Note: I'm sorry to leave you guys hanging, but you're not gonna hear more about the Four Beasts Prophecy for a bit. Please be patient with me, I promise it will be worth it.
Chapter Two: Life in a cage
Momo and Appa got a rude awakening to their naps. A sudden flurry of yells and shouts buffeted them. The two shot up, only to be forced down with the weight of nets.
"Alright," directed Tanzo, in his usual bossy manner, "secure the ends to trees, make sure they're nice and tight. We don't want that bison breaking free."
Appa tried to do just that. Bellowing with rage, he strained against his bonds. But Tanzo and his men had prepared for this. Sharp spikes and thorns were tied to the inside of the ropes. They cut into Appa as he tried to break free.
The great behemoth cried out, and ceased his efforts to escape.
"Appa!" Momo clung to his friend in fear. The lemur ran his fingers over the bison's hide, fingering the cuts. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked.
"I think so," Appa reassured his buddy, "It hurts, but I've had worse."
"Bring forth the cage!" Tanzo ordered.
"What is he saying?" Momo questioned. The little creature hadn't been around humans very long, and didn't understand more than the most basic phrases. Appa, on the other hand, had been with Aang most of his life, and knew exactly what they were saying.
"It looks like were going to be put in a cage."
An iron box of gigantic proportions was wheeled forth. The group of men herded both the beasts into it, and slammed the door. Appa and Momo were trapped.
Tanzo turned to his boss, Leizuy, and said, "It looks like they're not going anywhere."
"Good," snapped Leizuy, and then said in a sinister voice, "Make sure they don't have any chance of escape, or I'll feed you to Grae Jumsho."
Tanzo nodded weakly, and then dashed off to make sure he didn't become lunch.