Frisk found her mother in the hull of the ship. The prison cells to be exact. Talking with the circus freak and the school girl On Ji. While the latter was not in a cell like Ty Lee, she looked even more on edge. Especially when she saw Frisk step into the room. Ty lee looked sad. Only Toriel smiled.
"My child. I'm glad you came. I've had a wonderful conversation with these two lovely ladies. Care to join?"
Frisk beckoned with her hand. Toriel did not obey.
"Please, Frisk. Let's not- "
The mute girl beckoned anyway. Toriel sighed.
"It was good to talk with you again Ty Lee. Thank you for taking such good care of us in the Boiling Rock. If anyone gives you trouble, please let me know."
The athletic woman nodded as the older one stood up and left the two fire nation residents alone together. One within an obvious cage. The other within an invisible one.
As soon as they exited the cell floor, Frisk confronted her guardian with anger in her expression and the rapidness of her sign language.
What are you doing, she asked. Those girls are enemies.
Toriel rubbed her forehead.
"Not every member of the Fire Nation is the Fire Lord my child. You must recognize the difference."
They didn't do that for us! Why should they get special treatment?
Toriel placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"These are children too. The future of this nation. They are trying to find themselves. If we help them do that- "
Frisk shook her head. Toriel pursed her lips.
"You've been talking to that boy, Jet, haven't you? I warned you about him my dear. He's a radical."
"I'm a realist."
The older woman's eyes narrowed as the boy in question descended the steps with his friends behind.
"There's no making peace with these people Miss Toriel. This is war. And these are war criminals."
"Some, indeed. But not all!"
Jet rolled his eyes.
"Not all. Yes, I've heard that excuse before. Some are good, decent. Let me ask you then. Where were these good, decent ones when my parents were murdered? When Frisk here was so traumatized, she lost her voice?"
Toriel stared at her adopted daughter who suddenly couldn't look her in the eye.
"What is he saying Frisk?"
Frisk couldn't look her mother's way. She merely shook her head at Jet as if asking him to stop.
"She doesn't like to talk about it. But it was all the result of fire freaks like those two! And you want her to play friendly with them! The nerve!"
Toriel rubbed her face.
"Children, I am not downplaying the crimes this nation has committed against us. But there's a big difference between the military and- "
"You think they recognize that distinction? You think they care whose neck they stamp on? No! Why should we show mercy and compassion to those who will never show it to us?"
Jet held up a hand to stop her from responding.
"I don't wanna hear it. I can't believe an elder who has lost so much to this war would ever defend these monsters."
"It's because I'm an elder that I can defend these children. When you get old enough, you see the nuances in life. The diversity of life. The misery and waste that such hatred as yours brings you in the long term."
Jet huffed.
"Say what you want. You're not fooling me. You're just a tired old woman who's given up on the fight. Well, we haven't. And we're not quitting. Come on Frisk. Let's go practice some more moves. There's terrorists to kill. Justice to dispense."
Toriel placed her hand on the girl's shoulder as she moved to follow the other children up the stairs.
"My child, please ask yourself. Do you really want to be like him?"
Frisk didn't respond. Merely looked her way for a second before continuing up the stairs. Those eyes were filled with pain.
….
"Kiyi! Get away from them!"
"Mommy! Can't I get a little more time with them? The old guy makes great tea!"
"You've been drinking something they gave you," Noriko asked in horror. "Quick! Go see the doctor! Hurry!"
"Lady Noriko," Iroh assured her from behind the bars of his cage. "I would never do anything to hurt- "
"Why did you call me that? And how did you even get the means to make tea?"
"I asked. I have nothing nefarious planned."
"Well, I don't trust you. Now come on Kiyi!"
She grabbed her daughter and pulled her out of the cell room. The old man looked out sadly. The boy with the scar stared away.
"Mommy, did you have to be so rude?"
"I did, yes. They're dangerous criminals. They attacked the temple. Tried to kill us all. Have you already forgotten?"
"I dunno. The old guy seemed apologetic about it. And the boy's so funny when he gets mad, yelling about honor and all that!"
"I don't care how fun you think he is! He's dangerous! Fire Nation!"
"I thought we were Fire Nation."
"Not anymore. We left that life behind. We must move on. I don't want to be a nation of murderers."
"Noriko? What's going on."
The woman sighed.
"Noren. Kiyi, run to the infirmary. Get yourself looked at."
"Mom, I'm fine! They didn't poison me!"
Poison," Noren raised an eyebrow. "What is the meaning of this, Noriko?"
"Go anyway. Just do it. This is not up for discussion."
The girl huffed and walked off leaving her two parents with tension in the air between them.
"I agree with the girl, you know. I think you're overreacting. I think that general's smart enough to realize he'd die if he tried poisoning a child."
"He's a member of the fire royal family. Who knows what those lunatics would do for their cause?"
"Well, technically, you – "
"Ah yes. Thank you for reminding me. Why would you ever say I was that boy's mother?"
"It's the truth. Before you lost your memories and your face, you made me promise that if ever a moment came to see your children again, I would tell you. No matter how you reacted."
"Do you realize how crazy that sounds? Some spirit gave me a new face all because I couldn't stand my time with the Fire Lord?"
"That is your past. And you must confront it to learn your future."
"Our future is hopefully one where we don't have to consider the whims of Firebenders ever again! Where we don't have to live in fear of their tyranny! We left that land to begin a new life!"
"Noriko…"
"Even if what you say is true, I'm not that woman anymore. I'm a member of the Air nation. Not the Fire. They're my people now. Not those two in that cell. So can we please drop it?"
He watched his wife walk off and rubbed his head. This was going to get ugly before it ended.
….
"Why are you selling hot dogs? We're here on serious business!"
Sans didn't drop his smile as he continued making the cylindrical meat and wrapping it in bread. Earth kingdom soldiers walked up to the stand, grabbed one and quickly scurried off, putting as much distance as they could between them and the bald man.
"i'm on serious business too. feeding the hungry and all that, you know? tough business. even tougher crowd."
"Come on! We were sent here to act as guards! To help the world we've long abandoned! Not to act as vendors!"
"we are helping the world. did you get a look at the kind of food they serve their troops? it sucks. i'm giving them something better."
Papyrus looked at the soldiers keeping their distance. He huffed in annoyance.
"Look at them. We're heroes. We helped them take this city. They're supposed to like me. Supposed to be friends. Why don't they like me?"
Sans shrugged.
"They're not used to you and your…bubbly personality."
"Why not," Papyrus bemoaned. "I've been nothing but kind to them. Talked about my life. Asked them about theirs. Yet they still look at us weird. So, I think maybe don't do anything that might make them do that more, you know?"
"You mean, stop being myself? I think I'll pass. Sounds like too much trouble."
"So, you're just gonna stand there and do nothing? Fine. Well, don't let me keep you from doing nothing. I know just talking is too much for you sometimes."
"Yeah, you go do that bro. Have fun! The rest of you! Come get them while they're hot!"
Papyrus observed the soldiers keeping their distance. The citizens watching them from partially closed windows.
He wanted to stomp his feet in frustration. Here he was. Doing real guard work with real stakes. The only thing that would have made it even more amazing would be if he led the damn thing.
So why wasn't he happier? Why wasn't anyone else happier?
Why wasn't anyone rushing forward to be his friend?
"Well, ok. Maybe I can understand the citizens. Fire Nation colonists or whatever. But why not the soldiers? Why don't they like me?"
"Psst! Hey! Over here!"
His head whipped around to the darkness of the alley from where someone with a cloak beckoned.
"Oh hello! A grateful citizen! My name's Papyrus! What's your name? Would you like a friend?"
"Friend, huh? Yeah. I'd like a friend. How about a naïve unlikable invader who destroyed my home and way of life? That's the kind of friend I'm looking for."
"Really? That's a wild taste in friends you've got there. But I'm here to help!"
"Great! If you could just follow me this way, friend. I really appreciate it."
"Thank you! That's all I want! A little appreciation! Finally, someone who understands me! What's your name, friend?"
"Kori," the stranger smiled. "And personally, I think I understand you well enough already "friend."
….
"General Jeong Jeong. A word, please," Toriel asked.
The old man stared at her in silence for a moment as others left the table and piled out of the room. She fidgeted a bit under his gaze.
"Once again," she said as she walked over to him. "I thank you all for your insight and sacrifice to this cause. The world will be better off for it."
"Don't bet on it. You're just a thorn in the Fire Nation's side. There's no damage you've done, we can't recover from."
Admiral Zhao sneered from the chair he found himself tied up to. During these meetings, the prisoner had been forced to share his intel of his nation's military positions and weaknesses to account for any outdated data Jeong Jeong possessed. So far, the information had aided and allowed them to stay out of the Fire Lord's reach. She still didn't trust him though.
"Not yet Zhao," Jeong Jeong said without looking his way. "But in time, we will see to that."
Zhao's sneer turned to a scowl as he turned to his fellow Firebender.
"I can't believe I ever thought you were great. Running away from your duty to your nation and spending years in some forsaken jungle. And only returning to help overthrow your home with an army of savages. Some life!"
Jeong Jeong did not immediately call for the arrogant man to be thrown out but rather looked at him silently while others did the deed.
"General," Toriel said when he'd been dragged out. "Is he worth keeping around? Is there no chance he's lying?"
"Perhaps. But he has devolved into an opportunist. He values his name in the history books more than any sort of patriotic love. And maybe…"
He shook his head.
"No. He is So, too far gone. The best I can do is contain the disease of the soul he and I have wrought."
"Disease of the soul?"
"Yes. The false patriotism passed down from Sozin through his children. The same disease that brought your people- "
He stopped himself.
"I apologize Lady Toriel. I didn't mean- "
"It's fine general. There's no point pretending it didn't happen. And you weren't there. It's not your fault."
"It is my fault that the western states of the Earth kingdom fell. It is my fault that the town of Zao now lacks any men over the age of thirty. And it is my fault that my pupil Zhao has embraced the life of an opportunistic savage. I have much to answer for and have done not nearly enough to make up for it. Please do not feel pity for me Lady Toriel. I do not deserve it. Your strength and resolve in addressing me as an equal without- "
"Please, general. Don't beat up on yourself so much. You broke through the propaganda instilled in you since birth. You turned against the nation you love for the good of the world at large. You have nothing to apologize for. Your presence here is a blessing."
Jeong Jeong offered a small smile.
"Thank you for your kind words my lady. It warms my heart to hear such forgiveness from someone so hurt by my kind. It speaks to great inner strength. I only wish more in this small army felt the same."
Toriel's heart sank.
"That's what I wish to discuss with you. No doubt you're aware of the hostility of some amidst us."
"You mean the boy and old woman in particular."
"Well, yes. They make no secret of their hatred for all Firebenders. And I fear they may lump you into that group."
"I cannot blame them. Not with the lives they've lived."
"Even so, I fear for your safety and the success of this revolution if this hatred is allowed to foster. Perhaps we could make some kind of gathering where we discuss- "
"No. As long as they aid us, I care not what they think."
"General! You are a human being! A valued leader of the resistance! You deserve your dignity! Your right to fight for your freedom no less than any of us."
The general gave a wry smile.
"Freedom. How ironic it would be for me to seek such a thing when I have spent so long denying others their freedom."
"Well, I'm not going to allow it. I'm an airbender. How can we preach peace and forgiveness if we don't practice it? That's not the kind of world I want for our children. Not the kind of world I want airbenders to return to. If we allow that, then Sozin won."
The old man stared at her.
"I envy the power of air. The ability to soar. To move with wind. To relinquish control."
A flame materialized in one of his palms. His other free hand clenched and trembled. "It is not the same with us. Control is everything. We must always walk a thin line between that and destruction. Fire is a terrible burden that brings death and destruction. Eventually, we're torn apart."
He sighed and dispelled the flame in his hand.
"I only pray I can fix the damage we've done before that day comes."
He left the room leaving Toriel more frustrated than before.
"Men. No matter what nation or for what reason, you're all fools. You. Ozai. My husband. All of you."
….
"Lady Noriko. King Asgore would like to see you in his tent."
"Captain Undyne! IS there a problem?"
"Not in the slightest. Not with you anyway. He thinks he has a way you can aid in the effort though."
"Then I would be delighted to speak with him. Err… Where is his tent again?"
"I'll lead you to it. Please, follow."
They wandered through the sea of tents. All part of a great convoy of earth kingdom soldiers and air Nation warriors making its way towards Ba Sing Se in the hopes of convincing a largely silent king to take back the world.
"Have the earth kingdom troops treated you fairly?"
"Fair enough. Many are still butt hurt that we didn't have the numbers to lend a hand sooner. Most are too scared to approach."
"You did make a bloodbath out of many fire soldiers. Even I was quite shaken."
"In every army, there must be someone who is willing to dirty themselves and do what others will not."
"You mustn't dirty yourself so much or you won't be able to look yourself in a mirror."
"I already can't do that. I've crossed that line. It's who I am. I only hope my sacrifices can allow others to live a life like our ancestors did."
"You allowed me and my family into your home. Members of the nation that destroyed said ancestors."
Undyne's mouth thinned.
"You thank me? You know I was against your sheltering initially, correct?"
"You had good reason."
Undyne didn't respond for a moment.
"And can you accept the fate we have planned for your nation? The people you grew up amongst?"
Noriko didn't respond. She didn't know how to. Instead, she looked out over the vast field of tents and soldiers, wondering how many would die over the next few months.
"I worry about Papyrus," Undyne finally said. "He always wanted to prove himself as a real guard under real duress. Now he's about to have it. I don't think he's ready for it. Spirits know I'm not."
"He's strong. You taught him well."
Undyne laughed with tears running down her face.
"I taught him how to cook and clean. Not how to kill! I didn't want that kind of burden on his soul. Any battle skills he possesses he learned himself. I shudder to think what he might have done these years he left with his brother to explore the world."
"I can only imagine that burden. I hope I never experience it."
Assuming you haven't experienced it already lady Ursa, a little voice whispered to her in the back of her mind.
"Hope is a poor thing to rely on my lady."
They arrived at Asgore's tent where the king was looking over a map of the world.
"Your grace. She's here."
"Thank you Undyne. You may resume your patrols."
The captain of the guard nodded her head and left them alone.
"You know, I remember stories from my father about the old world before Sozin's genocide. How people lived. Where they lived. How they acted. Their customs. All that stuff."
The king looked up and smiled sadly.
"When I finally saw the outside world, I realized it wasn't the world that had changed. It was us."
"I believe the Fire Nation has changed significantly over this last century."
"Not as much as we have. War and battle have been a part of their history even before Sozin. Not for us. Not for the Air Nation. Not once in recorded history did we ever engage in a full-scale war."
He clenched his fists.
"To think I would oversee the first generation to do so. It has always been our duty to be the best humanity could be. To rise above the violence at the core of humanity. Rise above its messes. Provide refuge and safety from the harshness of this world. Now we're caught up in it."
"I am truly sorry for the burden upon your shoulders. I'm sure your people understand you have no other choice."
Asgore's fists clenched tighter as he placed them fists down on the table.
"They more than understand. They relish it. The desire for vengeance has infected my people these last many decades, Lady Noriko. Now they have the opportunity to act on it."
He walked out of the tent and looked over the army that had formed. The army his people were part of.
"But I have always appreciated the works of our ancestors. I envy the life they led. The peace of mind. I've seen the effect of war on the people of the other nations. The effect on their souls. I don't want that for my people."
He turned back to meet her eyes.
"And that means we need a sustainable world. A world where all other nations are willing to lay down arms. At least long enough to rebuild. Water tribes. Earth Kingdom. Fire Nation. We need them all to come together."
"A difficult idea. It would be difficult enough to convince the water and Earth nations. Next to impossible with the current Fire Lord I imagine."
Or know, that voice said to her again.
"Not with the current one. But we have two potential heirs with us right now. One of whom at least shows interest in an end to conflict."
Noriko bit her lip.
"That's why I'm here aren't I? You believe their nonsense. That I'm really… Someone else."
"I don't care who you are. Whether Noriko or the mother of that scarred boy, I know you are a good woman. One who has helped us significantly. Someone who listens to those with stories to tell. Someone who helps those in need of guidance."
"And the Fire Lord's son and brother are in need of guidance?"
"One of them could inherit the throne. Lead their nation towards an understanding of their complicity. Keep a check on the war hawks demanding continued bloodshed. I think- "
"You want me to spend time with them?"
Asgore stared, debating his next words.
"Yes. I know it's a lot to ask. But for the good of this nation and world, we need the Fire Nation to change for the better. Unless we intend to wipe them all out. And I will not tolerate genocide."
Noriko weighed her options. She could refuse. Asgore was a big softie under that muscular exterior and he would probably cave if pressed enough.
But then she thought about that scared traumatized boy. That scar on his face. If he really was her….
"All Right. For the future of the air Nation, I'll do it."
….
"So, I get the sense you're pretty upset," Papyrus asked casually. As if he wasn't tied to a chair and under interrogation.
"Upset? That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of how I feel."
The girl (Kiyi if he recalled had been walking around him for some time. Either she was as excited as he was about making a potential new friend. Or perhaps frustrated by the lack of a specific answer she wanted.
"I mean you're an earthbender aren't you? Thought you'd be… I don't know… Happier about the whole liberation of your city and whatnot."
"Liberation? Is that what you call it? Your brother slaughters countless guards just doing their job and you expect a thank you? You destroyed our home! You're all murderers!"
Papyrus hadn't seen that coming.
"Wait, the guards were bad guys, weren't they? Why are you mourning them?"
"They were good men doing their job! Protecting us! Protecting our livelihood!"
"Livelihood? But… this is a Fire Nation Colony, right?"
The girl inhaled to keep herself from lashing out.
"Yeah. This is a Fire Nation Colony. And I?"
She lifted her foot up and stamped it upon the rocky ground. A pillar of Earth rose and touched the ceiling.
"I am an Earthbender! Born of a Fire Nation Colonist and an Earthbending woman! Two people from different worlds came together in love and made me! This colony was a union of Fire Colonists and Earth kingdom settlers who lived together in relative harmony. Until you and your insane brother ruined it all!"
Papyrus blinked a few times to make sure he heard right.
"Wait. The guards. Weren't they evil?"
"Evil," she hissed. "They were soldiers merely doing their job. Protecting our way of life. And then you walk in one day and butcher them like pigs!"
Papyrus thought it over.
"Look Kiyi was it?"
"Kori!"
"Right. Sorry. Kori, isn't that…. Look. Maybe we had some misunderstandings and all. But the Fire Nation took this land. We're just taking it back."
"And so, we're just collateral damage? Acceptable losses?"
"No not acceptable. Look I- Damn it. You're supposed to thank me! I saved the world! Well, the city! Or I guess my brother did, but- "
"Yes. Your brother. That… thing. He killed all the guards so… Easily. What the hell is he? How do you kill him?"
"Sans? He's human. And why would you want to kill him? He loves hot dogs. Spends his time doing… well not much really."
"Not much? He took down an entire regiment by himself! Don't tell me that crap! He's a threat! A monster! I've never seen anyone move like that!"
"Huh? Oh yeah! Well, Sans is like that."
"Like that? What do you mean like that? He floated above the ground!"
"I know right! I wish I had that kind of carelessness sometimes! It takes some kind of mental state or thingy to master such an airbending trick! Honestly, he could be an airbending master and get the tattoos if not for- "
"Wait. Airbending? That was airbending? He's an airbender?"
"Oh, guess you haven't heard of that yet. We're both airbenders! Here to save the world and make friends!"
"You're both airbenders? But… I thought they were all wiped out during their attack."
Papyrus' mouth hung open in midair. His original train of thought lost.
"Wait. Our attack? We didn't attack anyone. Well, ok we did today. But Sozin attacked us? Destroyed our homes! Nearly all our people! We had to live underground! We didn't make anyone do all that!"
"What nonsense are you spouting! That Fire Lord Sozin attacked unprovoked?"
"Well, yes. At least I think so. What does unprovoked mean again?"
"No. I don't believe that. There's no way Fire Lord Sozin would- It's a trick. Earth Kingdom propaganda!"
"easy to think that way ain't it? takes too much effort to use one's head. might as well let someone else think for you."
The girl whipped around with wide eyes to face Sans hovering with his feet barely above the ground. She quickly pulled a knife out of her side vest and held it to Papyrus' throat.
"Make a move and- "
"What? You kill my brother? A little thing like you?"
"You don't know me."
"i heard pretty much everything you said. pretty good motive rant and explanation i'd say."
"Then you know I'll do anything for my people. Kill any invaders. Any savages. No matter how powerful."
"yeah, i feel that. i normally wouldn't care too much. but again, that's my brother."
"If you didn't want his life on the line, you shouldn't have chosen to attack."
Sans rubbed his forehead.
"come on girl. can't we handle this another way? they hurt us so we hurt back. it happens. now if we could settle our differences over hot dogs or tea before it came to such-"
"You want tea and hot dogs? Then get out of my home!"
"you know i don't think the Earth guards are gonna accept that."
"I don't care. This is our home! You have no right! To throw us out!"
"come on- "
"No! You showed us no quarter, so I'll show you none! All of you leave tonight. Or." She paused.
"I'll kill him! I mean it! I'm not joking!
Sans stared at the girl in silence for a moment then rolled his shoulders.
"look kid. clearly, we're not going anywhere, so just tell me this. do you wanna have a bad time?"
The girl raised her eyebrows.
"Excuse me?"
"like i said, it's a simple question. do you wanna have a bad time?"
"I'm already- "
"i mean a really bad time? even worse than what you think you're having? Because if you don't let my brother go, you are really not gonna like what happens next."
The girl bit her lip for a moment and seemingly pondered the seriousness of that threat. But after a time, she decided to call his bluff and tightened her grip on Papyrus' throat.
"You think I'm backing down? You think I'm some cowardly little girl? You can forget it! Either you leave, or your brother shares- "
Sans disappeared. The girl's eyes widened.
"I- You- Where'd he go? Where'd he go?"
Papyrus only met her stunned and confused expression with pity.
"Sorry. Nothing I can do when he gets like this."
"What do you mean? When he gets like what?"
"But hey. After this, do you think we can start over? I'll show you how to make spaghetti! It'll be great!"
"What the hell is spaghetti?"
Before Papyrus could respond, the girl was kicked in the side of her leg, causing her to cry out in pain. A whack to the back of the head knocked her into unconsciousness.
"Spirits. Wasn't that a little much? She's just a kid."
"so are you," the older brother responded as he undid Papyrus' bonds.
"You know, no one's gonna want to be my friend if you scare them like that."
"you don't wanna be friends with her, pap. she's an ash maker."
"I think… She's an earthbender actually."
Sans looked at her with an unreadable expression.
"who defends Firebenders? never heard of such a thing. guess that makes her… a rock cooker!"
Papyrus groaned.
"what? you got tired of the air puns, didn't you?"
….
"Toriel is it?"
Said Toriel breathed in deep and turned about.
"Yes, lady Hama?"
"I just uh- "The old woman seemed a little nervous which Toriel found somewhat amusing given the power she wielded.
Only during a full moon, she reminded herself.
"I merely realized that we haven't really had a chance to talk. A travesty considering the kind of lives we've lived."
"What kind of lives are those, lady Hama?"
"Please, I'm not a lady. Just call me Hama. I've called you by just your name you'll notice."
"I did. Very well then Hama. What was this about the lives we've lived?"
"The lives of the oppressed. Of people beaten down because of who we are. What we can do."
"Those who can't firebend you mean."
"Well, yes. Those who can bend something else. Something beautiful."
"Bend something beautiful," Toriel asked confused.
"Indeed. Fire brings death. Destruction. That's all it's good for. And it reflects in their treatment of other nations."
The old woman tried to read Toriel's expression, but she purposefully kept her feelings ambiguous and difficult to read.
"Water and air are different though. They bring life and comfort. Without either, none could exist."
Toriel still did not respond. She did not trust this woman and didn't want her getting to close and friendly with her.
"I think they were jealous of that. Jealous of our ability to create against their ability to bring only destruction. And so, they exterminated us. Brought our tribes to the brink of extinction out of spite."
The old woman stepped forward at this point and placed a hand on Toriel's shoulder. The airbender continued to display indifference despite the growing lack of ease within.
"But they failed. We're still here. Both our nations. And now after so much suffering, we can take it all back. Make them feel our pain. Make them know how it feels to lose it all. Make them scream- "
"Forgive me Hama. But I'm not entirely sure where you're going with this."
A subtle flash of annoyance at the interruption manifested on the bloodbender's face before disappearing.
"My apologies. I went off a bit there didn't I? My point is I'm just… It's an honor to work with a fellow sufferer like you. And I want you to know it wasn't for nothing. All the loss. All the pain. It will all pay off in the end."
"In what way?"
"Vengeance. Bloody Vengeance."
Toriel stared at the wide excited eyes and promises of blood. She felt pity for this creature.
"You served time in a cell, correct?"
"Indeed. The last waterbender of the southern water tribe. Locked away to rot in prison. They thought they had me under their thumb. Their own personal pet. They certainly treated me like one."
"Until you invented bloodbending."
The old woman smiled.
"Yes. It seemed such a simple trick, really. Water is within us all is it not? So naturally, it should be possible to take command. I don't know why no waterbender has tried it before."
"Unless they had and simply didn't pass it along. Didn't wish to share the knowledge of such a dark technique."
"A shame. Perhaps if more with bending prowess were willing to dabble in such tricks, we could have put a leash on these people before they got this far."
Toriel frowned.
"Doesn't that go against the idea you just presented for our bending? Of life and comfort?"
Hama waved that idea away with her hand.
"Under ideal circumstances. But we don't live in such a time my dear Toriel. We live in a time where creativity and brutality must be bedmates for survival. They showed us no human compassion so we must show none of our own."
"Would that include locking them all away in cages?"
Hama grinned sadistically.
"Oh, yes. Without question. That is our end game after all. Show them the same "kindness" they showed us."
"That's the end game? The gift of pain? Not the rebuilding of the tribes or nations?"
"The tribes and nations take second place to revenge. It's not like we could ever build it the same way from the ground up. At least we can make sure they never do the same. Make sure our ancestors sleep easy."
"So, you have no other goal beyond inflicting pain? Have you not looked around? Noticed that many on this very crew are fire nation?"
"A few souls feeling guilty or hoping to be spared the fate they deserve doesn't atone for the sins of the majority."
"Then why did you only take vengeance on a few?"
"Excuse me?"
"As I understand it, you only harassed a small village far from the capitol. No royals or military leaders there. It took them years to send someone. Doesn't seem like it inconvenienced them much."
Hama's eyes narrowed.
"What is your point?"
"My point is, you didn't harm the majority. You picked on the minority. You speak as if you made great sacrifice for the betterment of the world. but all your work- "
"Enough."
The old woman whirled about to face away from the airbender.
"I see I caught you at a bad time. I merely hoped to convey to you that you have a friend amidst these ash makers. One willing to stand with you when the time comes to wash our hands of their aid. Perhaps you should get some sleep. Maybe you'll be more agreeable then."
Toriel watched the woman walk off. Her fear for the future growing ever stronger.
Thank the spirits it wasn't a full moon.
….
"Lady Noriko? Might I help you?"
The woman jumped. She didn't see captain Undyne when she walked to the top of the hill. The one-eyed woman was sitting on a rock overlooking the tent.
"Oh, there's nothing lady Undyne. I didn't actually know you were up here. I simply came to think. Hard to do surrounded by so many bodies."
"I see we feel the same. So many bodies make me think of battle. Keeps me on edge."
Noriko didn't respond to that and simply sat next to her. What did she know of battle? What could she say? Undyne ended up breaking the somewhat awkward silence.
"You're debating what to do about the fire prince, right?"
"Am I that readable?"
"I sympathize with your inner conflict. Personally, I think you should try to talk the king out of it."
"You don't think they deserve a chance at redemption?"
Undyne made an annoyed sigh.
"I don't think it matters if they do. Their people aren't going to open up to us even if those two do. We've learned that the hard way."
Noriko bit her lip, wondering whether to press this point. Fortunately, Undyne did it for her.
"You know the story, right? About the king's son?"
"Asriel, correct? He was killed by Fire Nation soldiers, if I recall."
"It's more than that." Undyne rubbed her forehead.
"He made friends with an old man. A fire Nation man."
Noriko's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Asriel always had a desire to see the world beyond the temple. Always curious and hoping to see more. One day, he got his wish. He snuck out during curfew and found himself in a fire nation encampment."
"That's… my greatest fear. The idea of my Kiyi captured by those savages."
"You and every parent, I'm sure. And it came true for the king and queen."
Queen Toriel, Noriko thought. The wife of Asgore who had disappeared some years prior to her arrival to the temple.
"Fortunately, as he told it, he did not make his airbending abilities known. He simply dodged and ducked as a nomad would. But they still captured him and…"
The captain shuddered. Clearly not wanting to go into specifics.
"One old man showed him kindness. Apparently, he recognized his movements as those of an air nomad."
Noriko inhaled sharply.
"But he didn't rat him out. He helped him escape. He kept silent his inheritance and escorted him out."
Undyne clenched her fists as she lay them upon her legs.
"It turns out, that old man was once a friend to the air nomads."
She looked at Noriko as if expecting her to not believe her ears. Noriko didn't do that. After all, she was a fire nation citizen who'd befriended airbenders.
"He knew things about our culture. Things even we didn't know. He took great delight in conversing with us about the old us. How we used to be. Used to live."
"What was his name," Noriko asked?
"Kuzon. He'd been forcefully conscripted as a young boy. But he never forgot his days with our ancestors. Of course, this didn't matter at first when Asriel brought him home."
"He brought a fire nation man to the temple?"
"We couldn't believe it either. Most of us wanted him executed the moment he stepped inside. But Asriel was insistent. And this man…" she sighed.
"Kuzon, "she finally said. "Was in tears the moment he saw more of us. He thought every one of our kind had been exterminated. He was overjoyed he claimed. He wanted to be part of this. To leave behind his life of violence and stay with us."
"And… he did?"
"He did. He told us much of the outside World. The Fire nation military in particular. In return…"
Undyne shook her head.
"I hated it. He was treated like a king. Like some new son. As if he hadn't spent most of his life hunting innocents. Butchering and destroying the land."
Her hands shook.
"But Asriel loved him. His family loved him. Asgore thought this was a good sign. If he could make one enemy see the error of his ways surely the rest could follow suit. Right?"
"But he'd already been friends with the air nomads. He knew the truth about them."
"Exactly what I argued. But it took his death to make Asgore see reason."
"His death? From fire soldiers?"
"No. Heart attack. He went into a coma. All our efforts to fix it failed. So, Asriel…"
Undyne took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"He carried his body out of the temple. I have no idea how he found the strength to do so. Or how he got out. It's my greatest shame. If I'd been more aware. More alert." She took another deep breath.
"He found his way to a settlement under Fire nation control. He pleaded them to help him. They thought he'd killed Kuzon. So…"
Her hands shook.
"By the time we arrived, there was nothing we could do. Nothing save slaughter. Death to every bag of flesh."
The two didn't speak for a time. They merely looked out over the field of tents.
"The upside of that tragedy if you can call it that, is it motivated us. Until then, our plan had been mere survival. To hold back extinction until we gained the means to live in peace once again. Asriel's death changed that. We had a new purpose. Revenge. Revenge against the world and those who'd taken everything from us before we were even born." She inhaled before continuing.
"The king told me not to reveal this story to the avatar."
"What? Why not?"
"Because I think he regrets how we've turned out. I think he envies the kind of lifestyle our ancestors lived. He never wanted a military. An army. But that's what he got." Undyne unclenched her hands and looked at the many battle scars that lined it.
"The avatar reminded him of that. His innocence and awareness of the past touched him. He wants to keep that dream alive. And he thinks the avatar can be the harbinger of that dream. The boy hates violence just like Asgore. With his power, he could be more than an avatar of the four elements, but one of change."
"Is that such a terrible thing? Would a less militant air nation not be better suited to this world? Not be better to bring balance and peace to the four nations?"
Undyne chuckled at that.
"You're from the Fire Nation aren't you, Lady Noriko? Or whatever your true name is. You know your people better than we do. Ask yourself. Do you think they deserve peace and balance? Do you think they deserve a second chance?"
Noriko stared, afraid of saying the wrong thing.
"Don't answer. Your answer doesn't matter. Mine is the same. They don't deserve it. Not after all they've done. All they've denied us. They don't deserve a happy ending. And they won't get it. My opinion? The only way they could bring balance is with their death."
Noriko bit her lip, trying not to show her fear.
….
"Hey uh Sans? Can you scare a few soldiers?"
Papyrus' brother stared at him like he'd asked him to cut off his own hand.
"They're harassing some citizens. We're here to keep order I thought."
Sans sighed.
"how about you deal with it?"
"Excuse me?"
"you want to be a captain's guard don't you? this is a good opportunity to show your mettle."
"But they don't… really respect me. Can't you just do your thing?"
"why would I?"
Papyrus blinked several times.
"Why wouldn't you?"
"we have to stay on the good side of the earth kingdom military. it matters more what they think don't you agree?"
Papyrus's eyebrows raised and he shook his head to make sure he'd heard right.
"You mean do nothing? Let them abuse innocents?"
"they're fire nation brother. i hardly think of them as innocents."
"These aren't soldiers! They're citizens! Just like that girl! They haven't- "
"that girl who kidnapped you? interesting definition of innocent."
"If we're treating her town like a prison, can you blame her?"
Sans opened his mouth again but stopped before any words passed from his mouth. He just shrugged and turned away. Papyrus wasn't done though.
"Why do you always do this?"
"do what?"
"Apathy. You never want to address any challenges. Never want to work. Never want to make anything better."
Sans frowned and moved to speak, but Papyrus beat him to it.
"That trip around the world we took? I know you lied about its purpose. I didn't. I really wanted to see everything. Learn more about the world wee intended to save. You? You just wanted to run from our problems. I might have been looking for the avatar. But you sure weren't. That we found him at all was a total coincidence."
Sans wanted to speak but Papyrus wouldn't stop.
"Even now as we're trying to rebuild our society, here you are selling hot dogs. Hot dogs!"
Sans recoiled from Papyrus' sudden volume raise.
"You just don't care! About any of this! You don't care who wins! You don't care who dies! You're so far gone, you don't even care about me!"
"papyrus, that's enough!"
"No! Don't you raise your voice at me now! Not after all this time! We have a chance to make things better for everyone, and you don't wanna take it!"
He turned and began to walk away.
"You're not going to change. I'm done waiting for you to. I'll do it myself. Thanks for nothing."
Sans walked him walk off with hidden sadness.
"poor brother. it's pointless to try. you'll just fail sooner or later."