Chapter XIII

Playing Hero

Opening the door to the bath Mao and Yomi looked up from their bath to see a startled Chiko stumble in. His wide stormy gray eyes look like they have witness something horrible.

"Bird? What happened, why are you so nervous?" Yomi looked concerned at Chiko who dried off and grabbed his clothes.

"I need to ta-ta-ta-ta-talk to Arjuna. N-n-n-now." He got dressed as Yomi followed him down the hall wearing only a towel on his hips.

"Chiko, you need to slow down. What happened?" Chiko didn't answer to his guardian's words and asked one of the workers if they knew an "Arjuna." She nodded and pointed to the right. Chiko face was serious and grim as he knocked on the door. The masseuse opened the door with a confused expression.

"Can I-" He began before Chiko interrupted.

"Arjuna we-we-we-we have a serious p-p-p-p-p-problem."

Arjuna was dressed in a private room with Chiko and his brothers. Arjuna's own family was still enjoying themselves. Chiko wasted no time explaining while everyone was preoccupied.

"Someone is g-g-g-g-g-going to siege Gaoling and-and-and-and kidnap the B-b-b-b-b-ei Fong's daughter." Chiko said shortly and without hesitating. There was a long and very pregnant pause among everyone.

"How did you know of this?" Arjuna queried flatly. Chiko looked at the floor for a moment and then responded to him.

"I overheard in-in-in-in-in the open sp-sp-sp-springs." Chiko gave out all their names. Arjuna seemed deep in thought and then got up.

"Boys return home, I will warn Lord Bei Fong. Thank you so much for telling me all this Chiko." and that was the end, but Chiko wasn't satisfied.

"I need to save Yun; she is d-d-d-d-d-danger. I can't stay idly b-b-b-b-by. I have to-to-to-to-to-to do something." Arjuna turned his head to Chiko with a soft expression. Maybe it was compassion, but it was stifled as he shook his head.

"No. You boys head back home I will warn Bei Fong." Chiko was about to open his mouth when Mao jerked him away and headed out not really refreshed but tense. Yomi seemed subdued and in thought as he walked back to the estate, Chiko behind him, brewing like a storm.

"Bird? I think you shou-" He was interrupted with a lightning strike from Chiko's temper.

"Don't tell me wh-wh-wh-what I should do!" We have p-p-p-p-p-p-problem and Arjuna is handling it c-c-c-c-casually. I was nearly killed!" He shouted lifting his arm up. Mao looked behind him.

"What do you mean Chi?" He asked as Chiko's face went from angry to nervous. He explained his encounter with the swamp shaman Kaalo. Yomi's eyebrows flew up. He looked at Mao with some slight shock, Mao looked back at Chiko.

"We can't do anything now Chi-bird. We need to be neutral and wait for Arjuna's orders." Chiko narrowed his eyes and scoffed. He didn't like the idea about waiting for Arjuna, what was he, his pet?

Back home at the apartment. The three waited for Ijo or Sentosa and importantly, Arjuna. The three were silent; Chiko was levitating a ball while Mao wrote in his journal. Ijo walked in his face soft but stern.

"Father just came back with Lord Bei Fong. Bei Fong believes the city is safe he will not take action from the assumed siege or will the mayor. I am sorry but father can only do so much." Ijo said looking shamed at the three benders. "The servants will bring you supper here. Father is not in the mood for company. I am sorry." With that Ijo left. Mao frowned and then turned to Yomi, as if he had the answers. Chiko also looked at the elder brother, who was the unnamed leader of the three.

"I don't know either guys, as much as I like to act, we cannot stumble into something without wisdom." Yomi said softly looking at the floor, feeling he had let everyone down. Mao's face looked severe and brooding. He had his hands on his knees and was also looking at the ground. He got up finally and walked out saying to Yomi.

"I accept your decision Yo-Brother, but the difference between a dead man and a man alive is hesitancy." With that Mao was out of the apartment. Yomi bit his lip knowing that Mao had a point. The fact that they are alive today was because of acting and not just waiting for something to happen. However this was situation that Yomi had no idea in how to act in. He got up and left too leaving Chiko.

Chiko however had other things in his head. Yun was in trouble. She was going to be kidnapped, and a seed was planted inside Chiko's head. If he got to her first and got her some place safe. There will be no girl left to take hostage...but getting Bei Fong to believe there was a siege. That is something that he had to flesh out. Chiko got up from the divan and grabbed one of Mao's daggers and a satchel. Hesitating was only going to make him a dead man.

Flying like a wren in a forest, Chiko looked for the Bei Fong house. He heard it was the house with the winged boars on the front. Chiko ran to the Gold District which had all the nice houses. After some search he found Bei Fong's manor. A frown was on his lips as guards watch the gate, moving like little green bees. Chiko watch them for nearly ten minutes memorize their patterns before finding the blind spot and flying above it to the west end of the manor. Chiko hid behind a bush and darted around to the north end. Now the tricky part was finding Yun.

()()()()()()()()()()()

Yun was in her chambers her hair was down as she laid on the bed looking up at the ceiling bored and unmotivated. She sighed with teenage angst and apathy, her thoughts on 'Ming Qin' who was probably looking for her. She smiled fondly at his memory, finding him a refreshing change from the stuffy thirty-somethings that tried to court her. Ming was charming, witty and polite and what was more. He was so unique. There was an earthiness that made him so very attractive. She turn her head to look out the window her cream gown loose on her body fell a bit from her shoulders. However she tightened it as soon as she saw Ming darting below. Oh, this was interesting.

Chiko was avoiding the guards well, already memorizing their routes and seeking passed them silently. He vaulted to a ledge and waited for the next spot to hide when he heard a whisper.

"Pssst! Ming over here!" Chiko jerked his head to left to see Yun ushering him in. Chiko sprung into the open window and exhaled a baited breath. She looked at him with curiosity and maybe amusement.

"What in Hei Bai's name are you doing at this hour?" Chiko panted and rubbed his head. How can he explain this one?

"Men are coming to-to-to-to-to kidnap you. You need to g-g-g-g-get out of here." Chiko said looking outside briefly. Yun furrowed her brow and sat down.

"Father was arguing with Mr. Arjuna about that downstairs. Is it really true?" Chiko was watching everything outside when he noticed two men in dark outfits seeking around heading for her bedroom.

"I heard th-th-th-th-the plot." Chiko said his voice a bit tense. He grabbed her hand and threw her into a closet with him following.

"Trust me I know what I am d-d-d-d-doing!" He said closing the door.

()()()()()()()()()()()

"Gods damnit! Chiko is missing!" Mao shouted as he stormed out of the apartment, fuming. Yomi joined him as he was leaving the main house his face creased with worry. He walked in and looked around to find a small note with scrawled writing. Yomi's dark expression told Arjuna who came out after him what the note said.

"Damn. He acted without thinking things through." Arjuna said furiously. Ijo joined him and all the men were outside, stewing over what to do about the current events. The mulled over the options. Arjuna was willing to go retrieve Chiko and Mao was going to join him. Ijo suggested that they should bide their time and maybe Chiko will join them on their own. Yomi doubted that.

"Bird is impulsive. If he has an idea, he runs with it. He doesn't plan stuff well." Mao nodded and had his hand on the pommel of his sword.

"We need to go get him before he gets himself in a huge pickle." Ijo was going to say something in response when Sentosa joined them. He had an urgent look on his face and handed Arjuna a piece of paper. Arjuna looked at it and his face went from annoyed to serious.

"The game has changed boys, this is bad news. The Gaoling Guards just reported from the observation deck north-side, two fleets of Fire Nation ships are spotted. They will make port in three hours. We should follow Chiko's lead and act now. We can't sit here and brood this over." Arjuna said his voice deep. He pointed to Sentosa.

"You continue to get us updates. Ijo and Mao, you two need to go to Guan Feng Square and ring the warning gongs, you need to warn everyone get people out of the city." Mao looked nervous at Arjuna who handed his ring to Ijo. His son looked at him gravely.

"This is your insignia? It's our family crest." Arjuna nodded. "The guard at the tower will know what it means. Show this to him say that this is order from the High Ambassador of Ba Sing Se. Even though I am only third here in Gaoling I am sure the guard will understand the significance." Mao and Ijo both bowed and ran to the gate their feet slapping the stone walk. Arjuna turned to Yomi and gave him the official documents. "As for you, son of Hayate. You're to fly to the mayor and hand him these. This will be sufficient for evacuation. The mayor trusts his army...too much it seems. He will take these far seriously than Bei Fong. I will now trust Chiko to rescue his daughter." Arjuna's words were heavier than stones. Yomi looked at the military reports and then at Arjuna. He was trying to make up his mind. Turning on his heel he ran back inside the apartment. Arjuna was puzzled for a brief second and then Yomi ran out with his glider and took off without a word. With that being the ending of the discussion Arjuna turned to his son in law.

"Now...to get that dumbass Bei Fong to recognize that he is under attack."

Yun was about to say something when Chiko covered her mouth. He gave her a serious look, silently asking her to keep quiet. He will get her answer in a moment. Chiko heard the sound of the bedroom door opening and people coming through the window. He narrowed his eyes and strained to hear what was going on.

"Shit! She's not here!" Shouted an angry voice, another voice answered him.

"She is around here somewhere Miss Yun is restricted to her chambers for two weeks." Yun's face told Chiko that she knew who was speaking.

"Well damn, you're no help Yuja, Do you know where she could be?" Yuja's answer was clear.

"She's probably at the Hei Feng Gardens or still in the palace." Angry Voice didn't seem at all happy about this. "For someone that has been protecting her since she was a baby you tend to be oblivious where she might be!" Yuja disagreed.

"Fine I will wait for her and bring her to Lord Aydin myself. You go tell Musaki that I have the girl. I will make sure of it." Angry Voice and what might be stealth-warriors left the room. Leaving only Yuja in the bedroom.

Yun couldn't breathe, she looked up at Chiko her face hot with the sting of betrayal. He looked to Yun, oddly calm, and then at the door and whispered.

"Go out and distract him I'll g-g-g-get him from behind." Yun looked hesitating but obeyed sneaking out of the closet shutting the door lightly. She was greeted warmly by Yuja.

"Oh dear Miss there you are! Did the men scare you into hiding? You poor thing; I am so sorry not to have warn you, but you must follow me there has been rumors of an attack, I need to get you out of here safely." He said a smile on his face offering his hand. Yun looked at him meekly walking away leading him near the closet.

"I heard you talking..." Her voice had none of her past strength. Yuja crept closer laughing.

"Oh sweetie, it was just a lie, I was just fooling them. They were trying to kidnap you sweetheart; I made it seem that I was on their side." He winked at her as if it as all a very funny joke. His patronizing words did nothing to calm her. Just as Yuja was in range the door flew open and Chiko pounced on him throwing him to the floor with a well place kick to the solar plexus. Yuja felt down with Chiko straddling him holding his hands back.

"GET TO THE WINDOW!" Yun obeyed him once again as Chiko shoved off of Yuja who was ready to bend the window close, only to be a second too late. Chiko vaulted off of him and grabbed Yun falling out of the window.

"HOLD ON!"

()()()()()()()()()()

Yomi glided over the city to the crest of the mayor and landed over the main gate. He saw the startled and shocked gate-watchers stepping back at his landing.

"Wh-who are you?" They said point their spears at Yomi who closed his glider.

"I need to see the mayor this is dire news from Lord Arjuna." He said with sharply walking pass the gate-men and up the marble steps. He was stopped by more of the mayor's security asking for proof of the supposed

'Dire news'. Yomi showed him the official documents to the lead guard.

"How about these? Now please take me to the mayor." Yomi said forcefully. Ready to get the mayor himself, until the lead guarded handed back the documents.

"I can't believe…c'mon the mayor should be awake." Yomi followed the lead guard around the back to a small water garden, where a young man, who just reached his thirties or maybe in his late twenties, was reading a book.

"Mayor Xiong Ji! Lord Arjuna has message." The young man looked up at Yomi who was only a few years his junior. He furrowed his brow and waved off the leader.

"Bi Shou you are dismissed thank you, now messenger what does Arjuna want to say?" Yomi handed him the reports. Xiong Ji read them quickly and had a surprised look on his face. "This...this can't be right. I was told that our seaports are too secured. If any enemies cross our waters, we would have boarded and detain them!" He then sat back in his plush settee, rubbing his eyes.

"Well I am sure we can take two fleets down it doesn't seem to be huge problem." Yomi temper rose at the mayor's lax response.

"You can't take the Fire Nation so casually! I've seen their power!" Xiong Ji frowned and gave Yomi back the reports looking a bit irritated.

"You've witness their power? Tell me messenger? Was your village raided and now you're a refugee? Or is your family trapped in a Fire Nation colony?" He said with a tone of disconnect, as he heard dozens of the same story. Yomi was sure he has. Maybe that is why he seemed so bored. Some story different person. However Yomi decided that the mayor had to hear about this.

"You know who I am don't you mayor?" The mayor blinked and shrugged. "I was told by sources that you are guests of Lord Arjuna, vagabonds with a secret of some sort." It was too perfect. Yomi took a step forward.

"Do you wish to know what that is?" Xiong Ji sat up, his interest was caught. He crossed his arms and gave him a look that said go on.

"Mayor. I am one of the last airbenders and a survivor of the Jung Mu Temple." There was a pause the mayor blinked and sighed.

"Oh is that all?" He said dully, Yomi gripped his staff. How dare he? He stood up straight and looked at the mayor sternly.

"Oh is that all! That's what you have to say? Mayor! I've seen what handful of foot soldiers can do to a small village! Two fleets will ransack the city, you can take this casually. I don't want this city to suffer the same fate as my temple. Don't be a coward and hand your city over to a bunch of brigands!" that got the mayor's attention. His eyes widen as he glowered at Yomi his cheeks flushed with anger. He got up and stood in front of Yomi, he was actually a bit shorter than the monk and lacked the imposing glare that Yomi had and the scars that the mayor saw on his face.

"You think you have any right to speak to me like that? I am the goddamn mayor! I can have you murdered right here!" Yomi looked down at him his face cool and eyes like steel.

"And that would be your first blood wouldn't it?" Yomi said with a calm intensity. The mayor opened his mouth to shout something but then closed it. He took a step back staring at Yomi.

"You have a lot of balls to be talking down to me airbender, I can't help but admire it a bit. You're right however, I will evacuate the city at least, but knowing that damn bard, Arjuna is already a step ahead of me…but monk, don't you ever call me a coward again." there as a long pause then he turned away waving his hands.

"Get this to my chief of the guards." Yomi bowed and ran back to Bi Shou handing him the report.

"Sound the alarms; it's an order from the mayor." Without any more words Yomi took off into the air.

()()()()()()()()()()

Running like deer, the two reached the high tower in the center of Gaoling. Ijo used earthbending rise himself above to the main deck. Mao vaulted up to the tower as well, scaring the young guards as they arrived. They seemed jarred by the sudden appearance and Mao did nothing to ease the tension. Ijo however immediately presented the ring. One of the men took it.

"My gods it's sifu's ring!" He showed it to the other guard. "Holy Panda! It is!" The astonished look on both of their faces made Mao furrow his brow a bit.

"Sifu? Arjuna was your teacher?" Mao asked as Ijo was given back the ring also confused.

"Yeah I use to be a student of his back in Ba Sing Se, he told us, I mean Shang and I that if we see this ring it's because of dire importance." Mao was to tell them a reason when dove landed on the railing with a note on its back. Shang took the note and read it privately he then turned to his partner.

"The mayor just ordered a ring the gongs. An attack is coming Zhan!" Zhan took the note and read it and then looked at the ring.

"We'll let's not waste any time!" Zhan lit a signal torch and Ijo bent his stone elevator back up to carry him back down Mao bowed and vaulted off just as the gong vibrated loudly. BROOOONNNG BROOOONNNG! Mao ran following Ijo heading through the major parts of the city.

"We need to get everyone safe. Yomi should be joining us soon." Mao nodded, panic would be worse than the attack itself.

()()()()()()()()

Falling was an odd sensation, not quite there...not quite here either. Yun couldn't place the feel as she felt for only half a second. She was jerked sharply when Chiko used his legs and stump to bend a gale of wind sailing them over the fence and nearly crashing into a tree. They fell lopsidedly on Chiko's good right arm. Chiko got up and took her hand but she refused to move, her green eyes bright.

"What is going on...please Ming tell me?" Chiko paused listening for any men and then squeezed her hand.

"I know you're scared and I un-un-un-understand the p-p-p-p-p-p-pain of someone you trust b-b-b-b-b-betraying you I really do and I know I haven't b-b-b-been honest. My name is actually Chiko...and I am a-a-a-a-a-a surviving airbender from Southern T-t-t-temple." The look on her face went from fear to shock. She wasn't angry but surprised.

"You're...you're an Air monk? The loss of your arm, all the secrecy... It was because the Fire Nation's hunt. Oh my gods." Chiko bit his lip and tried to make her follow him.

"Those men wanted you for-for-for-for ransom. Fire Nation is going to a-a-a-a-at-at-attack the city those guys we're going to b-b-b-b-blackmail your father and the mayor to d-d-d-do so. We need to g-g-g-get you to Arjuna's." Chiko was tramping through brush and bushes not with Yun in tow. She was quiet for a moment before responding back

"I am pretty pissed at you honestly, but I have no time to be angry and there is old parable about always trusting an airbender's word. I will trust you, just for now." Chiko didn't say just got to back of the middle plaza. He could see rows of people filing towards the main highways and hear the gongs of warning. Ijo came running.

"Chiko! Yomi was going to pitch a bitch at you! How dare you….errr" Ijo temper dissipated when Chiko introduced him to Yun Xing Bei Fong. He blinked taken aback before bowing.

"Oh...well...Miss Bei Fong I am Ijo from Omashu, Arjuna's son may I escort you to the estate." Yun nodded softly she took Ijo's hand looking back at Chiko with bit of fear again.

"You'll be safe I still have things to do." With that Chiko took off again looking for his brothers heading through a garden to the heart of the city when he was caught off guard by a blast of fire.

"So brat? Think you can meddle in our affairs and not get caught?" Chiko did a back flip staggering back, to dodge the blast of fire. Looking around for the source, Chiko tried to scan the darkness for the attacker, only to get another blast from behind. Whirling around Chiko deflected the blast calling out to his opponent.

"Face me! Sh-sh-sh-show yourself!" Chiko shouted getting into a loose stance. The bushes rustled spreading back to let a bulky, broad shoulder firebender walk through. His laughter grated on Chiko has he too got into a bending pose.

"Hmmph, you look familiar for some reason. Pah, no matter." He stepped forward to unleash another ball of fire, Chiko shifted to the right to dodge it. There was also something familiar about the firebender he was dueling as well. He couldn't seem to put his thumb on it.

Mao noticed that Ijo left his side a while ago as he ran to the ports to find a battalion of soldiers standing at the ready. Trebuchetes loaded for the invasion of the ships. Yomi was waiting on the edge of the wharfs, standing facing the ocean with his eyes hard with determination. The smell of salt and brine was heavy in the night air. Yomi turned his head to the right to see Mao join him panting hard and sweaty.

"Is everyone getting to safe grounds?" queried Yomi handing Mao a skin of water. Mao chugged it down gasping loudly before answering.

"Everyone is alerted Ijo went back to Arjuna's there is rumors that Lord Bei Fong and the Mayor are being taken safely the rest of the force has been mobilized. They will join the coastal infantry shortly." Mao said scanning the see for crimson flags. Both boys braced themselves for the onslaught of fireballs from the ships both were willing to fight with any means. The captain approached them on his ostrich-horse his spear in one hand and conch shell to give the signal in the other.

"Are you sure you two won't take cover?" asked the captain raising his conch to his lips.

"Nah, cap' we got this, trust me man, you'll be happy to have us. We're the best call for defense." Mao said winking, the captain however frowned.

"It's no time for cocky attitudes, there will be casualties, keep your head steady." He said riding back blowing the conch once. Yomi got into stance holding his staff his eyes still hard. The smell of hot air was the first thing that got his attention; the second was the three consecutive blows of the conch and lastly was the rain of fire from above.

()()()()()()()()()()

Sidestepping each of the blasts, Chiko evaded the rapid attacks from his opponent's offense. He could tell that the firebender was getting frustrated.

"Goddamn it! What the hell is wrong with you! C'mon and show me what you got son!" The firebender stomped his foot lashing out wave of searing heat. Chiko tried to flip over it, but it had a wide range catching his han-fu on fire. He shook off his han-fu leaving him only in his mud-stained trousers and sandals; he instinctively used airbending to snuff out the flames on it before stamping them out. It was then the battle took on a new face. The firebender dropped his guard completely. The look on his square mug beheld a look of horror and shock, like he saw a spirit. Chiko wore a confused expression, lifting his eyebrows in query.

"What? So w-w-what if I am an ar-ar-ar-airbender, I can take you." Chiko got back into stance again planning to get behind him, but the expression on the firebender remained shocked.

"Oh great gods of fire! Y-you! How...how can it be? How can you be alive?" Chiko studied his face, he was so familiar. It was obvious that he recognized him but why Chiko couldn't? Then something hit him. His heart stopped, flashes of the temple on fire and him lunging to save his friends. The blade of spear that millisecond where time just stood still…Oh my gods...Chiko was going to be sick. The firebender that he was facing before him was the one that took his left arm.

AN: HOSHIT! IT JUST GOT REAL! And look I am regularly updating. .