Chapter 3: Imprisoned
It was a lovely day in the Earth Kingdom. Aang, Katara, Neo, and Eli found themselves surrounded by a cluster of trees as they awaited Sokka's return with dinner. While they passed the time, Neo was helping Eli with his training by challenging him to a difficult exercise. Eli was practicing with his lightsaber while wearing a blindfold, and Neo was tossing rocks at him to enhance the exercise's difficulty.
"Master," Eli said, swatting a rock away. "Why are we starting with the basics? I've already learned this."
"I'm just gauging your abilities," Neo replied, throwing another rock at Eli. "This is how Master Clouse began my training. Once I'm sure you're ready, we'll move on to the next set. But for now, keep going."
Neo kept throwing rocks at Eli until he noticed Sokka approaching.
"Let's call it a day, Eli. Sokka's back," Neo said.
"Great, what's for dinner?" Aang asked.
"We've got a few options," Sokka said, placing the bag he was carrying on the ground. "There are round nuts, oval-shaped nuts, and some rock-shaped nuts that might just be rocks. Dig in."
"You're nuts if you think these nuts are going to feed us," Neo scoffed, inspecting the nuts.
"Seriously, what else do you have?" Katara asked.
While this was happening, Momo picked up the rock that Sokka had discarded and banged it against a larger rock, producing a loud boom.
"What's that?" Sokka questioned.
"Either that rock is magical, or Momo has learned earthbending," Eli commented, as another deafening boom was heard.
"It's coming from over there," Aang pointed out, and the group quickly headed towards the sound, except for Sokka, who remained behind.
"Shouldn't we run away from the huge boom instead of towards it?" Sokka inquired.
"Sokka, come on," Neo ordered.
The group arrived at a fallen tree and spotted a teenage boy bending rocks.
"An earthbender," Katara uttered in amazement.
"Okay, so it wasn't Momo," Eli conceded.
"Let's go and introduce ourselves," Aang suggested.
"He appears to be dangerous... we should approach with caution," Sokka warned.
"You're paranoid," Neo retorted.
"I am not!" Sokka protested.
"Hello there, I'm Katara," Katara introduced herself, approaching the boy. "What's your name?"
But the boy became startled by Katara and ran away, using earthbending to block his path.
"Nice to meet you," Aang called out. "I just wanted to say hello."
"Hey," Eli greeted.
"That guy must be running somewhere. Perhaps we are close to a village," Neo speculated.
"And I bet that village has a marketplace," Aang exclaimed.
"Which means no nuts for dinner!" Katara rejoiced.
"Hey!" Sokka cried. "I worked hard to get those nuts!"
"Shut up, Sokka," Neo interjected.
"Yeah, I hate them too..."
Upon reaching the village, the group spotted the boy they saw earthbending earlier walking into a small store. Katara followed him inside and confronted him.
"Hey, you're that kid. Why did you run away before?" she asked.
The boy tried to play it off, saying, "Uh, I think you have me confused with someone else."
"No, she doesn't," Aang said as he walked in with a straw hat on. "We saw you earthbending."
The boy's mother was shocked to hear this and closed the door and window.
"They saw you doing what?" she asked her son.
"They're crazy, Mom. I mean, look how they're dressed," the boy tried to dismiss.
"But these are my favorite robes," Eli whispered to Neo, who hushed him.
"Haru, you know how dangerous that is," the boy's mother began. "You know what would happen if they caught you earthbending."
Suddenly, there was a banging on the door. Sokka looked through the window and saw Fire Nation troops.
"Fire Nation!" he said, alarmed.
"Act natural," Aang advised.
"Can you?" Neo asked sarcastically.
The troops entered the store and saw Haru and Sokka inspecting an apple, Katara eating berries, and Aang leaning on a barrel, only to fall in. Neo pinched his nose while Eli tried to hold his laughter.
"What do you want?" Haru's mother asked.
"I already paid you this week," she added.
"Your tax just doubled," the firebender said, creating a fireball, causing Neo to reach for his lightsaber.
"We wouldn't want an accident now, would we? Fire is so hard to control," the firebender continued.
Haru's mother reluctantly gave him the money, and the firebender left, saying, "You can keep the copper ones." Neo released his grip on his lightsaber.
"Nice guy," Sokka said.
"How long has it been like this?" Neo asked.
"Five years," Haru's mother replied. "Fire Lord Ozai uses this town's mine to fuel his ships."
"They're thugs," Haru commented. "They steal from us, and everyone is too much of a coward to do anything."
"Quiet, Haru, don't talk like that," his mother warned.
"But Haru's an earthbender. He can help," Katara said.
"Earthbending is forbidden. It has caused nothing but misery for this village. He must never use his abilities," his mother replied.
"How can you say that? Haru has a gift. Asking him not to earthbend is like asking me not to waterbend. It's a part of who we are," Katara argued.
"You don't understand," his mother said.
"I understand Haru can fight back. What can the Fire Nation do to you that they haven't done already?" Katara continued.
"They can take Haru away, like they took his father," Haru's mother revealed.
Katara heard this and immediately felt horrible.
After a few hours of travel, the group arrived at Haru and his mother's farm and decided to set up camp there for the night.
"My mother said you can stay here for the night," Haru said.
"But you should leave in the morning."
"Thank you," Aang replied.
"I'll make sure Appa doesn't eat all your hay."
Katara, Haru, and Neo then went for a walk.
"I'm sorry about what I said earlier," Katara said.
"I didn't know about your father."
"It's alright," Haru replied.
"It's funny. The way you were talking back at the store, it reminded me of him."
"Thanks."
"What was he like?" Neo asked.
"My father was very brave. When the Fire Nation invaded, he and the other earthbenders were outnumbered ten to one, but they still fought back."
"He sounds like a great man," Katara added.
"After the attack, they captured my father and the other earthbenders and took them away. We haven't seen them since."
"So that's why you hide your earthbending," Neo realized.
"Yes. The problem is the only way I can feel close to him now is when I practice my bending."
Haru started making two rocks float in mid-air before crushing them.
"He taught me everything I know," he said with a hint of sadness.
"See this necklace?" Katara asked, kneeling down next to him. "My mother gave it to me."
"It's beautiful," Haru commented.
"I lost my mother in a Fire Nation raid. This necklace is all I have left of her."
"It's not enough, is it?"
"No."
Off to the side, Neo was lost in thought. He had never experienced the pain of losing a parent. Though he had met his father once, during a visit to his home planet Kuat, he was still alive, and his home city had never been attacked. The closest memory he could recall was the night at the temple when Master Skywalker killed his own master, Clouse. It was the only moment in his life when he felt the pull of the dark side, but he pushed it away. He couldn't afford to think of Cel... no, never her.
Katara's voice calling out his name brought Neo back to reality.
"Neo, are you okay?" She asked, noticing his distant stare.
He shook his head, lost in thought. "I'm fine," he said, but his voice lacked conviction.
"Are you sure, Neo?"
Neo glanced between Katara and Haru before standing up. "Let's just head back," he said, walking away.
"What's up with him?" Haru asked.
Katara paused, considering Neo's situation. "Let's just follow him," she finally said, and the group set off after Neo.
Katara knew better than to push, so she let it go for the time being. As they walked, the group heard a loud crash and quickly made their way toward the source of the noise. They found an old man trapped under some rocks in a coal mine and immediately rushed over to help. While Katara tried to pull the man out, Haru and Neo held the rocks up.
"It's not working," Katara said, struggling.
"We have to get help."
"There's no time, pull harder," Haru exclaimed.
As the situation grew more desperate, Neo decided to take action. "Haru, I'll help you," he said.
"But you can't earthbend," Haru protested.
Neo simply smiled and released his grip on the rocks, stepping back and using the Force to make them float in mid-air. Haru was shocked.
"Now it's your turn," Neo said, struggling to maintain his concentration.
Haru hesitated for a moment, but Katara urged him on. "It's the only way, Haru," she said. "Please."
Haru got into a stance and bent the rocks down the mine, while Katara moved the old man to safety. Neo dropped the rocks with a grunt.
"How did you do that?" Haru asked, amazed.
"Let's just say I'm not from around here," Neo replied cryptically.
Katara looked at Neo with newfound respect. She didn't know much about the Force but knew enough to understand that it was a powerful tool. As they walked away from the mine, she couldn't help but wonder what else Neo was capable of.
Later that night, the group settled into the barn. Katara was lying on the ground, Sokka was sitting on some crates, Aang was resting on Appa, Eli was sleeping against Appa's furry side, and Neo had positioned himself against the only window in the barn.
Katara shared with the others what Haru had done earlier.
"That was really brave of Haru to use his earthbending to help that old man," she said.
"He must have been inspired by you, Neo," Aang complimented.
"I guess so," Neo replied.
"Okay, everyone needs to get some rest," Sokka ordered.
"We'll be leaving at dawn."
"Dawn? Can't we sleep in for once?" Aang complained.
"No, we can't," Sokka responded sternly. "This place is swarming with Fire Nation troops. If they find us here, we'll be toast."
"Unfortunately, Sokka's right," Neo agreed. "The longer we stay here, the greater the danger of being discovered. It's best we leave at first light."
After the group settled in for the night and eventually drifted off to sleep, Neo suddenly found himself consumed by a thick fog that enveloped him completely as he drifted off. The dense mist obscured his vision and he called out tentatively into the eerie emptiness, but no one answered. Just then, he turned around and came face to face with a ghastly sight – a girl's corpse that seemed to be still alive. Her hollow eyes stared at him accusingly as she spoke, "Why didn't you save me, Neo?" The weight of her words felt heavy on his chest, and he abruptly woke up, gasping for breath.
His heart was still racing as he tried to slow his breathing, but then he heard a sound that made him jump up. It was the sound of someone crying, and it was coming from outside. Neo stumbled towards the window and peered out, and there he saw Haru's mother, collapsed on her knees and wailing in despair. Without hesitation, he rushed out to join her and offer whatever comfort he could.
The following morning, Katara stepped outside to fetch some water for the next leg of their journey, and stumbled upon a heart-wrenching scene. She spotted Neo consoling Haru's mother, who was weeping uncontrollably. As soon as they noticed Katara, she could sense something was wrong, and the vase she was carrying slipped out of her hands and shattered on the ground.
Without hesitation, Katara darted back to the barn with Neo following close behind, her heart pounding in her chest. "They took him!" she exclaimed, barely able to catch her breath. "They took Haru away!"
A look of disbelief and horror spread across the faces of Aang, Eli, Sokka, and Neo. "What? How?" they questioned in unison.
"The old man turned him in, to the Fire Nation," Neo explained, his voice heavy with regret. "I forced him to bend earth, and now they have him."
Sokka turned to Neo, trying to keep a level head. "Slow down, let's think about this. When did they take him?"
"At midnight," Neo replied, his eyes filled with guilt.
"It's too late to track them down," Sokka replied, his tone solemn. "Haru's gone."
Katara marched over to the door, facing away from the group. "We don't have to track him down," she announced resolutely. "The Fire Nation is going to lead me straight to Haru."
Neo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in confusion. "How do you figure that?" he asked.
"Because they're going to arrest me for earthbending," Katara responded.
Eli cut in hesitantly. "Katara, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can't earthbend," he reminded her.
"But Neo might have an idea," she said, turning to him with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"I do," Neo said, smiling.
The group arrived at the mines where Neo explained his plan. "There are ventilation shafts throughout these mines," he said. "All Aang has to do is send an air current from that vent to this one, the boulder will levitate, and-"
Tada! Fake earthbending!" Sokka interjected.
"Did you get all that, Aang?" Katara asked.
"Sure, sure, I got it," Aang said, poofing air at a butterfly.
"Do you?" Neo asked.
"Yes."
"Then tell me what the plan is."
"Ummmm... Can we go over it again?" Aang requested.
Neo deadpanned.
"Just use airbending when Katara says 'earthbending style.'"
"Got it."
Sokka expressed concern, "I don't think you should go alone, Katara."
"She won't be," Neo said. "I'm going with her."
"I don't need protection from you," Katara argued.
"I didn't say you did. But Haru's mother said that the Fire Nation asked about me since I caused rocks to float too, so I'm just turning myself in."
"Here they come," Eli warned.
"Alright, everyone get to your places," Sokka ordered, excitement in his voice. "Remember, like we rehearsed."
As the Fire Nation troops came around the corner, Sokka and Katara ran into each other, ready to act out their plan.
"Get out of my way, pip-squeak," Sokka acted out.
"How dare you call me pip-squeak, you big-eared cretin," Katara retorted.
"What did you call me?" Sokka demanded, his voice rising.
"A giant, big-eared cretin. Look at those things. Do herds of animals use them for shade?"
"You better back off. Seriously. Back off," Sokka warned, his fists clenched.
"This is all too perfect," Neo laughed, watching the scene unfold.
"I will not back off," Katara continued to act. "I bet elephants get together and make fun of how big your ears are."
"That's it, you're going down," Sokka threatened, ready to take action.
"I'll show you who's boss, earthbending style," Katara yelled, but nothing happened.
"Earthbending style!" She yelled again, but still, nothing happened, causing Neo to pinch his nose and sigh in annoyance.
"I said, 'EARTHBENDING STYLE!'" Katar repeated, clearly frustrated.
"Aang, that's your cue," Eli whispered, and Aang sent a blast of air into the vent, causing the rock on the other side to float. Unfortunately, Momo was under the rock, making the Fire Nation troops think it was him.
"That lemur, he's earthbending," one of the troops said.
Neo facepalmed at their stupidity. "No, you idiot, it's the girl," Sokka explained.
"Oh... of course," the troop said, realizing his mistake.
"I'll hold her," another troop said, moving forward.
"Excuse me," Neo announced, coming out of his hiding place and spinning three rocks around in his hand using the force. "But I believe you've been looking for me. I'm the other earthbender who helped the old man yesterday at the mines."
"Take him as well," the head firebender ordered.
"You both have twelve hours to find Haru," Sokka whispered to Katara.
"We'll be right behind you."
The fire nation troops took Neo and Katara away, leaving the other boys alone. Sokka checked his ears and then looked at Momo.
"Momo, you have some big ears," he said.
"Leave him alone, Sokka," Eli retorted. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "Wait a minute, why did Aang have to airbend through the vents? Couldn't Neo or I have just used the force to lift the rocks?"
Sokka pondered for a moment before dismissing Eli's idea. "Just be quiet, Eli."
The trio arrived at the docks to bid farewell to Katara and Neo. As the pair were being escorted into the ship in a small wagon, Neo caught sight of Aang, Sokka, and Eli wearing hats and hooded robes, watching them from the docks.
Katara appeared uneasy, so Neo gently placed his hand on her wrist and whispered, "Don't worry, everything will be okay." They boarded the ship and set sail.
A few hours later, Aang, Sokka, and Eli followed on Appa, with Aang showing concern. "Katara will be alright, Aang," Sokka reassured him. "She knows what she's doing."
Eli added, "Plus, Neo is with her. He won't let anything happen."
Neo and Katara found themselves aboard a ship-building rig in the middle of the ocean. They were accompanied by other prisoners, and the warden welcomed them.
"Earthbenders," the warden began. "It is my pleasure to welcome you aboard my mining shipyard. I am your warden, and I prefer to think of you not as prisoners, but as honored guests. I hope you will come to think of me as your humble host. You will succeed here if you simply abide..."
But one of the prisoners interrupted with a cough, causing the warden to launch a fireball at the prisoner and make him lose his balance.
"WHAT KIND OF GUEST DISHONORS HIS HOST BY INTERRUPTING HIM?" The warden shouted. The warden then regained his composure. "Take him below. One week in solitary will improve his manners," he commanded.
After the prisoner was taken away, the warden continued. "Simply treat me with the courtesy I treat you, and we'll get along famously."
The warden then gave the prisoners, including Neo and Katara, a tour of the rig.
"You will find, earthbenders," he continued. "That this rig is made entirely out of metal. You are miles away from any rock or stone, so if you have any illusions about employing that brutish savagery that passes for bending among your people, forget them. It is impossible. Good day."
The warden then walked away, and the prisoners, including Neo and Katara, went through the gate that led into the main yard. After they went inside, the gates closed behind them.
"OK, let's find Haru and get out," Neo said.
Katara nodded. The duo wandered around the rig until Haru saw them.
"Katara? Neo?" he said.
"Haru!" Katara replied.
"What are you two doing here?"
"It's our fault you were captured."
"So we came to rescue you," Neo added.
"So you got yourselves arrested?"
"It was the only way to find you," Katara responded.
"You've both got guts, I'll give you that. Come on, there's someone I want you to meet."
Haru escorted them to a cluster of men and introduced them to an elderly, sage-like gentleman.
"Everyone, this is my father, Tyro," Haru announced. "Father, meet Katara and Neo."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Katara said, inclining her head.
Neo also bowed respectfully.
"Please, do join us for supper," Tyro extended his invitation.
Katara took a serving bowl and immediately recoiled when she saw the unappetizing food.
"I'm good," Neo kindly declined.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Tyro said.
Katara took a bite of the food and found it to be less than appetizing.
"It's still pretty bad though," Tyro laughed.
"Tyro," one of the prisoners called out. "The prisoners are complaining there aren't enough blankets to go around."
"I'll talk to the guards. In the meantime, make sure the elderly are taken care of. The rest of us will simply have to hope for warmer weather."
"If you don't mind me asking...," Katara began. "What's your escape plan?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know, the plan to get everyone off the rig. What is it? Mutiny? Sabotage?"
"There is no plan, is there?" Neo asked.
"The plan?" Tyro began. "The plan is to survive. To wait out this war and hope that some of us will make it back home and forget this ever happened."
"How can you say that?" Katara demanded. "You sound like you've already given up."
'Because they have,' Neo thought, looking at the prisoners and seeing their faces.
"Katara, I admire your courage," Tyro said. "And I envy your youth, but people's lives are at stake here. The warden is a ruthless man, and he won't stand for any rebellion. I'm sorry."
"We'll see about that," Katara said, standing up and walking toward the food stand.
"What is she doing?" Haru asked.
"Remember when I told you that Katara was strong-willed?" Neo asked.
"Yeah?"
"Well, she's also stubborn."
Katara grabbed a spoon and banged it against a pot, getting everyone's attention.
"Earthbenders!" she began. "You may not know me, but I know of you. Every child in my Water Tribe village was rocked to sleep with stories of the brave Earth Kingdom and the courageous Earthbenders who guard its borders. Some of you may think that the Fire Nation has made you powerless. Yes, they may have taken away your ability to bend, but they can't take away your courage. It is your courage they should fear because it runs deeper than any mine you've been forced to dig or any ocean that keeps you far from home. It is the strength of your hearts that makes you who you are, hearts that will remain unbroken when all rocks and stones have eroded away. The time to fight back is now. I can tell you that the Avatar has returned. So remember your courage, Earthbenders. Let us fight for our freedom!"
Katara's words echoed through the valley, but the Earthbenders remained motionless, staring at the ground with a look of defeat. Despite her passionate speech, it seemed like they had given up.
Feeling discouraged, Katara turned to Neo, hoping for some reassurance. "Why won't they fight back?" she asked.
Neo sighed and walked up to her. "Look at their faces," he said, gesturing toward the unmoving crowd. "Those are the faces of those who have lost hope. This was a waste of time."
Katara felt a lump form in her throat as she watched Neo walk away. She couldn't give up, not now. She had to find a way to ignite the spark of courage in these Earthbenders, to give them a reason to fight back.
Later that night, Aang landed Appa near the rig while Eli used a device to signal Neo. A small blue light flashed back, indicating that Neo had seen the signal. Neo put away his device and went to wake up Katara, and the two of them snuck over to where the others were.
"The twelve hours are up. Where's Haru?" Sokka asked.
"We need to get out of here," Neo said calmly.
"I can't," Katara replied.
"We don't have time for this," Neo stated firmly.
"There are guards everywhere," Sokka whispered.
"Get on," Neo ordered, gesturing to Appa.
"Katara, what's wrong?" Aang inquired.
"I'm not leaving. I'm not giving up on these people," Katara said resolutely.
"What do you mean you're not leaving?" Sokka demanded.
"We can't abandon these people. There has to be a way to help them," Katara replied.
"Katara, they don't want help," Neo declared. "They've given up and are too scared to do anything about it. This was a waste of time."
"How can you say that? You're a Jedi!" Eli protested.
"Up until four weeks ago, you three didn't even know what a Jedi was, let alone that there was life on other planets," Neo pointed out.
"Maybe she's right," Aang said.
"Of course, you agree with her," Sokka scoffed.
"I agree with Katara," Eli declared.
"Eli!" Neo berated.
"No, Master, Katara's right. We can't just abandon these people. It's not the Jedi way, and Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, or even Master Clouse would never back down and run, so why should we?" Eli argued.
Neo looked between Eli, Katara, and Aang and eventually relented with a sigh.
"Fine. We'll help them," he said.
"You're all crazy," Sokka muttered. "Last chance! We need to leave, now!"
"No!" Katara stated.
"I hate when you get like this," Sokka grumbled.
Suddenly, the group saw guards approaching from around the corner.
"Come on, we need to hide," Neo said, taking charge of the situation.
Aang ordered Appa to take off while the group hid behind some crates.
"So, what's the plan?" Neo asked Katara.
"I wish I could make a hurricane," Aang said, causing everyone to stare at him in disbelief. "The warden would run away and leave his keys behind."
"But wouldn't the warden just take his keys with him?" Sokka questioned.
"I'm just brainstorming," Aang replied.
"We'll keep trying, but that's a good backup plan," Neo said.
"How come that's a good backup plan, but Rocky wasn't?" Sokka asked.
"Because Rocky was a ridiculous suggestion, Coco," Neo retorted.
"Don't call me Coco!" Sokka protested.
"Guys!" Katara interrupted. "Can you two argue later?"
"Sorry," they both said before glancing at each other annoyed.
"I tried talking the Earthbenders into fighting, but it didn't work," Katara said. "If only there was a way to help them help themselves."
"They need some type of earth or rock," Sokka suggested. "Something they can bend."
"But this entire place is made of metal," Katara pointed out.
"No, it's not," Aang said, with Eli agreeing. "Look at the smoke - they're burning coal, in other words, earth."
"Oh, I am such an idiot!" Neo exclaimed.
"Katara, are you sure you want to help these people?" Sokka asked.
"Yes," she replied. "Then I have an idea."
A couple of hours later, Neo, Sokka, Katara, and Eli stood by a big vent, waiting for Aang who was inside.
"It's almost dawn," Katara said. "We're running out of time."
"You sure this is gonna work?" Sokka asked.
"It's just like the mines, only on a bigger scale," Neo explained. "All the vents lead to the center of the rig. All Aang has to do is close all the vents that lead out and leave only the one that leads here open. He uses his airbending, and the coal shoots out all around, giving the Earthbenders a fighting chance."
"There's the intruder!" declared a Fire Nation guard.
The five heroes got back to back.
"Stay back!" Sokka warned, holding up his boomerang.
"I'm warning you!" Sokka shouted.
"Sokka, they can firebend and you have a boomerang. This is going to end badly for you!" Eli cautioned.
"Katara, Neo," Tryo pleaded. "Stop, you can't win this fight."
"Listen to him well, children," the warden said as he approached them. "You're one mistake away from dying where you stand."
"Three, two, one," Neo counted down.
Suddenly, the ground shook and coal exploded out of the vent, along with Aang, who was now covered in soot. Katara picked up a piece of coal and addressed the prisoners.
"This is your chance, Earthbenders!" she declared. "Take it. Your fate is in your own hands!"
However, the benders were still reluctant to fight, which made the warden laugh.
"Foolish girl," he began. "You thought a few inspiring words and some coal would change these people? Look at these blank, hopeless faces. Their spirits were broken a long time ago. Oh, but you still believe in them. How sweet. They're a waste of your energy, little girl. You failed."
As the warden began to walk away, Neo spoke up and addressed the citizens of the Earth Kingdom.
"I ask you all this: when did you allow fear to dictate who you are?" he said. "Is it not time to rise up and fight back? Look at this young woman before us, standing strong with the elements at her disposal. She is not afraid, and neither should we be."
Neo then ran up to the coal to ensure everyone could see him and continued to speak.
"Don't be fooled by the warden's attempts to intimidate us. He is the one who is truly afraid because he knows we have the power of coal on our side. Yes, there may be dozens of firebenders in our way, but we have something they do not: fellowship. I can see fear in your eyes, and I understand it. But let me remind you of this: there may come a day when we feel like giving up when we feel like abandoning our friends and breaking our bonds of fellowship. But that day is not today. There may come a day when the Earth Kingdom falls, but it is not this day. Today, we fight! We fight for all that we hold dear on this earth. We fight for our families, our friends, and our future. And we fight with the knowledge that we are stronger together than we ever could be alone. So I implore you, stand with me now. Stand with this young woman who has shown us what true courage looks like. Stand with your fellow citizens of the Earth Kingdom, and let us show the firebenders that we will not be intimidated. Let us show them that we will fight until our very last breath if that is what it takes to protect our home."
Neo then turned around, summoned his lightsaber with the force, and ignited it, surprising every prisoner on the rig.
"Who will stand up to the Fire Nation with me?" he asked the prisoners.
The warden, still in shock, watched and waited to see if the prisoners would react.
Initially, it seemed like the prisoners wouldn't fight back until a piece of coal hit the warden's head. Everyone turned to see Haru with three coals spinning in his hand.
"Show no mercy!" the warden ordered, and he and other benders launched fire at Haru, but his father quickly created a wall of coal to block the attack.
"For the Earth Kingdom, attack!" Tryo yelled, and the prisoners began to fight back. Eli took out his lightsaber and cut the spears and swords of the soldiers. Sokka did the same with his boomerang.
"Eli, come with me!" Neo shouted as they made their way toward the prison door.
"Together," Neo declared, and he and Eli used the Force to open the door.
"How did you find them?" Haru asked Katara.
"They found us," she replied.
The door opened wide, allowing the prisoners to escape.
"Get to the ship!" Tryo commanded. "We'll hold them off!"
"Do not let them escape!" the warden bellowed, launching fireballs at the prisoners until he was punched in the jaw. Neo had delivered the blow.
"YOU! YOU DID THIS!" the warden screamed.
"Nope," Neo responded. "I just played a small role."
The warden continued to attack Neo with fireballs, but Neo evaded them, using his lightsaber to dissipate the fire and the Force to push the warden back.
Meanwhile, the rest of the gang saw the guards approaching the prisoners. Aang had an idea.
"Guys, toss me some coal," he said.
Aang then created a small tornado, while the others added coal to it, shooting it at the guards who were hit.
The Earthbenders then gathered the coal together, creating a giant pile that the guards were forced to float on. Neo charged at the warden.
He leaped into the air and kicked the warden onto the pile of coal. The warden begged, "No, please, I can't swim."
"Don't worry, I hear cowards float," Tryo said.
"We're just treating you with the same courtesy you treated us with," Neo remarked.
Tryo then released his hold on the coal, dropping the guards into the ocean.
Later on, the group and the prisoners were making their way back to civilization.
"I want to thank you for saving me," Haru said to Katara and Neo. "For Saving us."
"All it took was a little coal," replied Katara.
"It wasn't the coal, Katara. It was you," Haru insisted.
Tryo, now full of courage, thanked both Katara and Neo. "Thank you for helping me find my courage, Katara of the Water Tribe, and you, Neo of the Jedi Order," he said.
"I only played a small part," Neo humbly replied. "Katara's the real hero."
Haru expressed his family and everyone's debt to Katara and Neo. "I guess you're going home now," Katara said.
"Yes, to take back our village, to take back all of our villages!" Tryo declared, and the other former prisoners agreed. "The Fire Nation will regret the day they set foot on our land."
Haru asked Katara and Neo to come with them, but Katara declined. "Your mission is to take back your home, while ours is to get Aang to the North Pole," she explained.
Haru realized that Aang was the Avatar and thanked Katara and Neo for bringing his father back to him. "I never thought I'd see him again," he said, hugging Katara and shaking Neo's hand before walking away.
Neo then apologized to Katara for giving up when they were captured. "Instead, I should have been figuring out a way to escape. I just wanted to leave and move on, especially with the fall of the Jedi Order. I didn't think it mattered anymore. But I now realize that Eli and I are the legacy of the Jedi, and we must do what they did before their downfall, even if we never leave this world," he said.
Katara reassured Neo that he didn't have to apologize and that everyone has moments of doubt. Suddenly, Neo noticed that Katara's mother's necklace was missing.
"Katara, your necklace!" he exclaimed.
Katara touched her neck and realized that it was indeed gone.
"Oh no!" she cried out.
As Prince Zuko searched the rig, he noticed the necklace lying on the ground. He picked it up and gazed off into the horizon, lost in thought.
There it is... Chapter 3! If you enjoyed the story so far, please don't forget to follow, favorite, and review. For some reason, the traffic graph isn't working, so your feedback will be greatly appreciated in helping me gauge its success. Thank you for your support!