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(Up for Grabs)

Chapter III (Undercover)

"Bumi… you're sure about this, right?"

"Absolutely, Aang! When have my plans ever led you astray?"

Unbidden, a copious amount of memories including Bumi and his 'infallible' plans sprang into Aang's mind. The crazy king seemed to guess the airbender's thoughts, because he ruffled his friend's hair in a reassuring way before responding to his unspoken doubts.

"Well, I'm right this time, and you want to help Toph, don't you Aang? Or, as I should say, Prince Shen of Omashu."

Bumi grinned at him, and Aang found it impossible not to grin back at him.

Bumi is a good friend…

After the war, on of the first things they had done was travel to Omashu and introduce Toph to Bumi. They hit it off much better than Aang had expected: within five minutes of meeting they had wrecked the package chute system in the entire western half of the city.

Aang smiled at the memory, but started frowning at the current situation.

"Bumi… how did you know this was happening anyway?"

"Well, Aang, about a month ago, I received a letter from Lao Bei Fong asking if I had any eligible young nobility in my household to marry their daughter. I had already received your letter, stating your plans, so I knew both sides of the story. I told them that I was sending my heir, and ordered your disguise to be made. Now, you can go in and get Toph!"

Aang glanced down at his new entourage. He certainly looked the part of Shen, Prince of the City of Omashu.

"I guess…"

He was wearing a tunic, with a long-sleeved shirt beneath that had pointed cuffs that covered the tops of his hands. The shirt also had a long collar that covered his neck in the back. His feet were bare, like an earthbender's would be, but he had the same long, pointed cuffs covering the tops of his feet.

In his last letter, Bumi had told Aang to grow his hair out for a bit. After a month without a cut, his hair had grown in dark and thick. He had been bald most of the past four years, so it disguised him very well. He had refused to grow any facial hair, though.

A pointed golden circlet that came with Aang's costume disguised the arrow on his forehead. It had a green emerald in the center and fit him perfectly.

His new outfit reminded Aang of his Fire Nation clothes from during the war, except that as a prince of the Earth Kingdom he was arrayed in shades of green and tan.

Aang looked at Bumi, doubt etched upon his features. His old friend smiled crazily at him. It was somehow reassuring.

"Don't worry, Shen, just remember the rest of the plan. I'll wait here tonight with Appa and Momo, but if you're not here by midnight, I'll await tidings at Omashu."

Aang didn't like the thought of Bumi and Appa leaving him in Gaoling, but he knew that he had no choice.

Appa is too easily identified. If he stays here, the world will know where I am within a week. Bumi can't stay here either. He is the King of Omashu, his absence would be noticed. I have to get Toph out of there by midnight.

Appa touched down just outside the outskirts of the town. Aang jumped off nimbly with his pack.

"Remember, Shen, you're an earthbender. No other elements."

"Thanks Bumi… for everything." Shen called out to his adoptive father.

Shen of Omashu had arrived in Gaoling.


A/N: Here Ya go! Review for me... semester exams have got me down. I need something to make me feel better... or the next chapter won't come...

Review or the Foamy Mouth Guy will get you!!!

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