Ch 8 the earth king
"Look, we escaped from the Dai Li. We got Appa back. I'm telling you, we should go and see the earth king now and tell him of our plan. We're on a roll." Sokka said.
"One good hour after weeks of trouble isn't much of a roll." Katara said.
"We can build on it. If we want to invade the fire nation when the eclipse happens, we'll need the earth king's support." Sokka said.
"What makes you think we'll get it? In case you haven't noticed, things never go good for our gang." Toph said.
"I know. But I've got a good feeling about this one." Sokka said.
"How much are you willing to risk on this 'good feeling'?" Olivier asked. "Will you risk your life and the lives of your friends and the Avatar?"
"Olivier's right. The risk is too great. We need to leave." Katara said.
"We have Appa back. Nothing can stop us from seeing the Earth King and telling him of the conspiracy and the war." Aang said.
"Jesus Christ. You still don't get it, do you? Long Feng is preparing the defenses as we speak. Even if we move right now and make it through the defenses and all the guards and Dai Li agents, the king won't listen. Hell, killing all his guards and soldiers and breaking into his room, the king will think we're enemies, not allies. There is no way to convince the king of your plan, and sure as hell don't have the time to come up with a decent plan." Olivier said.
"We're heading to meet the king. And there's nothing that can stop us. We got Appa and the Avatar." Sokka said.
"Then God help us. If your plan fails, he's the only one who can end this war." Olivier said.
The group flew on Appa towards the palace, and was quickly shot at by SAR. Surface to air rocks.
"Incoming!" Sokka shouted.
"I told you this would happen!" Katara shouted.
Landing thru heavy anti-air fire, the group proceeds to lay waste to the earth kingdom guards. Granted, these kids were fighting their own guerilla war against the superior fire nation, and General Armstrong fought Homunculi, and was known to dish out curb stomp battles of her own. Needless to say, they mowed the earth kingdom guards down like nothing.
"Start searching the rooms. The sooner we find the king, the better." Olivier said, as she kicked down a door. When she saw nothing, she continued the search. At the end of the hall, was a large and impressive set of doors. Olivier scoffed at it all.
"Of course. It's always the big fancy doors at the end of the hallway that contain our objective." She muttered.
Sokka ran towards the door in an attempt to break it down. It didn't work.
"Are you stupid or something? Doors that big won't come down so easily." Olivier said.
Toph and Aang had no qualms about using their bending to break the doors down.
"A little more warning next time." Sokka said.
Olivier saw the king, with Long Feng standing next to him, and several Dai Li agents standing in front.
"We have to talk to you." Aang said.
"There here to overthrow you." Long Feng said to the king.
"No, we're on your side. We're here to help you!" Sokka said.
"You invade my palace. Lay waste to my guards, and break down my door. And you expect me to trust you?" the earth king asked.
"He does have a point." Toph said.
"Told you this wouldn't work." Olivier added.
"If you're on my side, drop your weapons and stand down." The king said.
They dropped their weapon, only for the Dai Li to cuff their hands.
"Make sure the Avatar and his friends never see the light of day again." Long Feng said.
"The Avatar?" Kuei asked.
"What does it matter? They're enemies of the state." Long Feng said.
"Maybe. But if this is the Avatar… I'll hear what he has to say." Kuei said.
"There's a war going on for a hundred years. The Dai Li has kept it secret from you. It's a conspiracy to control the city." Aang said.
"A secret war, that's crazy." Kuei said.
"Long Feng didn't want us to tell you. He stole our bison to blackmail us. And that's the least of his crimes." Aang said.
"All lies. I never even seen one. Their extinct." Long Feng said.
"Your claim is difficult to believe, even from the Avatar." Kuei said.
Just as they were to be led away into prison, Aang and Sokka managed to convince the king to hear them out, by showing the King the bite mark from Appa, and comparing it to the bison's teeth.
"The matter is worth looking into." Kuei said.
Olivier's eyes followed Long Feng as he disappeared.
He knows about the secret base. He'll destroy it as to discredit us. The drill is our last option to convince the king.
Just like Olivier thought, the secret Dai Li base was destroyed.
"This is a waste of my time. I'm heading back to the palace." Kuei said.
"If you come with us to the outer wall, we can show you that the war is real." Aang said.
"No earth king has been to the outer wall." Kuei said.
"Then how the hell did you ever become king, other than birthright? If you haven't been to the outer wall, how can you expect to run your country when the war is over? If you survive?" Olivier asked.
The group headed to the drill, hoping to convince the king. Much to their relief, it was still there.
"What is that?" Kuei asked.
"A drill. Made by the fire nation to break the wall and invade your city." Katara said.
Long Feng appeared with two Dai Li agents, and attempted to bullshit his way thru.
"This merely a construction project, your majesty." He said.
"Really?" Katara sarcastically asked. "Then why does your construction project have a fire nation insignia?"
"Well, it's imported off course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery." Long Feng said, destroying the last bit of trust the king had in him, by saying he imported technology from their enemy.
"Surely you believe these kids over your most trusted advisor?" he asked, nervous.
"Dai Li. Arrest Long Feng. I want him tried for treason and crimes against the state." Kuei said.
The two agents gave each other a suspicious look, then cuffed Long Feng with metal cuffs.
"You can't arrest me! You all need me more then you know!" Long Feng shouted.
"Yeah. Long Feng, is long gone!" Sokka said.
That night, they talked with the king.
"We're at war, with the fire nation." He said, horrified.
"That's right. We can help you end the war." Sokka said.
"We don't have much time. There's a comet coming this summer. Its energy will give the fire nation immense power. They'll be unstoppable." Aang said.
"But there is hope. Before the comet comes, we have a window of opportunity. A solar eclipse is coming. The sun will be blocked out by the moon, and the fire benders will be helpless." Sokka said.
"What are you suggesting, Sokka?" Kuei asked.
Olivier butted in, having an idea of her own.
"You want suggestions? You're on the losing end of this fight. Give it up before you all die." Olivier said.
"What?" Kuei asked.
"The remains of your army won't last 5 seconds in a full scale battle against the fire nation. Pull every man and women capable of bearing arms out of the city. Have them conduct guerilla warfare. When the time is right, converge on the coast of the earth kingdom, and launch an attack on the fire nation when the black day occurs. You'll have to abandon this city, but you'll have a chance of ending the war." Olivier said.
"And there's another problem you idiots failed to think of, let alone address. When you beat the fire nation, you still have hundreds of loyal colonists and citizens to contend with. And rest assured, the earth king's armies will be reduced from that battle. It's war. Casualties happen. How are you going to convince the citizens that killing the fire lord and his general is the right thing? They could rise up in arms and destroy the remnant forces, and end the war on their terms. If the Avatar wants to end the war for good, he'll have to use the Avatar state, and crush every last colony the fire nation has in the earth kingdom. Let that sink in your minds for a while." Olivier said.
General How came in to visit them and showed them several important letters and documents concerning the group. All intercepted by the Dai Li. Toph received a letter from her mom. Sokka and Katara received news that their father was in Chameleon Bay, outside the city. Aang received a letter from a Guru, who could help him master the Avatar state.
Olivier received a letter from Fuhrer Roy Mustang. She opened it, scowling on the inside. What did the bastard have to say to her?
Dear General Armstrong
We're unable to send forces to assist you and the Avatar. We're busy with the rebuilding of Ishval, and tensions between Amestris and Drachma are dangerously high. We'll need all available forces to defend the country if war breaks out.
From, Fuhrer Mustang.
The plans were soon set. Olivier and Sokka would go to the bay to assist the water tribe ships. Olivier wouldn't take part in planning the invasion. She knew it would fail no matter what. Even if they did take out the head command, they still had to deal with the citizens and colonist. And they wouldn't have the manpower for that ordeal.
As Olivier, Aang and Sokka flew on Appa towards the bay, Aang and Sokka were talking about how things were going good.
"So you honestly think things are turning your way?" Olivier asked.
"Yeah. They are." Sokka said.
"Great. Now let me slap some reality into your face. Fact: we still have a war to fight. Fact: It's months between now and the solar eclipse. God knows what'll happen between now and there. And even if we do win, we still have to fight all the angry citizens and colonists, for killing their leader. To be blunt, we'll be fighting the fire nation for another decade or so." Olivier said.