A/N: Just like the last chapter, I had to come up with events for Katara to experience from next to nothing. Similarly, I've thrown in an appropriate cameo from another character that she could have met along the way.
Chapter 6: Kings and Knights
On an island in the middle of Lake Laogai, Azula and the others recovered from their ordeal in the Dai Li base. Aang was constantly in contact with Appa, glad to finally have him back. Azula was amused by the boy and his bison. She just sat back and watched, wishing she had a bag of fire flakes. Then she noticed Sokka walking up to her and Toph.
"Look, we escaped from the Dai Li, we got Appa back, I'm telling you we should go to the Earth King no and tell him our plan" Sokka said. "We're on a roll."
"Only because someone else freed Appa before we could get to him" Azula said. "That isn't much of a roll."
"We can build on it" Sokka said. "If we want to invade the Fire Nation when the eclipse happens we need the Earth King's support."
An ECLIPSE! Azula almost shouted, barely keeping her surprise contained. How in the world did they learn about that? she wondered. Only the Fire Sages knew how to predict when eclipses would happen, and they only shared that information with the royal family. How commoners could figure it out was beyond Azula.
"What makes you think we'll even get it" Toph argued. "I don't know if you've noticed but things don't go that smoothly for our little gang."
"I know, but I've got a good feeling about this" Sokka said. "This time will be different."
"Sokka, Long Feng has complete control over the city, the Earth King has no real power" Azula said. "We should just cut our losses and leave while we still can."
"I'm with icy here" Toph said. "I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se, and I can't even see."
Aang jumped in to contribute to the debate. "But now that we have Appa back there's nothing stopping us from telling the Earth King the truth, about the conspiracy and the war."
"See? Aang's with me" Sokka said. "It's the whole reason we came here in the first place. We have to try."
"This isn't going to end well" Azula said.
"I don't trust the new positive Sokka" Toph said. "Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he!" she shouted.
Glancing to the side, Aang spotted several boats on the water. Sokka noticed Aang's gaze, and saw the boats as well. "That's probably the Dai Li searching for us" Sokka said.
"Time to fly" Azula said.
OOOOOOOOOO
On the other side of Ba Sing Se, a ferry docked in a port just outside the outer wall. The passengers all walked off the ferry and into the city, including Katara and the other two girls. Inside the outer wall was a check-in station for the refugees, where they would be cleared for entrance into Ba Sing Se. Once Katara was inside she spotted several lines of refugees, waiting to start new lives in the big city.
Like all the refugees, Katara stepped into one of the lines, with Ty Lee and Mai behind her. The line moved slowly, but they eventually reached the official that processed their line. The official was an old woman with a large mole on her forehead.
"Passports" the old woman requested.
"Here" Katara said, handing over a small piece of thick paper. It wasn't a real passport, but had the relevant information on it to allow passage.
The official read the paper. "The Warriors of Kyoshi, Suki, Lee, and Mei" she said. Stamping the seal of approval on the paper, she said "Welcome to Ba Sing Se."
"Could you direct us to the city guards?" Katara asked.
"Next room and wait for the next Captain" the official said. "Now move along."
In the next room was a train station, filled with refugees waiting for the next train to arrive. Katara and the others sat down next to a stone pillar. They overheard the guards talking about the Captain coming with the next train, so they waited for it to arrive. In the meantime, there was a skinny merchant pushing a cart with tea in it.
"Get your hot tea here" the merchant advertised. "Finest tea in Ba Sing Se."
Katara raised her hand to get the merchant's attention. "Ginseng please" she asked.
The merchant poured a cup of tea for Katara, and she paid for it with a copper piece. After the merchant walked away Katara tried to drink the tea, and nearly gagged on it.
"Is something wrong with the tea?" Ty Lee asked.
"Since when is iced tea popular?" Katara complained.
"Just heat it up" Mai suggested.
"Here?" Katara asked.
Mai stood up and threw a small knife at the tea merchant's cart, hitting the cart's wheel and breaking it. The whole thing fell over and spilled the contents onto the floor, catching the attention of all the refugees. Katara was expecting the merchant to scream 'my tea', but was disappointed when it didn't come.
"No one should notice someone heating their tea for a while" Mai said as she sat down.
"Alright" Katara said. She looked at the teacup in her hand, wondering how to heat it up with firebending. Focusing on the tea, Katara felt her hand heat up, and the heat flowed into the teacup. In seconds the tea started to steam, and Katara took a sip. "Hmm, a little heat goes a long way" she muttered.
OOOOOOOOOO
"Can we please buy a new saddle?" Toph yelled. "Riding bareback is terrifying!"
Being her first time flying, Azula completely agreed with Toph. Having to trust her life to a creature she barely knew anything about was not something she was used to. Half the time Azula was expecting the fur to simply fall out and send her plummeting to the ground. A saddle sounded like a very good idea for flying.
After bypassing the city's walls, Appa flew towards the palace in the center. The guards on the ground spotted the bison coming, and to defend the palace they earthbended large boulders into fast projectiles. Appa was able to dodge most of them while Aang shattered others with earthbending. When the bison nearly reached the ground Aang jumped off, and when he landed on the ground he earthbended a large wave of stone to disable a platoon of guards.
Azula jumped off Appa the moment he landed, glad to be back on the ground. With the others she ran for the steps that lead to the main palace. On both sides of the pathway more guards showed up, earthbending bricks out of the ground to throw at them. Azula improvised a water whip and took out the guards as quickly as possible while Aang and Toph blocked with earthbending.
These guys are pathetic Azula thought as she attacked the guards. Then she noticed Toph taking out guards in front of them by flipping the ground upside down. For the love of Agni, if they didn't have that wall this city would have fallen fifty years ago.
Just in front of the palace steps was a bridged river. When Azula ran across the bridge she pulled as much water as she could from it and threw the water in a large wave, washing away more guards. The path to the steps was clear, but more guards were coming from the top. Toph earthbended the steps into a ramp, forcing the guards to slide down it. With help from Aang she lifted the ground up the ramp, quickly bringing every to the palace doors.
"Seriously, we're actually on your guy's side" Sokka apologized as guards slid past the moving earth.
You could have fooled me Azula thought.
When they reached the top more guards showed up from the sides. These ones were disabled when Aang and Toph created stone walls which they used as battering rams. Once they cleared the way everyone entered the palace.
"Toph, which way to the Earth King?" Sokka asked.
"How should I know?" Toph asked. "I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se."
"It's probably in the center of the palace" Azula suggested. "Look for something big, fancy, or otherwise screams royalty."
After looking for half a minute, Sokka found a pair of large fancy doors. Sokka tried to push them open, but it was clear they were intended to be opened with earthbending. Aang and Toph broke down the doors, and everyone saw the Earth King in his throne. At the King's side was Long Feng, and in front of them were several Dai Li.
"We need to talk to you" Aang demanded.
"They're here to overthrow you" Long Feng said.
"No, we're on your side" Sokka said. "We're here to help."
The Earth King stood up from his throne. "You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my fancy door, and you want to help?" he questioned.
"He does have a point" Toph said.
"I've your really on my side, then drop your weapons and stand down" the King demanded.
Azula didn't want to drop the water she had, but when Aang dropped his staff she realized she had to play along. While Sokka dropped his machete and Toph dropped her rock Azula let her water splash onto the floor.
"See? We're friends your Earthiness" Aand said.
Azula was about to slap her face at Aang's rude comment, when the Dai Li threw their rock gloves and bound everyone's hands.
"Detain the assailants" Long Feng ordered. "Make sure the Avatar and his friends never see daylight again."
"The Avatar?" the King questioned. "You're the Avatar?" he said while pointing at Sokka.
"No, him" Sokka said, referring to Aang.
"What does it matter your highness" Long Feng said. "They are enemies of the state."
"Perhaps you're right?" the King wondered. Then he noticed his bear walking up to Aang and lick his cheek. "Though Bosco seems to like him. I'll hear what he has to say."
"Well sir, there's a war going on right now" Aang said. "For the past one hundred years in fact. The Dai Li's kept it secret from you. It's a conspiracy to control the city, and to control you."
"A secret war?" the King said. "That's crazy."
Just how ignorant can one man be? Azula wondered.
"Long Feng didn't want us to tell you" Aang continued. "So he stole our sky bison to blackmail us. And blackmail is the least of his crimes, he brainwashed our friend."
"All lies" Long Feng said. "I've never even seen a sky bison. Frankly, I thought they were extinct."
The King sat down in his throne to think about what Aang said. "Your claim is difficult to believe, even from an Avatar" he said.
Long Feng stepped closer to the King to whisper in his ear. "These hooligans are part of an anarchist cell that my agents have been tracking for weeks" he whispered. "If you listen to them, you're playing right into your own destruction."
"I have to trust my advisor" the King said.
When the Dai Li started to close in on them, Azula wasn't willing to just give up. "You want proof of the war? Go to the outer wall and see it for yourself!" she yelled.
"Are you mad? No Earth King has ever been to the Outer Wall" the King said.
"There's a first time for everything" Azula said.
OOOOOOOOOO
Once the train arrived at the check-in station, Katara and the others boarded it. They were directed to a compartment reserved for the city guard. The compartment had a desk inside, with the Captain in ornate armor sitting behind it. Katara sat down in a chair in front of the desk, with Mai and Ty Lee sitting at her sides.
The Captain was a middle aged man, with short brown hair and grey beard. "So, the Kyoshi Warriors" he said. "And you want to offer your assistance to Ba Sing Se."
"Of course" Katara said. "If you don't mind, we'd like to offer our services directly to the Earth King."
"The Earth King is a very busy man" the Captain said. "Unless you know someone close to the King, I can't let you see him."
"What about the Avatar?" Katara said. "He'll vouch for us."
"Really?" the Captain said. "You know the Avatar?"
"Yes, and last time I checked he was going to Ba Sing Se" Katara said. "Just tell him Suki is here and he'll know it's us."
"Very well" the Captain said. "In the meantime you'll have to stay in the lower ring barracks."
Katara and the others were led out of the compartment, spending the rest of the trip alongside the refugees. The trip to the inner wall only took an hour, which Katara spent watching the landscape pass by. I'm almost there Aang… she thought.
OOOOOOOOOO
Once again, Azula was riding on the back of the sky bison. Alongside her was the Earth King, who had been bribed into seeing the outer wall with a promise to fly on Appa. Unlike Azula, the Earth King screamed during the first five minutes of the flight, which she found extremely annoying.
"First time flying?" Toph asked.
"It's both thrilling, and terrifying" the King admitted
"Yea, I hate it too" Toph said.
The King turned to Aang. "I have to be honest with you" he said. "Part of me really hopes that what you're telling me about this war… isn't true."
"I wish it wasn't" Aang said.
Appa quickly reached the outer wall, right where the Fire Nation had attempted to break through it with the Drill. The Drill was still there, with a small earth wall raised around it. Azula had expected someone to start dismantling it by now, but to her surprise it had been left alone. Even as scrap metal the remains of the Drill would be valuable for recycling into war materials, and leaving it alone was extremely wasteful.
"What is that?" the King said when he saw the Drill.
"It's a giant drill made by the Fire Nation to break through your walls" Sokka explained.
When Appa landed on the wall everyone climbed off him. The King leaned over the edge of the wall, staring at the Drill. "I can't believe I ever knew" the King muttered.
As if on cue, Long Feng and two Dai Li arrived on the wall. "I can explain this, your majesty" Long Feng said. "This is nothing more than… a construction project."
He's really bad at lying Azula thought. "Excuse me, but since when does the Earth Kingdom build anything out of metal?" she questioned.
"Well it's imported of course" Long Feng said. "You know you can't trust domestic machinery." With this lie the Earth King stared at him. "Surely you don't believe these children instead of your most loyal attendant?"
The Earth King made his decision within moments. "Dai Li, arrest Long Feng" he said. "I want him to stand trial for crimes against the Earth Kingdom."
For a moment it appeared that the Dai Li weren't going to follow the order. Then they used metal chains to bind Long Feng's hands, restraining him. They took him away to the prison beneath the palace, where he would wait until his trial.
OOOOOOOOOO
While waiting for approval to see the Earth King, Katara explored the lower ring. She noticed that the streets were filled with poor and questionable types, which would have been dangerous if she hadn't been armed with Suki's war fans. Sure she didn't know how to use them properly, but they scared off the people who might have considered mugging her.
Walking down a street she spotted a skinny man placing a 'Help Wanted' sign on a window. Looking at the little building she saw that it was a teashop. She walked inside the teashop, and found it mostly empty. There was only one customer inside, a teenage girl sitting at one of the tables. Katara walked up to the girl, wondering why see looked kind of depressed.
"Is something wrong?" Katara asked.
"This place used to be the best teashop in the city" the girl said.
"What happened?" Katara asked. "It's like a ghost town in here."
"Some noble offered Lee and Mushi their own teashop in the upper ring" the girl said. "The guards don't let people from the lower ring in there, so I have to make do here."
"They were that good?" Katara asked. "I'm Suki, what's your name?"
"Jin" she said. "I've thought about applying for work here, since Lee showed me a few tricks with teamaking."
"Did you brew that cup?" Katara asked, pointing at the teacup in Jin's hands.
"Actually it's the last of Mushi's special blend" Jin admitted. "Here, try it" she said while handing Katara the cup.
"Okay" Katara said and took a sip. It was far better than the hot leaf juice she had earlier. "Now I have to meet this Mushi myself. What did he look like?"
"Well Mushi was an older man, with a beard and a large belly" Jin described. "Lee was cute, in the 'bad boy' sort of way. It must have been the scar over his eye."
Scar over the eye… Katara wondered. It couldn't be… she thought. It sounded like Jin was describing Zuko, but that was ridiculous. There was no way Zuko would be serving tea in Ba Sing Se. "Well if I see Lee I'll tell him you sent me."
OOOOOOOOOO
After arresting Long Feng, King Kuei returned to the palace. He gave Aang and his friends a formal audience to express his gratitude for revealing the deception to him. Kuei sat in his throne while Aang and the others stood in front of it.
"I want to thank you young heroes, for opening my eyes" Kuei said. "All this time what I thought was a great metropolis was merely a city of fools. And that makes me, the king fool. We're at war, with the Fire Nation."
"That's why we came to Ba Sing Se" Sokka said. "Because we think you can help us end the war."
"We don't have much time" Aang said. "There's a comet coming this summer, its energy will give the firebenders unbelievable strength. They will be unstoppable."
They know about Sozin's Comet too? Azula wondered. Who's been leaking this information?
"But there is hope" Sokka said. "Before the comet comes we have a window of opportunity. A solar eclipse is coming. The sun will be entirely blocked out by the moon, and the firebenders will be helpless."
"What are you suggesting?" Kuei asked.
"That's the day we need to invade the Fire Nation" Sokka said. "The Day of Black Sun."
"I don't know" Kuei said. "That would require moving troops out of Ba Sing Se. We'd be completely vulnerable."
"You're already vulnerable" Sokka said. "The Fire Nation won't stop until Ba Sing Se falls. You can either sit back and wait for that to happen, or take the offensive and give yourself a fighting chance."
Either way, you lose Azula thought.
"Very well" Kuei said. "You have my support."
After a brief cheer from the kids, they were interrupted by General Howe's arrival. While the general bowed Kuei introduced him to everyone. "We searched Long Feng's office" Howe said. "I think we found something that will interest everybody."
Howe led everyone into the library, and one of the guards brought a chest to a table inside. Kuei sat at the desk while everyone else stood to the side. "There are secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se, including you kids" Howe said.
"Secret files?" Aang questioned.
Kuei opened the chest, finding several scrolls inside. He took one with Toph's name on it and handed it to her, who passed it to Azula. She opened the scroll and quickly read it before reading it aloud.
"It's a letter from Poppy Bei Fong, she's here in the city" Azula said. "She wants to see you."
"Long Feng intercepted our letters from home" Toph said. "That's just sad."
Next Kuei handed a scroll to Aang, which has been attached to Appa's horn when the Dai Li captured him. "It's from the Eastern Air Temple" Aang said.
"I presume there's something for me and Sokka as well?" Azula asked.
"I'm afraid not" Kuei said.
"But there is an intelligence report that might interest you" Howe said.
Azula took a scroll from Howe to read. "A small fleet of Water Tribe ships…"
"That could be Dad" Sokka interrupted.
"Guarding the mouth of Chameleon Bay" Azula continued. "Led by Hakoda."
"That is Dad!" Sokka shouted.
OOOOOOOOOO
After her conversation with Jin, Katara walked back to the guard barracks in the lower ring. It resembled the lower ring apartments, but with an extra wall around it and filled with guards instead of civilians. Inside was an office for the Captain, which Katara entered with Mai and Ty Lee. The Captain was inside, waiting for them.
"Good, you're here" the Captain said.
"Can we see the King now?" Katara asked.
"Not quite" the Captain said. "But I did receive word that the Avatar has just received the support of the Earth King. I've been given permission to let you into the Upper Ring."
"What happens then?" Katara asked.
"I'm still waiting on word from the palace guard on whether or not you get to see the King" the Captain said. "They should be letting him know you're here any minute now."
"So what's the King like?" Katara asked.
"Sheltered" the Captain said. "He means well but doesn't have the experience to back up his intentions."
"Really? That sounds like an unsuitable person to have in power" Katara said.
"I agree" the Captain said. "I barely know you and I'd think you would do a better job."
"Don't be ridiculous" Katara brushed off with a laugh.
OOOOOOOOOO
Between the news of Toph's mother in the city, Sokka's dad in Chameleon Bay, and a Guru waiting for Aang at the Eastern Air Temple, it was decided that the group would split up. Azula volunteered to stay with the Earth King to plan the invasion of the Fire Nation. Someone had to stay behind, and Sokka had been excited when Azula let him be the one to visit Hakoda.
Outside Aang and Sokka prepared for their trip on Appa. Toph and Azula helped them, before going their separate ways. Just before the boys were about to leave, King Kuei wanted to give his farewells to the Avatar.
"Katara, I need to tell you something" Aang asked.
"What is it?" Azula demanded.
"I've been wanting to say it for a long time" Aang said while blushing.
"Well out with it" Azula said.
"Katara, I…"
Then Sokka had the nerve to interrupt Aang with a manly arm around the shoulder. "Alright, who's ready to get going on our little men only man trip?" Sokka declared.
The look on Aang's face told Azula that what he wanted to say was supposed to be private, and that he wasn't going to bring it up again with Sokka so close. "Just get going you two" Azula said.
Before they could leave, Kuei arrived. "Aang and Sokka, I wish you a good journey" Kuei said. "Ba Sing Se owes you its thanks. We look forward to your safe return."
With the goodbyes said, Sokka started climbing onto Appa. While he climbed one of the King's guards arrived with a message. "Your majesty, there are three female warriors here to see you" the guard announced. "They're from the island of Kyoshi."
"That's Suki!" Sokka shouted and fell off Appa.
"You know these warriors?" Kuei asked.
"Oh yea" Sokka said. "The Kyoshi Warriors are a skilled group of fighters, trustworthy too. They are good friends of ours."
Kuei nodded. "Then we shall welcome them as honored guests" he declared.
OOOOOOOOOO
A few hours later, Katara finally found herself at the threshold of the Earth King's palace. With Ty Lee and Mai behind her, she walked towards the palace. As Katara walked she glanced at the guards standing at attention, which appeared to be there for ceremonial reasons more than practicality. Looking ahead she saw the Earth King standing on a raised floor.
Where's Aang? Katara wondered. Taking brief glances around, she couldn't spot any of her friends. Sokka, you should be here to see your girlfriend.
King Kuei decided to welcome the girls personally. "In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi Warriors" Kuei announced.
Katara and the others bowed to King Kuei. As she rose she said "We are the Earth King's loyal servants."
A/N: The pieces are finally in place. And now the Canon plot can begin to unravel...