pedestal of a statue of a lion.
"Where are they?" Aang questioned nervously as they looked for Katara and Toph then they ducked back behind the pedestal.
"Look, I came up with a back-up plan." Sokka said and he picked up Momo, "We dress Momo like a ghost, okay? He flies by the guards, creating a distraction. Then, we blast a hole in the wall-"
Aang stood up, cutting Sokka off, and he looked over the pedestal again, pointing at some busboys. Sokka frowned and stood up as well, peering in the direction the other boy was gesturing, his blue eyes finding the busboys that were currently unloading supplied form a carriage and taking them inside the palace.
"Or we could go in as these guys." Aang suggested lightly, "Toph said we might pass as busboys!"
"Okay." Sokka agreed with a small huff and he rolled his eyes slightly, "But remember that Momo ghost plan. I think it's a winner."
He grinned and they sunk back behind the pedestal to keep planning.
Zuko burst out through the door of the teashop and he tumbled onto the street, somersaulting back on his feet. Jet ran after him a moment later and he struck at Zuko with his hook swords. Zuko quickly deflected the strike and the two locked swords.
"You must be getting tired of using those swords." Jet taunted with a sinister grin and Zuko gave him an annoyed look, "Why don't you go ahead and Firebend at me?"
The two moved off the side and Xiaodan and Iroh stood in the door way of the teashop, watching the two with worried expressions.
"Please, son, you're confused!" Iroh called out desperately, "You don't know what you're doing!"
"This is ridiculous!" Xiaodan shouted, sounding just as desperate as Iroh as she watched Zuko and Jet fight.
The two young men ignored them. Zuko swung his blades at Jet, but he stopped the scarred teen's dao swords with the end of his hook-swords, spinning around and deflecting the blow. Zuko spun with his swords and he tried to counterattack, but Jet hooked the ends of his swords together and began to swing them at the other teen in large, circular motions. Zuko quickly retreated back several steps and held his swords up defensively.
"Bet you wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast right now." Jet said mockingly and he swung his swords at Zuko's feet but the banished prince stabbed one of his dao blade through the hilt of Jet's hooked-sword, pinning it to the ground.
Jet growled slightly and glared at the sword in annoyance then he focused back on Zuko, his dark eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You're the one who needs help." Zuko snapped angrily and the two continued fighting with their remaining swords.
Jet spun in a circle and tried to swipe at Zuko with his remained sword, but the scarred teen quickly lunched forward and swung his own sword at Jet. The shaggy haired brunette pulled his attack back just in time to bend backwards and avoid Zuko's blade, which passed over his face and sliced the straw of wheat sticking out of his mouth in half. Jet quickly regained his balance and he jumped back onto the edge of a well.
"You see that! The Fire Nation is trying to silence me!" He shouted at the gathered crowd and Zuko stared at him through narrowed gold eyes, "It'll never happen."
Jet attacked again, hooking his sword to the top of the well and sending a flying kick towards Zuko. Xiaodan and Iroh stood side-by-side, their worried gazes never leaving the two combating boys. The white-haired girl sucked in a breath and spun around, rushing back into the teashop. She ignored Iroh's shout for her as she leapt over the counter nimbly then she reached under it and grabbed her staff, which she had hidden there when she came to work, unable to leave it back at the apartment. Xiaodan quickly ran back towards the sound of Zuko's and Jet's battle.
Aang and Sokka stood back-to-back, fully dressed as busboys as they served refreshments to the guests of the party. Aang began pouring a drink while Sokka served food to the people who passed by.
"Where are Toph and Katara?" Aang asked worriedly from the corner of his mouth.
"Forget them! Just keep an eye out for the king." Sokka whispered back and his eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance as Momo's tail, which was sticking out of Aang's hat, began wagging in his face.
"I don't know what he looks like." Aang mumbled nervously as he looked around.
"You know, royal, flowing robe, fancy jewelry." Sokka muttered in reply and he grabbed Momo's tail, still wagging in his face, and he stuffed it back into Aang's hat.
Aang looked around at all of the party guests and his brows furrowed as he took in all the guests that were adorned in fancy, flowing robes and headpieces.
"That could be anyone!"
Unbeknownst to the two boys, Toph was subtly making her way over to them. She flicked her fan open and covered her face as she came up beside Aang.
"Another crab puff, please." The blind girl drawled in an overly sophisticated voice.
Sokka leaned in with his eyes closed as he held his tray out to her to hand her a crab puff, unaware it's her.
"You found us!" Aang gasped when he realized it was Toph beside him.
"I'd know your little steps anywhere, Twinkle Toes." Toph quipped in amusement.
Katara suddenly appeared beside Toph and Aang blushed when he looked at. Sokka opened his eyes and blinked when he realized who the two girls were.
"Thanks for letting us in!" He said sarcastically with an eye roll.
"Sorry," Katara apologized sheepishly, "But the guy who escorted us in won't let us out of his sight!"
"What guy?" Sokka asked in confusion, his brow quirked.
Aang, Sokka, and Katara looked around while Toph used her feet to 'see', but it didn't look as if anyone had followed the two girls. As they peered around for Long Feng, Joo Dee suddenly approached them with a worried expression on usually smiling face.
"What are you doing here?" The strange woman asked with a forced smile, "You have to leave immediately, or we'll be in terrible trouble!"
Joo Dee tried to push Sokka but he blocked her with his tray.
"Not until we see the king." He retorted stubbornly.
"You don't understand." Joo Dee said apprehensively, "You must go!"
The woman shoved Sokka into Aang, which caused him to spill the water inside the pitcher he was holding onto a female guest.
"Aaah! Oh!" The woman gasped in surprise and anguish as she looked down at her soaked dress.
"Sorry." Aang apologized quickly, "No, don't shout."
He quickly used his hands and foot to Airbend a gust of wind at the female guest, blowing his hat, along with Momo off his head. The gust of air dried the water on her, but at the same time it turned her hair, clothes, and makeup into a mess. Aang smiled sheepishly at her as he lowered his hand and foot. The woman stared at him in shock for a moment then she smiled slowly in amazement.
"The Avatar!" She gasped in awe, "I didn't know the Avatar would be here!"
All the guests turned their attention towards Aang. Joo Dee's large, happy smile slowly fell into a sour frown and a look of dread as she stared at the young Avatar. Aang looked around at the guests as Momo hid back under the hat on the floor and sank away. The young Airbender blushed and waved at the crowd, laughing nervously. Sokka quickly leaned towards the younger boy when he got an idea.
"You keep their attention while I look for the king." He whispered quickly then he slipped into the crowd.
Aang nodded and turned back to the crowd, "Watch this, everybody!"
The young Avatar jumped into the air and out of his busboy clothes, leaving him in his Air Nomad garb. He landed lightly on the long dining table and he began swinging his arms around, Waterbending the guests' drinks right out of the cups. Quickly, he jumped onto a pitcher and balanced on it easily as he continued to Waterbend the liquid above his head, where he created a swirling, multicolored ball. The crowd of high-society people cheered and clapped excitedly as he spun around while Bosco the bear gave a delighted growl from the other end of the table.
Xiaodan raced out of the teashop with her staff gripped tightly in her hand, arriving outside just as Zuko swung his remained dao blade at Jet with a fierce growl. Jet dodged the attack and moved to Zuko's side lithely. The two ended up back-to-back and they attempt to strike each other from behind, but neither is able to get past the other's defense. Xiaodan spotted two Dai Li agents pushing through the crowd and she rushed towards the two fighting young men.
"Xiaodan, don't!" Iroh gasped and he reached out to grab the white-haired girl, but she was too fast and she easily dodged his outstretched hand.
"Enough!" Xiaodan barked as she slipped her staff between the two boys and with a small amount of Airbending, she pushed them apart in two different directions.
She stood between Zuko and Jet as they faced each other, both breathing hard as they glared darkly at the other. Xiaodan stood with her staff raised threateningly at both of them, her orange eyes flashing from Zuko to Jet then back again.
"Drop your weapons." One of the Dai Li agents ordered as they reached the trio of teens.
Zuko's eyes narrowed and he lowered his sword to his side. Xiaodan eyed him for a moment then she shifted so she was standing beside him and she pressed the end of her staff into the ground, leaning on it slightly. Jet scowled and pointed towards Iroh, Xiaodan, Zuko with his remaining hook sword.
"Arrest them," Jet demanded, "They're Firebenders!"
"This poor boy is confused," Iroh said peacefully as he walked over to stand beside Zuko and Xiaodan, "We're just simple refugees."
Pao stepped forward and pointed an accusing finger at Jet, "This young man wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees!"
"It's true sir, we saw the whole thing." One of the customers said as he stepped forward, "This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city."
"Oh, ho, ho." Iroh chuckled modestly as he blushed faintly, "That's very sweet."
Zuko rolled his eyes in aggravation at his uncle, but Xiaodan couldn't help but giggle quietly behind her hand.
The two Dai Li agents walked up to Jet, who was glaring at them angrily.
"Come with us, son." One of the agents instructed firmly once he and his comrade had reached the young man.
Jet scowled and swung his hook-sword at the agent, who merely caught the weapon with his rock-encased hands. The agent quickly disarmed Jet and both Dai Li agents pulled his arms behind his back, binding his wrists together using their stones from their rock gloves.
"You don't understand!" Jet shouted as the guards dragged him toward a wagon designed for holding captured criminals, "They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!"
The crowd slowly began to disperse as the young man was thrown into the wagon on his knees. Jet looked up as the doors began to close, catching sight of the white-haired girl staring at him with small amount of sympathy then the doors blocked his sight.
The people left in the street watched quietly as the wagon began moving down the street. In the remaining crowd, Longshot and Smellerbee watched the entire scene unfold, hidden from view then they turned and slowly walked away.
Iroh pursed his lips slightly and shook his head with small, sad sigh then he went back into the teashop. Xiaodan glanced up at Zuko and saw him glaring at the retreating wagon. Without really thinking, she grabbed his hand with her free and she began to lead him back to the shop. She let go of his hand briefly to grab the other dao sword as they passed it and she handed it to him then she took his hand in her again and continued walking. Zuko didn't pull his hand away from hers as he let her lead him back to the shop in silence.
Two lines of guards walk into the hall with eight of them carrying a curtained palanquin, the outline of the Earth King sitting on the platform just barely visible through the sheer curtain. The crowd stopped to marvel at the king's presence and Sokka quickly snuck through the crowd while they were distracted as he attempted to get a better view of the king. The line of guards placed the palanquin down and they turned to face the guests with stoic expressions.
"Aang!" Sokka called out as he looked at the boy then he pointed towards the king, "The Earth King!"
Aang noticed Sokka's gesture from where he was entertaining the bear by Waterbending bubbles. Quickly, Aang bends an air-scooter and he zoomed down the length of the table, the guests quickly pulling their food and drinks out of the way.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Aang exclaimed excitedly as he zoomed down the table.
The procession of guards suddenly picked up the palanquin and walked off with it while another line of guards walked up to the long dining table. Sokka swiftly exited the crowd and attempted to follow the king, but two Dai Li agents grabbed him abruptly and lead him away, pulling his arms behind his back.
"Hey, let me go!" Sokka shouted as he tried to struggle against the two agents' grip on his arms, but to no avail.
In a different part of the hall, a Dai Li agent stepped out from behind a pillar and he threw his hands out, sending his stone gloves flying forward. The gloves grabbed Toph and pulled her backwards abruptly with one glove on her mouth to keep her quiet while Katara was looking the other way. A second later, another pair of gloves grabbed the Waterbender and pulled her back the same way they had Toph. Another Dai Li agent stood watch near the wall and he looked down when something on the ground caught his attention. His eyes narrowed when he saw the busboy hat scurrying past him, a pair of large ears and a striped tail sticking out of it. The agent reached down and pulled the hat off, revealing Momo underneath and the lemur looked up in surprise. The Dai Li guard grabbed the lemur in one hand and used the other to encase him in the rocks from his stone glove.
Aang zoomed down the rest of the length of the table, unaware that his friends had been captured and he quickly jumped off his air scooter when he reached the end of the table. The young Airbender held his arms up triumphantly then his brows furrowed slightly when he saw the line of guards. Long Feng suddenly walked up to Aang from behind the line of guards and he clasped his hands behind his back.
"Avatar, it is a great honor to meet you." Long Feng said respectfully and he bowed briefly to Aang, "I am Long Feng, Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se and head of the Dai Li. I'd like to talk to you. Your friends will be waiting for us in the library."
The man gestured for Aang to follow him as he exited the hall and headed in the direction of the library. Aang hesitated a moment then he hopped off the table and followed Long Feng quietly.
The double doors of the library shut behind the four teens after they and Long Feng had entered the library. Long Feng moved towards a small stool that was positioned in front of the large hearth that illuminated the area with green flames. The four teens stood tensely a few feet in front of him, all of them watching him warily.
"Why won't you let us talk to the king?" Sokka demanded as he took a step forward, "We have information that could defeat the Fire Nation!"
"The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day to day minutia of military activities." Long Feng replied mildly.
"This could be the most important thing he's ever heard." Aang protested with a small frown.
"What's most important to his royal majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters." The man explained artfully as he crossed his legs, "It's my job to oversee the rest of the city's resources, including the military."
"So the king is just a figurehead." Katara stated with surprise.
"He's your puppet!" Toph accused angrily and and Long Feng gave her a surprised look.
"Oh, no, no." He denied lightly as he waved his hands in front of him slightly, "His Majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly changes of an endless war."
"But we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless." Sokka said in frustration, "You could lead an invasion-"
Long Feng stood up abruptly with an annoyed expression and Sokka stopped talking to give the man a confused look.
"Enough, I don't want to hear your ridiculous plan." Long Feng snapped firmly, "It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the War not be mentioned with the Walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic."
Unbeknownst to the friends that as Long Feng spoke, two Dai Li agents dragged Jet into a dark room and forced him to sit on a stone chair.
"You have to believe me, they're Firebenders!" Jet pleaded as he tried to get up only to be forced back down again by two stone bands holding his wrists to the arm of the chair, "They won't stop until they win the War."
Several square stones from one of the agent's rock glove circled around Jet's head and clamped down on his skull, holding it in place.
"Calm down," The first agent said soothingly, "You're safe now."
The agent stood in front of Jet in the middle of a metal track. From behind him, a small orange lantern appeared attached the track and it began to circle in front of the agent, Jet's eyes unconsciously following it.
"Our economy will be ruined." Long Feng continued to explain to the four flabbergasted teens calmly.
"There's no war in Ba Sing Se." The Dai Li agent stated calmly, almost hypnotizingly.
"What're you talking about?" Jet demanded in confusion as his eyes followed the lantern around the track, "Where do you think all the refugees come from? You can't hide it!"
"In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia." Long Feng intoned as it if was some profound piece of wisdom, "The last one on Earth."
Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph stared at Long Feng with shock and utter at the revelation, their jaws slack and their eyes wide.
Jet tried to speak but a circle of square stones covered his mouth, muffling his protests as the lamp passed by his eyes again. The Dai Li agent standing in the middle of the metal track watched calmly as the lamp continued revolving around him.
"There is no war within the wall." The agent said firmly but calmly, "Here we are safe. Here, we are free."
The lamp passed again and Jet's eyes went wide, his protests falling silent as his pupils dilated and his mind went blank.
"You can't keep the truth from these people." Katara snapped at Long Feng, still horrified by what he was telling them, "They have to know!"
Aang stepped forward and pointed a finger at Long Feng accusingly, "I'll tell them! I'll make sure everyone knows!"
"Until now, you've been treated as our honored guests." Long Feng drawled coolly as he stepped forward and bent down to look the young Avatar in the eye while Aang stared back angrily, "But from now on, you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the War to anyone, you will be expelled from the city.
"I understand you've been looking for your bison." He commented as he turned around and began walking over to the hearth with the green fire then he looked over his shoulder at Aang, "It would be quite a shame if you were not able to complete your quest."
Aang's eyes went wide and he stared at the man in fright but soon his expression becomes angry again. Long Feng sat back down on the stool in front of the hearth just as the library doors open and a woman with short dark hair entered.
"Now, Joo Dee will show you to your home."
The woman turned to look at the teens with a large, blank smile on her face while the group stared back at her in surprise.
"Come with me, please."
"What happened to Joo Dee?" Katara asked in surprise and suspicion.
"I'm Joo Dee." The woman replied brightly and she inclined her head, "I'll be your host as long as you're in our wonderful city."
She smiled cheerfully at the group in the same blank, artificial way and the four teens looked at each other warily.
Author's Note: Sweet baby Jesus, this is one loooong-ass chapter, just over 10k words, not including the two author's notes. And holy crap, my fingers are super cramped from typing. Anyhooties, I hope this chapter was up to y'all's expectations! Next chapter takes place during Season 2 Episode 15: Tales of Ba Sing Se and I'll try to update soon, so stay tuned!
Special THANKS to everyone that faved and/or alerted! You guys are freaking awesome-sauce!
SPECIAL MENTIONS!
Vicky Lexi Bennett: Haha, I'm glad you liked the little Zukia moments in the last chapter. Well, Jet attempted to flirt, but Xia wasn't having none of that nonsense. XD Anyhooties, I hope you liked this chapter!
Slightly Crazy Author: Sorry, I sent the link, I hope it helps. Anyhooties, I hope you liked this chapter!
Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape: I know right? There are only like…I think 2 or 3 of them. Anyhooties, I hope you liked this chapter!
Molly Grace 16: Thanks, I'm glad you liked the last chapter! Haha, Sokka was pretty hilarious in that episode. I hope you liked this chapter!
Becky: Haha, I'm sorry, I hope updating quickly this time makes up for taking forever with the last chapter. I'm glad you liked the Zukia moments in the last chapter, I thought it would be a cute little way to show their growing bond. Anyhooties, I hope you liked this chapter!
Morsmorde Caster: Haha, I hope you liked this chapter!
JadiexGurl: Haha, I'm glad you liked the last chapter. I think I may have described the tattoos on her face vaguely in the beginning on chapter 21, but I can't remember. If you really wanna check out what she looks there's actually a picture on my profile of what I think Xia would look like, it also includes her tattoos, just imagine her in either an Air Nomad's clothes or a kind of Earth Kingdom peasant type outfit instead of what the girl in the picture is wearing. XD Anyhooties, I hope you liked this chapter!
BlueWinterMoon: Haha, sorry about that, I hope the wait for this chapter wasn't as torturous. I hope you liked this chapter!
Anon Guest: Haha, yeah, love-triangles drive me nuts sometimes. Anyhooties, I hope you liked chapter!