Two days later Captain Hong, Zahira, and Niang in the forests outside Ba Sing Se. Bumi and Toph had elected to stay inside the walled city, in Toph's cause because she couldn't conceal her bending, in Bumi's because he was serving as the point of contact between the group and Suyin Beifong in Zaofu. Niang's brother Sovan had desperately wanted to join them, but was staying with the rest of the kids back on Air Temple Island.

"Tell me Nia, why exactly did we wake up at three in the morning for a nature tour? Can't this wait?" Zahira said as she batted away bugs and branches.

"They start their training at five on the dot. I just want to get there with enough time to change into our outfits." the teenager said, taking some twisting turns here and there.

"Outfits?" Captain Hong asked, nearly tripping over a rock.

"Remember training camp and how they made you dress a specific way for it? Same principle applies here. Speaking of which," the teenager said, stopping to pull three bundles out of her bag. "You're going to need this."

The two officers caught the bundles that the teen threw to them and opened it. Inside was a drab green jumpsuit with a high collar that went to the elbows and knees. Next were two pieces of fabric that looked like an incomplete skirt. They looked up quizzically at Niang.

"For extra warmth," she clarified as she changed. "The maroon thigh piece goes first, and then the black belted one."

After that came gloves with maroon traction pieces that went up past the elbow. When put on, it looked like it was part of the jumper itself. Knit socks came after that. Boots that went up to the knee attached to the jumper through hidden hooks. Finally came the face coverings.

Goggles tinted green for enhanced night vision went on first. Then went a slightly suffocating black mask that covered the entire face except for the mouth, as that was were the voice-altering mouthpiece went. A maroon scarf that concealed the end of the face mask and mouthpiece finished off the look.

"Hmm, these outfits remind of the ones the compound attackers wore," Zahira noted. "Do you know if they've traveled outside of their camp?"

"Last time I checked they didn't, but they could have gotten stronger," the teenager said. After walking a few more steps, she stopped. "Here we are," Niang said, pulling back some tree branches. Everyone gasped.

The simple camp Niang had told them about was gone, an extremely organized compound in its place. Large buildings rose up around three main areas. Swarms of similarly-dress soldiers marched out of the buildings and to the two main fields, which were split up into smaller areas.

"Come with me," the teen said, pulling them to one of the smaller fields. They found themselves marching with the beginner group. At the leader's call, they fell into position. With their outfits, the group fit in seamlessly. They went through an entire day of classes and training, as if they really were going to become part of these mercenaries. It wasn't until later that day, however, when they got the fright of their lives.

A special ceremony for the graduating class had been announced. All the trainees shuffled into the amphitheater, with the graduating members on the stage."Welcome, welcome!" The announcer boomed. "I and your comrades congratulate you students on your accomplishments today. But before we get down to it, we have a special surprise for you!"

Two soldiers dragged an oddly calm man on stage. The trio was confused before recognizing the man, after which their blood turned cold. Hong and Niang only barely managed to keep Zahira in her seat.

"Do you want to get us killed?" Niang hissed.

"That's my husband up there! What does he even think he's doing?"

"Hey kid, how good are you at subtly waterbending?" Hong asked.

"Pretty good, why?"

"Because it looks like there's a water pipe right next to you."

Without hesitation, Zahira lit a small fire under the pipe. As soon as it was close to bursting, she loosened it, allowing Niang to subtly waterbend an obscuring mist into the area. People ran everywhere, which provided enough of a distraction for the captain to drag Bumi to safety. Zahira kissed him deeply and then slapped him upside the head.

"Love, what on earth did you think you were doing? You could have been hurt!"

"OUCH! And how, exactly? They apparently were going to do something to me that only affects benders, so it's not like I would have been hurt."

"Did you find those missing benders?" Niang asked.

"No, I didn't," Bumi replied. "But I think it's time we paid a visit to little Suyin."


Niang thought she was dreaming when she saw Zaofu for the first time.

She hadn't noticed they had arrived at first. When she saw the metal lotuses situated in the mountains, she figured it was some sort of strange art installation an artist from Ba Sing Se had made. However, once they unfurled Niang laid her eyes on the most beautiful city she had ever seen. Little metal islands with metal buildings, expansive gardens, all interconnected by speedy train cars—it like living inside a fantasy novel. Even that, however, could not have prepared her for Suyin's expansive estate hidden amongst lush gardens which were themselves contained in a giant metal lotus. Upon entering the main hall, Niang and the others gasped as a dance troupe practiced an aerial routine using only iron cables. Toph, however, was unimpressed.

"Suyin, are you going to keep playing around or are you going to greet your houseguests?"

In response, Suyin effortlessly spun to the ground using a single cord. "It's good to see you too mom," she said, giving her mother a warm embrace. "Please, everyone, come with me. I know we have a lot to talk about, but my chef is planning a dinner that's shaping up to being absolutely delicious."

Not 20 minutes later was the group seated in the expansive dining room, large bowls of noodle soup garnished with fresh herbs and thinly sliced meat ready for the eating. Suyin politely made small talk with each member of the group about their time in Ba Sing Se before launching into her intended topic of conversation.

"So as I understand it, there is a giant standing army of anti-benders outside of Ba Sing Se ready to go whenever? How is this possible? Better yet, who on earth could fund such an expensive venture?"

Zahira started listing potential supporters. "World leaders, wealthy industrialists, bored eccentrics—"

"The Satos would have enough money to fund it," Toph interjected thoughtfully. "Plus, Hiroshi has the motive."

Everyone stared quizzically at the former chief of police.

"You do know that his wife is a firebender who trained under Fire Lord Zuko and served as a lady-in-waiting to Azula, right?" Zahira said.

"Of course. But back when I was chief and Hiroshi was just a kid, the Red Monsoons killed his father and blood bent his mother into insanity. He basically had to fend for himself as a kid in Dragon Flats, which was even dicier then than it is now. It is possible he's harbored anti-bending sentiment this entire time, even considering his wife."

Bumi cleared his throat. "While these anti-benders are truly troublesome, I think we need to be concerned about the missing benders more than anything."

Suyin turned to face her brother-in-law. "Why, are they being targeted by the bugmen?"

"Yes, and let me tell you we are vastly underestimating them. These aren't just any benders. The firebender is a combustion bender, the water bender is a psychic bender, and the earth bender is a lava bender. When I let myself get captured by the anti-benders, all they wanted to talk about was about how they were so close to capturing these benders, and then one of their own betrayed them and helped them get away."

In a move reminiscent of Lin, Suyin massaged her temples. "So not only do we have anti-benders that are possibly being funded by Hiroshi Sato, we also have incredibly powerful benders with some sort of agenda on the loose. Either way, we can't let them get anywhere near our Avatar."

Suyin stayed quiet for a few moments, mulling over her thoughts. "I want more than anything to help you all protect my niece; the problem is, they haven't outwardly attacked Republic City. If I were to send a fleet now, Republic City would assume I'm attacking them when that is certainly not the case. So instead what I propose is this: My family will travel with you all under the premise of a 'family trip,' that way I can monitor the situation on the ground myself without drawing suspicious. The minute anything seems fishy, I'll radio the Metal Clan. With our trains and ground support, we'll have troops ready to help within the day."

"My fleet is still in Republic City," Zahira's superior Captain Hong offered. "I can write to the commander for permission to stay longer and commence training exercises in the bay. Considering we're still repairing the damage we sustained in our attacks, I imagine my request will be readily accepted."

Toph eagerly rubbed her hands together. "Let's kick some butt and protect the Avatar!"