Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar world, that is all owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
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Chapter 29
A Reason To Live Part 1
Wikilow spent a lot of time alone in the weeks after Elsi's death. Meditating, training, and watching Gale. Of course he talked with Arlo and the Beifong family. The cirque had tackled Wikilow into an unforgiving embrace once in the early morning. Sobbing into his uniform as he grieved their lost air bender. The Avatar sat down with his family another evening, mourning Elsi together. His mask had disappeared in front of them. But he kept a stoic facade up for the rest of the Resistance. There was an unsurprising small amount of people who shed tears for Elsi. Many had lost friends, lovers, and family themselves. Collectively, they grieved for the dead.
However, they still had a job to do.
The operation had been a resounding success. There were few areas that still hosted the Dai Li. Pressure from the numerous Resistance wins causing those remaining to scatter. Corrupt officials were imprisoned, those brainwashed were in the process of recovery. The last big city under the Dai Li's control was Ba Sing Se. Which the Resistance had purposefully saved for last as to utilize their full strength. Ba Sing Se housed the Dai Li's headquarters and recruitment centre. So the historical city had maintained the highest number of agents, even during Kang City's increased defences.
It would be their most difficult challenge yet. But if they pulled it off, the Dai Li as the world knew it would finally be finished. And that end goal fuelled the Resistance's motivations for one final battle.
Wikilow stealthily crept through the shadows of Ba Sing Se's upper ring. Making his way to the Dai Li's headquarters. His mind wandered toward a conversation he had the previous day.
*Flashback*
Wikilow was making one last patrol around the base. It was a pointless task though. Most of the Resistance spending their time in Kang City. Also, if they won at Ba Sing Se, the cave would become effectively obsolete. Yet Wikilow rarely went on rounds around the city or generally appear to the public. Sure, he made some long speeches. But, he couldn't bring himself to leave the cave.
The Avatar tried justifying this. He really wasn't needed out there. The Resistance by themselves were on an unstoppable win streak. His help would at best, save a few hours. Wikilow had also noticed the odd looks people were giving him. His status had become common knowledge. But, not many outside of the Resistance knew Wikilow's past. People were undoubtedly asking questions about why he wore the Dai Li's uniform.
The uniform… he would have to get rid of it sooner or later…
Soon, the Dai Li would officially go down in history as an enemy to the peace. Enemies, no good scoundrels. Just another villain in the world's memory. More then three centuries of potential gone to waste.
The thought saddened Wikilow. The Dai Li, his uniform had been who he was. They had been his idea and symbol of order and everything right in the world. It had all been a lie, a horrible no good lie. Making that part of him a lie as well. And lies were so easily broken.
There was also Elsi. They had spent so much time together in the base. With security not being that big of an issue. Wikilow had often found himself sitting on the mountain ledges. Staring up at the blank sky. Thinking, reexamining, and reviewing the past, present, and future. He couldn't let go yet.
Sighing, the Avatar continued through empty tunnel after empty tunnel. Another time he would've gone out no matter how small the efficiency was. Wikilow felt like he was failing in fulfilling his duty as the Avatar. Putting his own wants before the peoples. Or was he right in taking some days off? Right or wrong? It was all so confusing to him.
Wikilow entered the main cave, the entrance still carelessly open with no one around. There weren't many people at the base. Mainly just those who stayed behind to keep it running. Hark for some reason was still kept inside. Even though other prisoners had been transported to Kang City's prison. The Avatar believed Bara was planning something for when things finally settled. Yulan and Arlo too spent a lot of time in the cave to talk to both Hark and Wikilow.
But those three weren't anywhere to be seen. Two people played Pai Sho off to the cave's side. But an older man wearing a tan hat was present. Someone who Wikilow knew was not part of the Resistance. However, he did recognize him.
He had been there when Elsi died, unconscious with two others.
The man saw Wikilow and immediately dashed toward him. He in turn, stiffened at their arrival.
"Uh, hello." The man awkwardly greeted, extending his hand.
"Sir." Wikilow acknowledged, politely but slowly taking it for a short handshake. "What is the reason for your visit?" He then asked, hands behind his back. A flash of guilt spread across the man's face, his shoulders slumping as he took a deep breath.
"…Cutting to the chase, huh? Well, you're Avatar Wikilow, right?" The man quietly asked.
"Correct." The younger of the two replied.
"Good, that's good… I-I don't know if you remember me. I'm kind of basing this off of stuff someone else told me, but-oh-" The man stammered, but Wikilow could surmise their point.
"You were present but unconscious when Elsi, an air bender and a close relation of mine was killed. Is that what you are trying to explain, sir?" The Avatar questioned, forcing his voice to be monotone. The man blinked, biting his lip before nodding.
"Yeah, I take it you remember then…" The man confirmed.
"Correct." Wikilow answered.
"…Okay-well… me-me and my wife are very sorry!" The man quickly ushered, deeply bowing to Wikilow's surprise.
"…Sorry?" He quietly repeated, tilting his head.
"It's our fault the poor girl died! She went out to save us…we're all very sorry. Our youngest doesn't quite understand. B-but our older kids started asking questions and-we're all sorry, Avatar!" The man rambled, slightly trembling.
"Sir-" Wikilow tried to say, but he continued.
"We agreed the kids shouldn't come. As it's mostly our fault for staying inside and-and she has to look after them so I came alone-" The man went but Wikilow interrupted.
"Sir!" The Avatar sternly addressed, causing him to stop. The two people in the corner looked at them. Then slowly and discreetly packed their game and left. He allowed the silence to settle before speaking. "Sir, what is your name?" Wikilow asked.
"My name? I'm Mu Shi, Avatar Wikilow." Mu Shi answered.
"Mr. Shi, I do not blame any of you for Elsi's… death. The thought never occurred to me." Wikilow calmly assured, though his hand clenched at her mention. "The one at fault is the Dai Li. They are the ones who murdered her. They are the reason she is dead." Wikilow coldly explained.
"That's… thank you, Avatar Wikilow." Mu Shi expressed with a sigh. "…I hope you and the rest of the Resistance are holding up alright. You've probably heard this hundreds of times already but, we can't thank you enough." The older man thanked with a short laugh.
"Thanking me is unnecessary. The support the people have given us is more than enough." Wikilow stated, face blank.
"Good to hear. I-I guess I'll be off then. Have a great day and good luck, Avatar!" Mu Shi eventually said, giving another respectful bow before exiting the cave. Leaving Wikilow alone in the base.
*Flashback End*
The Avatar watched the headquarters, waiting for Arlo's signal to begin. There were large patrols surrounding the perimeter, which would take much time to deal with. Some deserting agents from other towns had travelled to the city as well.
"The one at fault is the Dai Li." Wikilow repeated in his mind. This fight went beyond obligation, it had become personal. There was crackling and fizzles in the sky. Fireworks had been launched, his signal. The Avatar revealed himself and ran forward, taking down three agents simultaneously. Launching rocks at their throats before they could react. With a powerful burst of wind he launched himself into the air. Leaping over another group of agents and landing in front of the entrance. His impact with the ground shaking the earth.
The other agents in the area hastily moved to engage him. However, they were caught off guard by other Resistance members. The city erupted into chaos once more. Some stayed to fight the agents outside. But Wikilow and those remaining would take the headquarter's interior.
Wikilow's target was the Director, Zhou Qing.
He entered the Avatar state.
The Avatar swept the windowless hallways, defeating swarms of agents. Though, something strange occurred after a few minutes. The Dai Li surrendered. One, a fairly young recruit frantically backed up against the building's wall. Not even putting up a fight. At least it streamlined his progress, making them easier to dispatch. He knew exactly where to find the Director. Location confirmed by a sheepish receptionist on the ground level. Despite his time away from the Dai Li, Wikilow knew the place like the back of his hand.
He had lived there after all.
Wikilow momentarily lingered in the direction of his former quarters and training room. The Avatar's head swayed for a second. But he steadied himself and focused on his mission. The Director's office was located on the top floor, overlooking the city. He had checked with seismic sensing that they were present. It appeared the Director had many agents defending him inside.
He reached the ornate doors. Breath caught in his throat, and for some reason he backed away. Why was he hesitating? Wikilow shook the feeling off, and charged in.
The Director wasn't present. The agents launched a huge assault on him which Wikilow easily dismantled. Afterwards, they too just backed down. The agents had lost the will to fight. Wikilow tilted his head at their actions, before moving on. The Director had installed a proxy distraction in his place. Wearing a cheap knockoff of his usual garments.
"We don't know where he is!" The proxy hysterically told him, hands erratically moving across his face. "He told us to take you down when the Resistance arrived then left! We don't know anything!" The Dai Li agents corroborated this.
"…I see." Wikilow stated with a nod. "Who did the Director take with him?" He interrogated, white eyes ominously glowing. The proxy paled.
"A-around t-thirty of h-his most l-loyal and experienced f-fighters!" They stammered out.
"Understood." The Avatar finished, knocking the proxy out with a punch to the chest. He gave one last look to the wary agents before him. Silently threatened them to stay down. Wikilow swiftly exited the chamber and blew open a hole in the wall. Passing some fellow Resistance members who would take care of those inside. Gale met him by the hole, wings open. He proceeded to fly off in an air tornado toward the forests.
He had a hypothesis on where Director Zhou Qing was.
—
Rin, Arlo, and Yulan were standing around in the business district. Organizing things while confusedly looking at their gathered hostages. The agents there had also surrendered without a fight. Rin kept watch, menacingly twirling her spear before them. Her eyes briefly wandered toward a small boiling pot of water in some house. She had yet to accept her water bending back. Wikilow had offered, multiple times. But her response to every single one was "later."
When later was. Well, only Rin knew.
Rin had acquainted herself with the main Resistance. Who had accepted her without problem. Wikilow vouched for her after all. Arlo filled her in on what happened when she first left Wikilow and Elsi. She in turn shared her own experience to her former partner. Leaving out a few personal details of course.
She had taken up spear training in her free time. Showing some of the other Resistance members how to properly wield the weapon. Rin it turns out, had a carefree and lax approach to teaching. In comparison to the unforgiving routine she imposed on her students. It was an understatement to say she had made an impression on the group. A certain cirque in particular, though he would never admit it, had become slightly intimidated.
"This… this is kind of underwhelming…" Arlo was saying by Yulan as another group was lead in. "I mean, it's great that no one's being killed. But, I thought they would fight back… not just give up." The fire bender expressed. Yulan nodded, tapping her goggles in thought. Rin moved to speak up. However, a sudden explosion went off behind the two engineers.
Arlo yelped as someone wrestled him to the ground. Yulan yelled something, and pulled their aggressor away. The Beifong girl hissed as they sliced her arm with a hidden blade. It was a Dai Li agent, angrily shouting to the hostages. They began forming a bending stance. Unfortunately for them, Arlo instantly swiped their legs out from under them. The fire bender didn't hesitate, he was taking no chances after Elsi's demise. Getting on top of the agent, Arlo shocked them unconscious. Letting out a relieved sigh when it was done.
Absolutely no one noticed the waves of hot air that leapt with Arlo's movements…
Rin hurriedly jogged over and helped the two to their feet. Yulan coughed as the dust cleared away, people had rushed in to inspect the damage.
"We're fine…" The Beifong girl waved off, stepping back. "Did you catch what they were saying? I couldn't hear with the ringing in my ears?" Yulan asked, raising a hand to her head.
"I was focused on knocking them out, so no." Arlo denied.
"They were trying to tell the agents to get up and fight. Something about missing a signal." Rin was able to answer, watching the attacking agent get dragged off. "The agents we have didn't even look at them." She added, glancing at the resigned hostages. Some even looked bored by the commotion.
"Why would-" Yulan tried to ask.
"There would be no point in fighting any longer and throwing away their lives. The Dai Li know they've lost. This isn't a nation, it's a system that can't give them anything more." Rin dryly explained. She could relate, having used that very system for years.
—
Wikilow flew above the green canopies, intently looking through the pockets for Director Zhou. But for some reason, his insides were twisting as he searched. Why did he feel like his mind wasn't completely with him? However, he would dwell on it later. A flash in the corner of his eye caught Wikilow's attention. The sun was reflecting off something metallic.
"There he is." Wikilow thought, zooming in to find Director Zhou and those loyal to him in a large clearing. A small river nearby the location. The Avatar positioned himself to strike, but the strange feeling returned, stopping him midair. "Stop…" Echoed through his mind. His eyes widened. What was that? Wikilow felt… guilty about going against the Director. Guilty about going against the Dai Li. It felt wrong, but he was right, right?
He had always obeyed the Director. Done every task asked of him without question. The Director was an imposing man. Powerful and intimidating gestures looming over the entire Dai Li. The Director was like an unstoppable river that was accommodated to. It was like he walked on top of the world.
His eyes wavered from white to green.
Could Wikilow fight him?
He was fighting his own mind. The Director wasn't a bender or warrior, he was in no way a fighter. But Wikilow somehow felt powerless against him. Gale worriedly flew around his head. Trying to get the young man to respond. The Avatar felt his shaking head, nauseous.
Then Wikilow remembered Elsi, her beautiful memory and all those before her. Those dead because of the Dai Li. Dead because of him, some directly from his own hands. Wikilow's resolve solidified and his doubt cleared away.
He had a reason to fight.
The Avatar rushed down, using his momentum to stomp one agent into the dirt. There were six-teen additional agents and the Director himself to fight. A barrage of earthen gloves rained down. Wikilow bended the earth to form a shield, blocking the attack. With a spinning kick of fire, a female agent dodged and tried to chi block him. Wikilow jumped back and kicked them down with a wind torrent. Wikilow spun around, forming a water dome around himself. He was able to smack a couple of agents away with the liquid tendrils.
There was something different about Wikilow.
There was something behind each and every one of his attacks.
There was feeling.
Feeling coursing through his veins and mind.
Wikilow was bending with feeling.
Freezing the water, he shot icicles at his opponents. While they dodged his attack, he took out another two agents with simultaneous bolts of lightning. The spirit bird created openings for him. Gale rapidly flew around the clearing, loudly screeching to distract the agents.
An agent tried to flee. A look of annoyance on the Director's face at their attempt. But it was no good, Wikilow flashed before them and knocked them out with a swift chop to the neck. There were two other agents behind him. With an accelerated backwards leap he landed a kick to one's neck. With another flip he pushed the other into the ground.
The Avatar finished the rest of the agents off with a large wind storm. Blowing his opponents into trees, against rocks and the ground. Soon, it was just Wikilow and the Director. Gale circled above, watching the action.
The Director had backed away when the fighting had started. A calm, calculating expression on their snake like features. Zhou Qing still wore his expensive clothing that signified his position. Even when his agents went down, he had the demeanour of a victor, of someone in control. It was unsettling. His presence alone made the forests atmosphere grow colder.
There was a malicious glint in his eyes.
"Avatar…" The Director began saying. And something in Wikilow froze, something was wrong. Time slowed down as the Director said his next sentence. "The Dai Li alone controls the spirits." The Director darkly announced.
Wikilow was pulled into darkness…
—
Authors Note: I know the code phrase isn't that good. But, I couldn't think of anything else. Also, I'm realizing Wikilow could've done a large scale Avatar state attack from the start. However, I feel that would've been to short. And it was kind of plot convenient for him to know where to go without explanation. Arlo slightly air bending is just something I think would happen eventually in the universe. That people would get to the point of being able to bend multiple elements without being the Avatar. It won't come up again, but I thought it would be good to put in. Two chapters left to go! Until next time!
