Kosai, one of the low ranking members of the monk council, was walking briskly through the halls of the Earth Kingdom palace. In his youth, he trained to be an Airbender, as those blessed with the gift. But being young and restless, he grew impatient of the pacifist ways of the monks, and left to go fight in the war. He did have some personal ambition, he wanted to see what his worth was as a warrior, with nothing but a spear and sword, he would forge his future and his destiny. More importantly, he was fighting for his people's lord protector, the Earth King, and he would help vanquish the Fire Nation.
But that was a lifetime ago.
Nowadays he is a simple old monk, who has quite a few friends in the Order of the White Lotus. Today, he is to restart the young Avatar's monastic studies, which is very important since the Avatar is the Supreme Spiritual and Temporal Leader of the Air Nomads. Trying not to let his personal pride get in the way, Kosai was focusing on tutoring the boy, as he would with any other student who came under his wing, such as Lord Date Masamune and Lord Hojo Mao.
"Your Holiness," Kosai said as crept into Avatar Aang's dim guest bedchamber. "Your Holiness," Kosai said softly as he stood beside the bed and gently shook Aang's shoulder. Aang moved lethargically in bed as he pulled the covers, revealing that he had a bunk mate, evidently even in their sleep Aang and Katara were now inseparable. Kosai's eyes widened slightly, having been caught completely by surprise. Scanning the room he saw clothes scattered throughout the room. It was clear that the young Avatar had become a man, and had a night of passion with his sweetheart. Kosai replaced the covers over the two young lovers and he crept out of the room without making a sound.
"Ah, Your Grace!" exclaimed Kuei with his arms outstretched welcomingly. "Is Aang up yet?"
Kosai closed the door sharply instantly red with embarrassment, as he pressed an index finger against his closed lips.
"His Holiness...is still sleeping," he said quickly as he grabbed Kuei's arm and led him away from the room.
Aang awoke as the sunlight crept onto the bed, bathing him and Katara in its life-giving glow. Last night was amazing, he knew that he had to be wary of earthly desires, but why deny himself of his feelings of love and passion for the one he loved? Supporting himself with one arm he watched Katara sleep soundly. The sunlight made her exotic dark skin glow. Her tea colored hair permed and scented with sweet perfume that excited his senses. But it was not only her looks and womanly features that drew Aang to her. He awed in her graceful steps as she walked and danced, her passion for truth and justice, the way she looked when she sewed a pattern of embroidery that she learned from Aang's niece, Yumiko. It was also her beautiful, enchanting voice when she sang or simply spoke. He truly did not deserve her.
But a thought crept in his mind that unsettled him. It was the realization that everyone in his clan, including Yumiko's eldest brother Asuma, are all so distant from him. The only people who he really knows in this new world are Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Appa, Momo, and Mao. The Air Nomads are so different from him, just like the day when Mao first rescued him and sought refuge in an Air Nomad community.
"Umm, Mao?"
"Yeah?"
"Do I really have to wear this?" Aang held up a fur vest coat made of rabbits' fur, with an inner lining of silk.
"Yes, it will keep you warm for sure. Especially since your regular cotton clothes have yet to dry."
"But it's from a dead animal!" whined Aang. He was wearing regular clothes that were made out of wool and black cloth boots. His shirt was embroidered which he appreciated, while his pants were brown. But since it was winter, he needed to wear his clothes in layers, including a jacket.
"Well, if I have enough money, I'll go to the market and buy you a few sets of new clothes," Mao offered, trying to keep his composure.
Aang did a little mental math and quickly concluded that it would cost one sovereign to clothe him, which would make them go over their budget. That means less money for traveling expenses and probably skipped meals. "Fine," he said in resignation.
"Don't worry about the animals. Nowadays we bless them before we end their lives."
"What do you say?"
"We say 'In the name of God.' Oh, and put this on." Mao handed Aang a felt hat, with an inner lining of fur that covered his arrows, with flaps that covered his ears. "With that you'll pass as an Air Nomad. No one will look twice at you."
"Why should I hide my arrows?" Aang whined.
"Because it's the easiest way for the Fire Nation to find Airbenders. Nowadays, anyone who has those tattoos gets stuff thrown at them. Or worse."
Aang felt as though Mao had mentally slapped him. What was once a mark of pride was now a stigmata.
"Why do people do stuff like that? How can they be so cruel?"
"Why is the sky blue? Why are there assholes in the world? I don't know Aang. I can't make people change, and I certainly can't stop people from hunting you. So the order of the day, is survival," Mao placed the hat on Aang's head. It was a perfect fit.
"Well, why should I change? I would be denying what I am and our culture. It's a part of me."
"I'm not telling you to change or remove your tattoos, I'm just telling you to keep a low profile."
"Is that why you don't have any arrows? Is because of-"
"Hurry up and get dressed. We don't want to miss out on the festival do we?"
At the festival, everyone was in their best clothes. The men wore embroidered jackets, long sleeved tunics that reached halfway down their thighs, pants, and cloth boots. Some had ones with an inner lining of fur. If they were not wearing a fur hat, they were wearing a skull cap or a wrapped cloth. All of the older men had grown beards while the young men were clean shaven. The women wore also boots, pants, a longer tunic, a skullcap and a shawl, thereby covering almost their whole body except for their face and hands. Everyone pretty much wore the same style of dress. Katara and Sokka were able to fit right in with their fur parkas, despite their Water Tribe style of dress. Katara sang and danced with the children and with girls her age, while Sokka hanged out with the guys, drinking vodka and eating a lot of meat.
As Aang and Mao were standing in line to get some food, there was a small band playing some stringed instruments. None of which Aang was familiar with.
"Hey Mao, what instruments are these?"
"That," pointed Mao at the biggest instrument, "is what they call a cello. The smaller version that that guy is cradling under his chin, is called a violin. They're playing a duet."
"Did our people come up with those?"
"No. They're from the Fire Nation colonies," Mao said causally.
"The Fire Nation?" Aang asked incredulously. "I thought that you all hated the Fire Nation."
"Quite a few of us grew up in the colonies. I also lived there for a short time and attended one of their academies."
"So, even though you hate the Fire Nation, you still want to learn from them. Why?"
"It doesn't make sense not to." Mao shrugged as he grabbed a plate and started ladling rice onto his plate.
"So what would you like dear? Lamb or steak?" asked an middle-aged woman when Aang came across her. She had a butcher's knife in one hand at the ready, with a large two-prong skewer dug into the mound of meat in the other. Standing next to her was a woman who looked like a younger version of herself.
"Um, no thank you," replied Aang.
"Oh, come now. You're nothing but skin and bones. Don't you want to grow big and strong? Girls like that you know. Isn't that right Mao-kun?" The woman started piling a whole rack of lamb and a thick cut of steak onto a plate and shoved into Aang's face.
Aang put his hand up to decline the offending dish and said, "No, thank you. I'm sorry, I don't like meat."
The woman looked at Aang with confusion.
"He doesn't eat meat Auntie," interjected Mao. Even though he was unrelated to the woman, he still addressed to all older women as 'auntie'. Likewise he addressed older men as 'uncle'.
"He doesn't eat meat?" asked the woman incredulously.
"No," Aang simply replied.
"You don't eat meat?!" The woman asked loudly enough for everyone to hear. The effect was immediate as everything and everyone stopped - the music stopped playing, the dancers stopped dancing, the babies stopped crying, the dogs stopped barking, the clanging of drinking glasses, and eating utensils stopped - as they all stared at the hapless trio, with the realization that a vegetarian was in their midst.
"It's okay," the woman said to break the very awkward silence, "I'll bring you some duck." She patted reassuringly on Aang's shoulder, and the party went on as though nothing had happened.
"...Avatar Aang...Avatar Aang. Your Holiness."
"Hmm?" Aang replied breaking out of his reverie. He was with Kosai in the King Kuei's study, he studying a wide variety of subjects. Right now, he was supposed to be studying philosophy but fell asleep with his eyes open.
"Have you been paying attention?"
"Umm," Aang tried to find an answer.
"Aiya," Kosai sighed, "I cannot stress how important these studies are for you. If you cannot do something as simple as keeping your thoughts in the present and pay attention-"
"I'm sorry! I won't fall asleep again, I promise!"
The grandfather clock chimed signalling that it was noon. The massive timepiece was as a goodwill gift from Kanto's Chief Ambassador Okubo Nagayasu. Handmade by the machinist, Xi Ying, who now had a research and development firm. The company makes its money from patent royalties. Xi Ying's latest invention is called the automobile.
"Well, it seems as though we are both a bit tired and hungry. Especially after last night," Kosai said without failing to notice Aang squirm with embarrassment. "After lunch, we shall have to repeat the lesson. Word for word."
Aang let a loud exaggerated groan. He dearly missed his old tutor, Tenzin.
"Word for word," Kosai repeated himself before leaving the room. As he made his way to the kitchen he was greeted by the rest of the Council of Thirteen. It was rare for all of the councilmen to be gathered in one place.
"Kosai, may we have a word for you?" said one of them.
"Certainly brother," replied Kosai who followed them to the cherry blossom grove, which seems to be the favorite place to have a secret rendezvous.
"Kosai, you are aware of the situation in Kanto and the Air Nomad countries?"
"Yes, I am."
"The king's ministers have declared them to be rogue provinces."
Kosai shot a leveled glance at his fellow.
"Surely you don't believe that our countrymen are to be rogues? For one, Kuei's grandfather made a promise with the Hojo to restore their lands to them if they fought to defend the Earth Kingdom. The Earth King was desperate enough to include all of the Air Nomads. Two, they are independent countries. Even if the Earth Kingdom tries to claim otherwise, it doesn't hold any water."
"Of course we don't believe the accusations. But as things as they are, it would be best if we were stay unaligned on the issue."
"Since when did we decide on this?" Kosai asked incredulously.
"We already made the decision already. We also decided that you should go on pilgrimage. We thought that we tell you in person."
Kosai glanced from person to person with confusion. "Just like that without even telling me? Now wait just a minute! You were the ones who decided that I should teach Aang and bring him up to speed on his studies. He's going to have to be ready to takeover from your regency Lobsang."
"Yes, but," Lobsang said slowly trying to appear patient, "We need you in Yu Dao to see about the spiritual health of the Air Nomad community. There have been rumours of Air Nomad acolytes there. And if the rumours are true, you would be doing a great service by giving them proper tutelage in our religion."
"And who will teach Aang?"
"Don't we already have things under control-"
"WHO?"
"Abe will take over teaching the Avatar."
"Abe? Hardly the tactful choice. The boy will learn only to revere the Emperor."
"Whose lineage includes reincarnations of the Avatar to begin with. It is not unusual for the Avatar and Earth King to partner with each other. It's been done throughout the ages."
Kosai turned away and threw his hands in the air in frustration, then turned and faced LobSang again.
"We are still a government-in-exile! By staying in Ba Sing Se, we are setting ourselves apart from our brethren! You won't let Aang leave the palace, and now you switch teachers on him?!"
"That is the sort of attitude that we do not want to rub off onto the Avatar."
"His name is Aang!"
"Well Aang does not need a bad influence like yourself. So why don't you go to Yu Dao, where you can do the most good?"
"Is that an order?"
"...Yes. It is. You have taken an oath of obedience, so you cannot disobey your superiors. Now, go."
"How much more time do I have with Aang?"
"You will leave immediately. You may say good bye to him before you leave though."
Kosai turned and glared at the rest of the councilmen who were silent. "You're just going to let him do whatever he wants? Don't you have a mind of your own?"
The councilmen gazed back at him expressionless.
"I thought so," Kosai turned and left. When he returned to the library he walked in on Aang and Katara on one of their makeout sessions. "Tachibana Aang!" he shouted.
Both teens were wide-eyed when they saw the old man glaring disapprovingly at them. Katara shot up from Aang's lap and ran out of seat behind a bookshelf. Aang got up slowly, though he was somewhat indignant that his tutor had interrupted him.
"Miss Katara, will you please leave. I wish to speak with my pupil in private," Kosai said gently.
Katara peeked around the corner and looked visibly distraught as she turned to leave.
"Sifu, I-" Aang began his apologies but Kosai held a hand up silencing him.
"Aang, let me speak. I don't have much time."
Aang furrowed his brow and sat down.
"I have been sent to Yu Dao. Where I will attend to the people's spiritual needs."
"Our people live there as well?"
"Yes. Our people live throughout the world, especially in the areas controlled by the Fire Nation. After the razing of the temples, most were forcefully deported to the colonies in an effort to subjugate. But we shall talk more on that someday. Aang, you are not the brightest student that I have had to teach. And your idleness and your indulgences in physical pleasures has been the most disconcerting."
Aang became visibly indignant and defensive.
"I am not saying that you should not love, or lack compassion for others, Aang," Kosai spoke before Aang could reply. "But you do let your emotions cloud your judgement. So much so that you lose track of what matters. Remember what I have told you. As the Avatar, you must be the example of others to follow."
Aang nodded in acknowledgement, prompting Kosai to continue, but before he could continue the Ten Attendants appeared.
"Master Kosai," Li Su bowed to them. "Your carriage awaits."
"I'll be right there-"
"Earth King Kuei also wishes to see the Avatar, he says it's urgent."
Aang quickly rose but looked lost, exchanging glances from Kosai to the ministers. Everything was happening so fast.
"I'll see you later Kosai, I'll be right back," said Aang with most of the Attendants closely following him. Kosai's face hardened as he gazed at Aang's retreating back, uncertain when or if he would see him.
"Hello Aang," said King Kuei warmly, his arms stretched out as though he was going to give the young Avatar a big bear hug.
"Hey Aang!" Sokka and Katara waved at their best friend. "You're just in time, we were about to have lunch."
"Chief Minister Li Su said that you had something important to talk about?"
"Yeah, lunch!" remarked Sokka before digging into a pile of spare ribs.
"Yes I do, please sit down," urged Kuei with a million dollar smile. "Go on and eat! I had the cooks prepare all your favorites!"
"But-"
"It won't take long," reassured Kuei. "But I do have something to talk to you about Aang. It concerns your friend Mao."
"What about Mao?" asked Katara.
"I know that he is your friend. But he is opposing the Harmony Restoration Movement. He opposes the peace that we are trying so hard to create."
"Mao would never do that," Aang scoffed.
"But there were times when Mao scared me. He always went on about how you should talk to Kuei about letting him control parts of the Earth Kingdom," said Katara.
"He did, did he?" muttered Kuei.
"Yeah, and he still owes me a steak dinner!" Sokka chimed in.
"It all makes sense now."
"What does?" asked Aang.
"I didn't want to bring this up. But my ministers tells me that there is clear evidence, that Mao was prepared to support the traitor Long Feng after he overthrew me."
"Mao was part of the coup d'etat?" asked Katara wide-eyed. "But that was all Azula and the Dai Li."
"I'm afraid that Mao was also had an active role in it," Kuei said forlornly. "He is not above such subterfuge and treachery, and I believe him to be very dangerous. Long Feng was last spotted in Emerald City in Kanto on Mao's personal ship. And just a few days ago he helped Azula escape from prison. I just received a personal letter from Fire Lord Zuko." Kuei handed a letter with Zuko's handwriting on it to Aang, who snatched it away and started to pore over it. "As an Earth Kingdom citizen, who aided the coup against the royal government, Mao has committed treason. And by law, he and his entire clan are to be destroyed."
Aang, Katara, and Sokka were visibly horrified.
"You can't do that!" protested Aang.
"I am the Emperor!" shouted Kuei, causing the teenagers to jump and shirk away from him. "Mao is too dangerous! He opposes you Aang! He's been doing things behind your back since the beginning! He never wanted peace, he wants to tear down everything that you've worked so hard for, don't you see that?"
"What did he do?" asked Katara with a troubled brow.
"He helped create a spy ring called the Kazekage. Who go around spying on everyone. He recruited Jet who tried to flood a village, and hurt many innocents just to get at a few Fire Nation soldiers. He recruited a sinister Bloodbender in the Fire Nation to continue her evil work. And then he goes ahead and helps Long Feng and Azula in their coup, and helped them escape from justice."
"I-I don't believe you..." said Katara warily. Just a little more and she would fall into line.
"Look, look at these." Kuei waved a copy of an old news pamphlet. "Printing lies and deception to undermine our government! Undermining our resolve! He is creating a propaganda campaign of hatred, to take advantage of the ignorance of the people, and to turn them against the Harmony Restoration Movement. He has spies everywhere. And he is growing stronger by the day."
"He's spreading hatred too?" asked Katara.
"Yes. I'm afraid so," said Kuei his shoulders shrunken as though he was mourning.
Katara slouched in her chair in dark contemplation, as Aang and Sokka watched her with concern.
"Aang. I think we need to talk to Mao," said Sokka finally.
"How? Where can we find him?" asked Aang.
"I believe I can help you with that," said an older gentleman dressed in fine silks.
"Ah, Lord Dong Zhou. Aang, meet one of my most trusted lords. He was the one who told me about Long Feng," said Kuei cheerfully.
"Your Imperial Majesty honors me with his praise. But I am afraid that I am unable to capture the traitor Long Feng at this time. He is well hidden in Kanto. The Kazekage are most likely helping him."
"But how are we going to find Mao? He's like a super spy!" exclaimed Sokka.
"Find and hunt down the Kazekage and you will find Mao," said Dong Zhuo with severity.
"Where do we find the Kazekage?" asked Katara darkly.
Dong Zhou restrained a smirk. "We can find them in the Fire Nation colonies."
"All right then," Aang rose to his feet, with the same look of determination and finality before going against Ozai. "We shall go to the colonies. I will personally oversee the Harmony Restoration Movement succeed. Zuko and I started this, now let's finish it. And Mao gets in the way, I will defeat him and take away his Airbending."
Later LobSang of the Council of Thirteen, and Chief Minister Li Su of the Ten Attendants met in secret, walking about the underground catacombs of Ba Sing Se.
"I heard that the Avatar will be leaving Ba Sing Se. This isn't what we agreed on," said LobSang.
"We must accelerate our plans. More and more colonies are breaking away from the Fire Nation, and joining the so-called Air Nomad Co-Prosperity Movement," replied Li Su.
"So let them," LobSang said brusquely. "It is only a matter of time before we are ready to strike."
"Yes. But the Kazekage thwart us at every turn."
"How?"
"They are everywhere. Kanto have these things called telegraph wires. Not only do they have the most railway lines in the continent, they are able to communicate faster than anyone."
"How is this possible?"
"They bought them from the Fire Nation."
"The Fire Nation," said LobSang as though he was swearing. "In the end we are still fighting the Fire Nation. The Khans are just mere puppets who support their master, the real enemy is the one controlling them."
"And the Fire Nation is supporting their puppets. Even as we speak, they are helping build telegraph wires across the oceans to allow their consulates communicate with one another. Their consulate in the North Pole will be able to send messages to their consulate in the South Pole. And the message will travel in just a few hours. Of course, they can send messages from Kanto to all of the colonies and the Fire Nation."
LobSang looked incredulously at his companion. "How is this possible?" he breathed. "Then we must move quickly. Or else all will be lost."
"Dong Zhuo will have control over the Avatar for the time being. He will bring order to the colonies. And with the Avatar by his side. He will be unstoppable."
"What if he turns on us?"
"I have that already taken care of," smirked Li Su, the light from his torch made shadows on his face, made him unintentionally more menacing. If he was aware of it, he did not show it.