Chapter 3: A Game of Shadows

Jeong Jeong's first task was to ask the fox spirits where information was kept on Earth Kingdom geological surveys. One of the foxes led him to a wing that seemed to shift gradually into the Fire Nation section. Jeong Jeong found geological surveys grouped first by nation, then by proximity to one another. While the results narrowed down his search to one aisle, the firebender was still at a loss. There were potentially hundreds of books and scrolls here, many of them written in indigenous, dead or archaic languages and scripts. And as Jeong Jeong had no idea where on earth the library's Zeiton crystals had been mined, he also had precious little idea on where to begin looking. He turned to the fox who had guided him.

"Those crystals that light the halls...is there a book or scroll showing where they come from?"

The fox leaped up to the fourth shelf, sniffing around a pile of scrolls. Once it found the scroll it was looking for, it gently grasped the old parchment in its mouth and dropped it to Jeong Jeong. As Jeong Jeong caught the scroll, a movement in his peripherals caught his eye. A flicker of a shadow seemed to cross the shelf just for an instant, drawing Jeong Jeong's glance toward the Fire Nation wing. Though no one seemed to be there, Jeong Jeong felt a chill run down his spine. He shook it off, attributing it to his paranoia, and opened the scroll.

Jeong Jeong cursed under his breath when he saw the scroll was written in an archaic script he didn't recognize. He was about to roll the scroll up again when he noticed something peculiar about it. The lettering on the scroll shifted gradually; so gradually that Jeong Jeong wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him. He blinked once or twice, and suddenly the words were perfectly legible, written in the language and script he'd learned to read as a boy. "The spirits are at work here," he mumbled reverently.

For the next several minutes, Jeong Jeong scanned the scroll, searching for anything that resembled the crystal wall fixtures. About halfway through the scroll, Jeong Jeong spotted a lead.

"Glowing green crystals...highly mineralized water...catacombs...used as primary light sources in the first underground settlements that became Ba Sing Se? This is what the Doctor is looking for!" Jeong Jeong rolled up the scroll and started back toward the entrance of the library.

Suddenly a movement caught his eye again. Another shadow, flickering around the corner. Jeong Jeong felt that same chill run up his spine and decided it would be best to get back to the Doctor as quickly as possible. He started down the aisle when he heard the distinctive sound of human voices, coming from the direction the shadow had gone. Curiosity getting the better of him, Jeong Jeong cautiously made his way into the Fire Nation wing. But instead of pressing himself against the bookshelves and staying in the shadows, Jeong Jeong felt the sudden and very strong urge to stay in the light.

As he came around a corner, Jeong Jeong saw two Fire Nation soldiers. He froze in his tracks, all too aware of the fact that he was in plain sight. He silently cursed himself for letting his paranoia get the best of him as he waited for the soldiers to turn and recognize him. But as the two chattered and complained about their latest assignment, neither of them seemed to notice Jeong Jeong. The fugitive released a quiet, shaky breath as he realized the key the Doctor had given him was working. He decided to listen in a moment.

"Seriously, he's been obsessed with this library ever since that raid on Port Ning," one soldier was saying. "Something about the moon and his destiny. I think he's spent a few too many years at sea."

"You realize that if the captain heard you say that you could be court marshaled for insubordination, right?"

"Yeah, well, he's two aisles over, too into his scrolls to notice. I'll admit, though, it's nice to get a break from his usual temper tantrums. Even if it means coming all the way out here to the middle of nowhere to a library where everyone has to have a book for some freaky talking owl."

"Seriously, Ta, stop talking about Captain Zhao like that before someone hears you. Like the captain."

Jeong Jeong felt a bit of bile rise in his throat at hearing the name of his former student, along with an increased amount of trepidation. He wasn't sure how long the perception filter could fool Zhao if he ran into him directly. Jeong Jeong began carefully backing out of the aisle, preparing to beat a hasty retreat back to where he'd left the Doctor.

"I'm gonna go see if this place has a cafe," the soldier named Ta said.

"In a library?" his comrade responded.

"Well, it's worth a try." With that, Ta turned and started coming Jeong Jeong's direction. The firebender gulped and held his breath, but Ta moved around and passed him as if he were nothing more than a shelf or pillar jutting out into the hallway.

Jeong Jeong sighed again with relief as Ta turned a corner. He then prepared to turn the opposite corner and start back toward the entrance. But just as he was about to do so, Jeong Jeong noticed something peculiar. He turned and stared after Ta. In the dimly lit hallway, illuminated entirely by the crystal light fixtures, shadows were abundant but weak. Yet Ta appeared to have a long, dark shadow that looked as though it had been cast by a much stronger light source. It did not look at all natural to Jeong Jeong. The former admiral got only a moment to observe the shadow, however, as it disappeared when Ta turned another corner. Jeong Jeong shook his head and decided that he had to get back to the Doctor as quickly as possible.

Suddenly a scream from Ta's direction broke the silence of the library. The scream made Jeong Jeong's blood run cold, and he stood frozen in place. The sound of the scream was unmistakeable. Jeong Jeong had heard it many times both on land and at sea. Ta was no more.

"Ta!" the remaining soldier cried, dashing after his comrade. When he disappeared around the same corner Ta had gone, he too screamed. It was a cry of shock rather than a dying man's screech, and it was quickly followed up by the soldier's pleas for assistance. "Help! I need backup! Seaman Ta's...Someone help me!"

Jeong Jeong heard footsteps echoing down the halls, and he broke into a run. The sooner he got back to the Doctor the sooner they could get out of this death trap. In his haste Jeong Jeong dropped the scroll he'd collected for the Doctor. His basic self-preservation instinct kicked in, and he knew that he needed to get out of there if he stood any chance of seeing the sun again. Even if it was the harsh desert sun, it would be a welcome sight after what he'd just witnessed.

The Doctor was just completing his examination of the light fixtures when he heard a whimper beside him. A fox sat nearby, looking at him with its head cocked in curiosity.

"Well, hello, there," the Doctor greeted. "I understand you're somewhat intelligent. I mean even for a fox. Clever creatures, you are, but I've never encountered one who's quite sapient."

The fox regarded him silently.

The Doctor tapped a finger on his chin. "I wonder...might you have any of these crystals to spare? I'm in need of a few that I can use for an emergency jump. Er...I mean...Oh, I suppose I wouldn't be able to make you understand what I mean. I need some crystals for my ship in order to get it into...a port. Yes, that's it. A port. So...can you spare a few crystals?"

The fox stood, circled a moment, then disappeared around a corner. The Doctor shrugged and began to follow the animal when he heard a scream echo through the halls. He froze.

"Hello, what was that? It didn't sound good, whatever it was. Oh dear, I hope Jar Jar or whatever his name is hasn't run into trouble. Shouldn't have let him wander off. Not that he would have listened. They never do, you know." He glanced down and to the side, expecting the fox to be there. But the canine was nowhere to be seen.

Ever curious, the Doctor decided to find the source of the scream. He started walking in the direction of the Fire Nation wing.

He hadn't quite made it to the wing when he saw Jeong Jeong skid around the corner and come charging toward him. Not wanting a repeat of that morning's first meeting with the firebender, the Doctor threw his hands up to stop Jeong Jeong, who looked up just in time to skid to a stop before colliding with the Time Lord.

"Whoa, steady on, there, mate! What's got you all worked up?"

Jeong Jeong leaned forward, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. When he looked up, the Doctor noticed his face, now bare of the turban, was exceptionally pale.

"You look as though you've seen a ghost."

The firebender nodded. "I may have. I-I saw some of Captain Zhao's soldiers."

"Who?"

"A former pupil of mine. No self-control. Would love to turn me in and collect the bounty on my head. Not to mention the glory."

"Ah. Old friends and all that. But nothing to warrant that scream I heard. Was that you?"

Jeong Jeong shook his head. He stood up, wrapping his arms around himself for a moment, as if cold. "It was one of the soldiers. He had...an unnatural shadow. He disappeared around a corner, and then he screamed. It was the scream of a dying man. The shadows...it is as though they move on their own."

The Doctor was on full alert now. "You're saying a shadow killed a man?"

"I know it is ridiculous to believe, but then I also did not believe in magic boxes that are bigger on the inside before this morning."

"No, you're right," the Doctor said. "I've...heard of something like this before. And if there are other people in this library, we need to get them out right away. Show me where you saw the soldiers."

Jeong Jeong gave the other man an incredulous look. "I am a man of honor and would normally not wish to be called a coward for being frightened by a shadow, but I will gladly make an exception for this! I say we get out of here as quickly as we can!"

"Honor's not about what you are or are not afraid of. It's about doing the right thing. Isn't that why you deserted the Fire Nation? Because they were forcing you to go against your moral principles? We need to help these people. If they were your men you wouldn't hesitate to save them, would you?"

At the Doctor's words, something clicked inside Jeong Jeong's head. He placed one hand in the pocket of his tunic, wrapped his fingers around the Pai Sho tile he always kept with him and closed his eyes, the creed of the Order of the White Lotus ringing through his mind. He mentally kicked himself for allowing himself to be scared like a schoolboy.

"Very well, Doctor. You are right, and I apologize. But let us make this as quick as possible. The sooner we are out of this shadowy place, the better!"

"I couldn't agree more," the Doctor said. He gestured for Jeong Jeong to lead the way.

The two men stayed out of the shadows as much as they could as they made their way to where Jeong Jeong had seen Ta disappear. When they arrived at the scene, they found several Fire Nation naval soldiers and sandbender nomads gathered around Ta's remains. Jeong Jeong's eyes widened. There was nothing left of the soldier but his skeleton and armor.

"What creature of this world could do such a thing?" Jeong Jeong asked, stunned.

The Doctor grimaced. "It's not limited to this world. These things exist on any planet where there is meat. I've never encountered them in swarms large or aggressive enough to attack people before, although I have heard of it happening on some rare occasions."

Jeong Jeong opened his mouth to ask the Doctor exactly what it was that was swarming in the library when he noticed a naval officer circling the corpse with a grim, frustrated expression on his face. Jeong Jeong nudged the Doctor and pointed out the officer.

"That is a man who will test your perception filter. He is Captain Zhao, my former student."

The Doctor glanced at the officer. "So he's in charge of these men, then? Good, he can lead everyone out of here."

"So, does anyone have a logical explanation as to what happened here, or are you all going to stand around chattering like superstitious old women?" Zhao demanded, looking over his men.

"No, sir," one of the men responded. "All we know is that Seaman Ta was alive just a few minutes ago."

"And according to your comrade here, the shadows ate him?" Zhao questioned, visibly irritated.

"That's exactly what happened."

Everyone present turned and looked curiously at the speaker. The Doctor stepped forward, pulling his key over his head and pocketing it. "There's a saying that once all other possible causes of an event have been eliminated, the simplest explanation, no matter how absurd, must be the answer. Tell me, does anyone here have a better idea of what happened?"

"You seem rather sure of yourself, stranger," Zhao said with an edge to his voice. "Are you some sort of expert on shadows? I have a hard time believing a man who can't even dress himself would be an expert in anything other than eating and defecating."

"I shall ignore that remark concerning my dress sense," the Doctor said somewhat venomously. "But believe me, I have traveled farther than you can dream, I have seen things that you would never believe, and I think it's safe to say I am much more intelligent than you. Out of everyone in this room, I am the closest person you have to an authority on this subject."

"Are you admitting to killing one of my men?" Zhao asked, his face just inches from the Doctor's.

"I had nothing to do with the death of your subordinate. But I can introduce you to the culprit."

Zhao smirked skeptically. "Very well. Show us your 'ghosts,' then."

"I will need some sort of meat. A chicken drumstick or some such item will do nicely."

One of the sandbenders stepped forward and offered the Doctor a piece of what had been a lizard-like creature.

"Ah, yes, this will do nicely, thank you. Particularly since the bone is still in it." The Doctor took the lizard and strode toward an unnaturally dark part of the aisle. He squatted down and pointed at the inky shadows that dominated the shelves.

"Now, watch carefully, as I can only do this once." When he was sure he had the attention of everyone present, he tossed the lizard meat into the shadows. No sooner had it crossed the edge of the shadow than all the flesh seemingly evaporated, leaving only the bone to clatter against the floor.

Every man's eyes went wide, and many of them audibly gasped.

The Doctor stood. "Gentlemen, meet the Vashta Nerada; 'Shadows that Melt Flesh.' They normally feed on carrion, but every once in a while, people will go missing in a dark wood. They rarely swarm like this. It is my expert opinion that everyone should vacate the premises immediately. Get out while you still have your lives, and whatever you do, do not let your own shadows touch any others. That's how they hunt. They latch onto their victim and eventually consume them."

The men mumbled nervously to one another, then started to turn and head toward the library entrance.

"Halt!" Zhao shouted. "Where do you think you're going? Running away from shadows like cowardly children!"

"But sir, we're being hunted here," one Fire Nation sailor protested.

"I did not tell you you could leave, private!" Zhao snapped. "Nor do I want excuses!"

"It is neither an excuse nor cowardice, Zhao!" Jeong Jeong shouted. "Only a fool would remain where only death can greet him. If you have any sense at all, you will all flee this place at once!"

Zhao was taken aback. He gaped at his former master for a moment. Slowly his open-mouthed expression transformed into a snide grin. "Well, isn't this fitting. A coward and deserter telling honorable Fire Nation soldiers to follow his example, and run with tail tucked between the legs. I knew you were pathetic, but I didn't realize you'd become scared of your own shadow, master."

Jeong Jeong approached Zhao until the two were face to face. "Better to be called a coward than to be a fool and a hypocrite like you. And a dead fool if you do not do as the Doctor says and flee this place!"

"Oh, he's a doctor, is he?" Zhao said. "And in what medical profession do they advise you to avoid a simple shadow? For that matter, in which part of the Earth Kingdom do doctors wear coats over which they have to shout to make themselves heard?"

"Oh, yes, let's all arbitrarily attack the coat," the Doctor remarked sarcastically. "Because ad hominem is the Vashta Nerada's one weakness!"

Zhao shook his head. "I don't have time for either of you. Men, arrest the deserter and this clown! Both will face trial for whatever part they've played in the death of Seaman Ta. If they resist..." he smirked, "well, then, feed them to the big, bad shadows."

Fire Nation soldiers stepped forward and grabbed the Doctor and Jeong Jeong, wresting their hands behind their backs.

"You're making a mistake, captain!" the Doctor cried. "None of us are safe here! I don't know how the Vashta Nerada could have got into a library, but however they did, we must leave this place and seal it off immediately!"

"Zhao, you idiot!" Jeong Jeong shouted. "The blood of these men will be on your head if you do not heed the Doctor's warning right now!"

"Save it for the rubber cell," Zhao said with a dismissive wave. The men who held the Doctor and Jeong Jeong turned and started marching them toward the entrance.

"Wait! Stop!" the Doctor suddenly shouted, wrenching his neck to look at a nearby sandbender. "That man there!"

Curiosity getting the better of them, the others turned to look at the sandbender the Doctor indicated. The sandbender gave the Doctor a nervous glance. The Doctor returned his gaze, sympathy etched across his features.

"Everyone, back away from him. Don't even let your shadows touch his! He's been targeted."

Everyone shrank back from the sandbender, who paled. "What do you mean? How have I been targeted?"

"I am so terribly sorry," the Doctor began. "But there are three light sources in this aisle. You should have three shadows. But you've got four."

The sandbender looked down to see a fourth shadow at his feet, with no apparent light source. All color drained from his face as he looked up at the Doctor again. "Wh-what's going to happen to me?"

The Doctor could only give him a baleful look and shake his head slightly. The sandbender began to panic.

"But you're a doctor! You know about these things! You have to help me!" He reached out for the nearest men, who shrank further back. "Please, someone! I don't wanna die! I don't..."

In the blink of an eye, the shadow engulfed him, black as night. The sandbender screamed. A moment later, the shadow retreated, leaving the sandbender's skeleton and clothes to crumple to the floor.

Several men screamed. The remaining sandbenders bolted for the exit.

"Stop!" the Doctor shouted. "Not that way!"

Some of the sandbenders skidded to a stop, while others plunged into the suddenly-darkened aisle. Muffled screams were followed by eerie silence.

Zhao's men had begun to whimper, and Zhao himself looked around wild-eyed.

"Do you believe us now, Zhao?" Jeong Jeong snapped.

Zhao could only stare at his former master in fear. His men began to cry out in fright.

"We're doomed!" one man cried.

"We never should have come to this cursed library! Zhao's killed us all!"

"I don't want to die!"

"You're the expert, Doctor! Save us!"

The Doctor's head swam as he tried to piece together an escape plan. The shadows were closing in on them. They were trapped!