Thank you so much for all your reviews. I will make sure and include Talon in one of my future chapters. For now, though, I am unable to fit him in.
Disclaimer: I don't own it, you don't own it, he doesn't own it. You catch my drift.
Chapter 5: A rescue attempt
Aang sat by the river, his chin cupped in his hands. Red blotches were under his eyes, as if he had recently been crying. Katara walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll find them," she said, putting confidence into her voice.
Aang nodded, not looking up.
"Oh, come on, stop worrying," Sokka said, and, ignoring a murderous look from Katara, continued, "those two will be fine. We should stop the moping and start looking for them."
"You're right," Aang declared, standing up, "if we want to find them, we should start looking."
The three kids fanned out, searching the area for clues.
"Pick up the pace people, no slacking!" Tanzo hollered.
The traveling zoo was being loaded up, and the biggest of the animals (including Appa) were hitched to several cages like oxen.
"Sir," said Tanzo, turning to his superior, "where are we headed next?"
"We'll follow the river to where it empties into the sea. I've arranged for a boat to take us to our next…destination."
With that the man strode off proudly.
"I hope it's not hot today," Momo complained, "If it is I'll die."
Appa snorted and said, "Well, at least you don't have to pull."
Being the largest and most capable of any of the animals, Appa was hooked up to a long line of cages. A heavy leather harness secured him to his load, making escape impossible.
"Move out!" bellowed Tanzo.
And before he could stop it, Appa found himself being prodded forward. Grunting, the bison put his weight into the harness and dragged his burden forward.
"This is going to be a long day," he mumbled.
"Aang, Sokka, come quick!" Katara called from the top of a bluff bordering the river.
"What is it?" asked Sokka.
They looked towards where Katara was pointing. On the bank of the river there was what appeared to be a procession of cages, marching slowly towards the sea. In front, leading the line was a large figure that was impossible to mistake, even from a distance.
"Appa!" the three friends said in unison.
"And where there's Appa, there's got to be Momo," Katara pointed out.
"Well, what are we doing waiting around here for," Aang implored, "let's go ask for them back!"
Ever the skeptic, Sokka held Aang back and said, "That may not be a very good idea. Look at those cages. Those animals are being held there against their will, and I don't think those people, whoever they are, are going to be willing to give them back."
"Hey, it's not going to hurt to ask!" Aang chirped as he ran down the hill.
Katara and Sokka followed after. In no time at all they had caught up with the traveling zoo.
"Excuse me," Aang addressed a finely clothed man, "may I speak to whoever's in charge?"
The man looked them up and down before replying, "That would be me. Lord Granski Leizuy, of the Fire Nation, at your service. What can I do for you?"
He held out his hand. Aang shook it tentatively, almost wary. If this man was Fire Nation then he might be dangerous.
Choosing his words carefully Aang said, "Well, you see, sir, I just happened to notice you have a flying bison, and, well-"
"You stole him from us and we want him back," Sokka growled.
"Is that wonderful beast yours? Why, I had no idea!" Leizuy exclaimed, "Tanzo!"
Tanzo rushed forward and saluted Leizuy.
"What can I do for you, sir?"
"It appears we have collected this young man's bison by accident, and they would like him back," the Lord's voice was all politeness as he said it, but there was an evil glimmer in the back of his eye.
"Yes sir, I'll get right on that," he said. Then, turning to the three, he barked, "Come with me."
Aang flashed Sokka an I told you so look. Dumbfounded, Sokka followed them. He had been sure it wasn't going to be this easy.
They trotted towards the front of the line, catching up to Appa. Tanzo turned to them and gave a small nod. Aang, Katara and Sokka slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Good work," Tanzo said, speaking to the three men with slingshots, "that was excellent aiming."
Momo began shrieking, and Appa halted, nostrils flaring. The two gazed hopelessly at their friends, lying on the ground. Aang had a trickle of blood running down the back of his head where the rock had hit him.
"Make sure they're tied securely. When they wake up," Tanzo paused, sneering dramatically, "feed them to Grae Jumsho."
From the cage behind his Momo heard Tanya gasp.
Alright, so sorry if it got a little confusing right there at the end. I hope it made sense. Please review, and make sure to read the next chapter!