You were manipulating everyone from the start Mao! Especially Zuko, you were in Yu Dao, Sinkiang spreading your lies! Admit it! You convinced everyone to go against everything that we worked so hard to change! You didn't want peace, so you started another war, why?!
I did not manipulate anyone Aang. It is true that I worked against you. I simply connected with people who agreed with me towards a common goal. In regards to Zuko, what he said to you in Yu Dao all those years ago were his own words. I did not put them there. When Zuko decided to renege on his promises that he made at the Peace Accords, it was ultimately his own decision. Even though it was not a wise decision but he made it. His actions were but one of countless brave men and women who helped in the Independence Movement.
The Independence Movement, the Air Nomad Co-Prosperity Movement, it's just a ploy for your path to power, just like Ozai and Sozin!
...I am very surprised of you Aang. You honestly and truly believe that?
Yes, you're fighting for the wrong reasons. This war is illegal and immoral.
I never signed any treaty nor make any promises at the Peace Accords. I am fighting against imperialists who invaded my country, forced me from my home, stole my land, and spilt the blood of my countrymen.
The crimes the Earth Kingdom will not go unpunished, Keui will see to it.
Except for his close friends and confidants and neither will betray their circles of friends.
But it does not relinquish the crimes that you and the Kazekage have committed against the Earth Kingdom!
We committed no crimes against the Earth Kingdom. The lands we invaded were already under foreign military occupation. And I am proud for what I have done. But you are right Aang, war is horrible and is filled with unimaginable evil. But I had to do what had to be done and countless generations will be thankful for it.
How deluded can you get that you regret nothing? Not for all of the lives you destroyed, the chaos that you caused in the Earth Kingdom, for destroying the peace that we both fought for? The world should not suffer just so that one nation can benefit. You think that you're some kind of saint, but you're a warmongering monster Mao.
I serve my king and my country. Who do you serve Avatar Aang?
In the Son of Heaven's Imperial Palace the Council of Five marched in lockstep, their heavy tread echoing off the granite walls. The wizened ministers and young government officials watched them with curiosity, as the servants scooted out of the way the Councilmen marched past.
"Ladies," General Fong flirted with a couple of young giggling chambermaids. The long faced and solemn General Song had a spring and a swagger in his step. General Han and General How were both serious and looked like they were men on a mission. The fifth Councilman was still recovering from his injuries from the food riots.
The Imperial Guardsmen who stood at the door of the throne room bowed, and placed their hands on their swords as they marched past.
They were greeted by the sight of their sovereign playing with his pet bear, trying to get him to climb onto a ball and walk on it with its hind legs. The docile animal simply stared at its master as Kuei said, "Come on boy, you can do it!" Keui jumped onto the ball and promptly fell.
"Dearest!" Princess Iroha rushed over to him. The Ten Attendants watching and waiting in the wings.
"I'm fine, it's okay. Oh, Generals! What news from the front?" said Kuei as he dusted himself off as the Councilmen bowed to the Son of Heaven.
General Han leader of the Council of Five said, "The war goes well Your Majesty. As Your Majesty has instructed we have contemplated long and hard of a grand strategy to defeat the Nomads. We have called upon the noble lords of the empire and have aroused the whole dominion. The Nomads are no match against our strategy as they flee without giving battle. SinKiang fell to His Majesty's Armies in 3 days. Almost all of Nomad countries have fallen to Your Majesty's Divine Will in 4 weeks. The empire is united behind the Son of Heaven."
Keui nodded with delight but his face fell, "Almost?"
"There are still some pockets of resistance, but the only real threats are Lord Takeda Shingen of Kai, and Lord Honda Tadakatsu of Kanto," replied General How.
"And the bandits?"
General Fong spoke up, "General Han and I have long since crushed the bandits long before we invaded-"
"Ahem," someone grunted.
"-liberated the Nomad countries. The bandits have laid down their arms, they will no longer be threat to the empire," replied General Fong. Song gave the young general a sharp glance.
"Good. Is there anything else you would like to add General Song?" asked Kuei his hands behind his back.
"Your Imperial Highness. I will not lie to you nor hide the truth from you. In order to help pacify the bandits we- I mean, I decided, to grant amnesty to some of the bandits. In exchange they would point their blades against the enemies of the empire. Many of the men I have granted amnesty to are talented officers who all fought for the empire against the evil Fire Nation. They were branded as bandits by our enemies. Some of them were granted a commission as high ranking officers, in Your Majesty's name."
Kuei was clearly agitated as he turned away and paced a few steps towards his throne. "Why have you done this?" he asked.
"I did so in Your Majesty's best interest. Your Divine Will is to unite the land, and to bring peace and order to the empire."
"And how can you be so certain that they will rebel and betray me?"
General Song bowed low and clasped his hands together in the Earth Kingdom fashion. "These men have become my subordinates, I will take full responsibility for their actions. As I am your obedient and humble servant."
Kuei stepped in front of General Song as though peering down from his nose. The good general kept his head down in deference to the Son of Heaven. "I have been betrayed once general, by one of my most trusted advisor. When I get my hands on him I will have him drawn and quartered. Too bad he was an orphan and a eunuch, otherwise I would have his whole family punished to the 3rd degree as well. You know what that means? His parents, his siblings, his children, nieces, and nephews, and his extended family would have all shared in his punishment. Imagine what I will do if one of my generals betrays me."
"My clan have always been ready to fight in defense of the Son of Heaven and His Dominion. And it is my dearest wish for His Majesty's Dynasty to live on, long after I am gone."
In the Fire Nation colony of Yu Dao, refugees fleeing from the war were flooding into the colonies. As the readers may recall, Shinichi and his family were evicted from their tenements in the coal mining town of Harima. After the events that transpired and the ongoing war with the Air Nomads, the Earth King Kuei decreed that all ethnic Air Nomads leave the country of Hakuma immediately. Shinichi and his family were given only 3 days to sell their property before they were forced to leave.
"Are we really safe here dear?" asked Shinichi's mother anxiously. "I don't know if I can trust the Fire Nation."
"Don't worry, we will be safe here," replied Shinichi's father Kenichi, who pulling a cart with his friend and former-foreman Oogi. "The Fire Nation are our friends now. We can stay with Uncle Kosai."
"Isn't Uncle Kosai a monk?" asked Shinichi.
"No just any monk, he is a member of the Council of 13. He is expecting us," his father replied cheerfully.
When they arrived Monk Kosai had indeed been expecting him, but what they found was shocking. Somehow they had imagined Kosai to be in pristine temple, instead they find the temple to be crowded with refugees in makeshift stalls. Temple monks and maidens, and local volunteers darting about as they tended the sick and injured. The doctors were overwhelmed and glanced at each of their patients. Those who were too far gone or had the least injuries were passed over, while those with the grievous of injuries and could be saved were promptly treated. Shinichi could not help but notice some of the refugees were missing limbs.
"Hello, do you know where Monk Kosai is?" asked Kenichi to a young maiden in priestly robes, whose shaven head was perspiring with sweat.
"He's in there, but I must ask that you wait," she said brusquely and continued her duties.
"Why, what for?" Kenichi followed after her.
"Here you go," said the young novice.
"I asked for bandages," said the recipient holding up bed sheets and light linen.
"Here I'll help you," the novice began tearing the sheets into strips to be used. "He is treating those who cannot be saved. Those who cannot be saved in body, are seeking salvation for their mortal souls," the maiden said softly without stopping her grim work.
Kenichi approached the main temple, but as he got to the double doors he heard the hushed voices reciting a buddhist chant.
"Even the gorgeous royal chariots wear out; and indeed this body too wears out. But the teaching of goodness does not age; and so Goodness makes that known to the good ones."
Realizing that this family visit was ill timed, Kenichi instead gathered his family together to pray and give thanks to the Heavens for their health and safe journey. He then quietly prayed for those less fortunate and for peace and harmony for all of mankind. For what can one man do in the face of such terrible misfortune? Except to pray and to work to improve their lives.
Meanwhile Aang, Sokka, and Katara are flying towards Yu Dao in order to find answers for Zuko's curious reversal.
Avatar Roku, I need your wisdom, thought Aang and the ethereal form of Avatar Roku appeared sitting before him.
"Yes Aang? How can I help?" replied Roku.
"I don't know where to begin," Aang said solemnly hanged his head. Roku sat placidly but said nothing waiting for the young Avatar to speak his mind. "I thought I brought peace to the world by defeating Ozai. But why is there still so much violence? Am I a bad Avatar?"
"No Aang. You have done your duty. Better than anyone could have hoped for. I am partly to blame for the state of the world, because of my indecisiveness."
Aang averted his eyes. "I should not have made that promise with Zuko. I mean, I didn't even kill Ozai, and he was evil all the way through! How am I supposed to kill my own Firebending teacher? My friend? What kind of person would I be?"
"Someone who keeps his promises. Zuko was in his clearest moment when he asked you for that promise. He knew what was at stake. All those lives that have been lost in the last hundred years...I could have saved them. I had lost so many chances. Sozin almost never had his guard up when he was with me."
"Wait, what are you saying? You regret not killing Sozin?"
"Yes."
"But he was your friend!"
"More than a friend. He was like a brother to me. But because of him, the world burned. When you are in a position of power, you must put the needs of the world above your own. Zuko, at one time at least, understood this."
Aang fell silent. "There is one other friend I want to talk about. It's about Mao, he was always going on about Kanto and the old empire. I think he may be helping Zuko."
Roku was silent for a moment but quickly became serious. "Then you must stop him and Zuko both, kill them if you must. Harmony can only be achieved by keeping the four elements separate. Their actions however benign in their eyes may bring about destruction and chaos."
"I will go to Yu Dao and find Zuko. Then we will sit down and talk. Maybe if I can talk some sense into him, Mao would be convinced to see things my way."
"Remember the wisdom I offered you, Aang - you must be decisive. A promise is a promise."
"We're friends. And friends talk."
When Aang, Katara, and Sokka arrived in Yu Dao they found large refugee camps outside the city walls. Nearby was a small encampment that belonged to Jet and his freedom fighters, he had been sent by Shingen to gather weapons and supplies from the Fire Nation colony, and then quickly return.
"Isn't that Smellerbee?" asked Katara.
"Yeah along with the freedom fighters. Wait, why are those Fire Nation soldiers giving them weapons?" asked Sokka.
Smellerbee turned and noticed Aang and his friends. "Look everyone, it's the Avatar!" She shouted energetically.
All heads within earshot turned to where she pointed. Surprised silence gave way to an onrush of humanity who clamored to be close to their Supreme Spiritual and Temporal Leader. They all shouted at once to be heard.
The crowd became a mob as Sokka had to grab his sister to safety. Jet pulled Smellerbee to him as large men knocked her down without stopping to get to Aang.
"Avatar! Avatar! Avatar!" The mob chanted as a pair of young men raised him on their shoulders as they paraded him to the city. There they were stopped by Fire Nation soldiers.
"Halt!" shouted the guard captain.
"Let us in!" someone shouted.
"You've kept us out here to starve!" another shouted.
"There is no more room in the city. And we are gathering food from the neighboring provinces. They will be here soon. Please be patient."
"The colonists eat sweet meats and are swimming in silver! Let's force our way in!" a young man with a sword at his waist shouted. Other young and angry men roared in agreement.
"This city is under the protection of the Fire Lord! No one is allowed into the city without his express permission, not even the Avatar!" shouted the guard captain as armed soldiers rushed to defend the gate from an increasing angry mob.
Aang used his Airbending to glide from the crowd and land noiselessly to his feet.
"Please, I'd like to talk to Fire Lord Zuko. That's all," he said calmly and with his hands together as though in prayer.
"Why are we talking?!" someone shouted and the mob roared with agreement.
"I'm warning you!" growled the guard captain willing balls of flames to spontaneously erupt in his hands.
"I don't want to fight!" said Aang.
One of the soldiers threw fire onto the ground causing the mob to scramble back. But the mob would not be intimidated as they started throwing, punching, and grabbing at the guards. It was at that moment that Aang took matters into his own hands, and attacked the guard captain with his Airbending sending him flying backwards into the air. The guard captain fell onto his backside and shouted. The Fire Nation soldiers then used their Firebending.
Katara wasted no time in defending her lover with her Waterbending to negate the Firebenders. "Stop attacking my boyfriend!" she shouted.
Her attacks hit home on a few of the soldiers, but one of the Fire Nation soldiers redirected the water back at her in a brilliant counterstroke. Katara was caught so completely off guard that the attack hit and made her fall down. Before Aang realized what had happened a wall of earth rose sealing the gateway into the city. Undeterred Aang crack open the improvised wall with ease and leapt headlong through it.
"Aang stop!" shouted Katara after him.
But he was met with a phalanx of soldiers all armed with elongated metal cylinders, encased with wooden stocks, and they were all pointed at him. Intuition immediately told him that these were new weapons from the Fire Nation and he was in grave danger.
"Hold your fire!" shouted Zuko from behind his phalanx.
Katara ran up to Aang and used her Waterbending once more, freezing the guns before they could be used. More of Zuko's soldiers readied themselves.
"Stop all of you," Zuko shouted in a commanding voice that made everyone freeze. "What do you two think you are doing? Why are you attacking my soldiers?"
Aang's blood boiled in an instant, his eyes and his arrow tattoos glowed ominously. "What are you talking about, your soldiers attacked first! I came here to talk to you, Zuko! As a friend! But you've changed! You've forgotten what we fought for! Maybe Avatar Roku is right. Maybe a promise is a promise."
Aang's anger got the better of him as power manifested around him. His temporal form exuded mythical power as the wind effortlessly bent to his will.
Katara ran to her lover, what soothing words she said to him could not be heard but it was enough as Aang the Avatar, eased out of his fury.
"I can't believe it. I might've done something terrible without even thinking it through. Zuko, I'm so-"
"Katara's right. We both need to calm down. And talk," said a recovered Zuko.
"Are you kidding me?! THAT'S WHAT I WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
From the shadows of a clock tower overlooking the whole spectacle, a pair of members of the former Dai Li watched as the trio dispersed the mob. The mob grumbled away with discontent as soon as it had started.
"That plan failed," said one.
"It did not. All we have to watch and wait as our fellow agents work their magic amongst the refugees. More importantly, we have confirmed that Yu Dao is helping the Takeda," coolly replied the other.
"You really think that this mob of malcontents can really overthrow Yu Dao?"
"General Fong does not expect them to. But I trust their fear and their hunger."
"Hunger makes men go mad," observed the first.
"Did you know that Yu Dao is the oldest of all the colonies?" asked Zuko as he led Katara and Aang through the city. "Many of the Fire Nation families here immigrated over a hundred years ago, when Yu Dao was just tiny village at the bottom of a valley." Zuko pointed towards the general direction of the docks. "And thanks to the sea, it is an international city. People from all over the world have come to live here, not just Fire Nation. But also Earth People, Water Tribe, and Air Nomad. Together they built all this. Yu Dao now makes the finest metalwork ever produced, using expertise from far and wide."
The trio watched as an earnest young apprentice stubbornly hammered steel into shape as his master looked on. An even younger apprentice was busily soaking rusting steel, into a bath of vinegar overnight, then to be scrubbed off with steel wool the next morning.
An old woman from a tea shop from across the street in Air Nomad clothes offered a tray of hot tea for the young Fire Lord.
"Blessings upon you Fire Lord, for keeping out the Earth Kingdom," said the old woman.
"Thank you," said Zuko who accepted it graciously, after drinking it he continued, "that's why this is one of the richest cities in the world."
"It doesn't seem like everyone share equally in that wealth," critiqued Katara as she and Aang observed the vagabonds on the streets, the shoeshine boy plying his trade with an aristocratic elderly man.
"It's not perfect, Katara, but all the city's people, including the Earth People are better off now than they were a hundred years ago."
"The history lesson is great and all, but none of it matters," Aang shook his head as dismissively. "By betraying the Harmony Restoration Movement, you're going to start another war."
"The world is already at war," replied Zuko without looking at Aang, instead he walked steadily forward as though in trance. "The Air Nomads are fighting against the Earth Kingdom as we speak. You've seen the refugees and the freedom fighters outside the city walls. They were all driven from their homes by the Earth Kingdom."
"They're probably criminals escaping justice. And the people fighting against the Earth Kingdom are nothing more than bandits."
"And the nobles who are leading their armies against the invaders?"
"They cannot accept that there is peace in the world. I am here to restore peace and balance to the world and defeat those who would destroy it."
Zuko stopped in his tracks and turned to face his friend. "Look, Aang. When I came here a week ago, I had planned to personally enforce the removal of Yu Dao from the Earth Kingdom. But then I met Morishita-san and his family. I met the people and learned of this great city. I saw what my people created here and what my forefathers tried to accomplish throughout the world. I saw the Harmony Restoration Movement would destroy and I changed my mind for the better. Ever since my coronation, I've had trouble finding peace. Now, I think I've finally figured out why. I had forgotten about my people.
"I know that you had defeated the Fire Nation, Aang, but my people still deserve respect!"
"I defeated the Fire Nation?! You mean we defeated the Fire Lord!" Aang said indignantly.
"I will not take from them a life they spent generations building! I won't let you do it!"
"Harmony requires four separate nations to balance each other! You can't have balance if one nation occupies another!" Aang said angrily without realizing that he had just contradicted himself. As the Air Nomads' Supreme Spiritual and Temporal Leader, he has allowed the Earth Kingdom to expand beyond their traditional borders to include the Air Nomad countries.
An awkward silence fell between the two friends who were once master and pupil once upon a time. Katara sensed that someone was watching them from behind and turned to see Mayor Morishita and his family gazing back at her with concern.
"Maybe Yu Dao can be an exception," she thought aloud.
"What?!" exclaimed Aang in disbelief.
"It's just a thought," replied Katara almost apologetically she is after all supportive of whatever Aang wanted to do.
But Zuko, the budding statesman as he is seized upon it, "Exceptions should be made for all of the remaining colonies. Most of them have been around for well over a century."
"You have got to be joking. That would make peace impossible."
"They're older than you Aang."
It was then that Katara interjected with a compromise to stop the feuding friends. "Regardless, the Earth Kingdom needs to be a part of whatever happens next. If Aang and I can arrange a meeting, will you be there, Zuko?"
"I'll be there," said Zuko distractedly.
Aang turned and walked away as though in a fury.
Aang and Katara returned to refugee camp to find Smellerbee alone. Jet and the rest of the freedom fighters have gone on ahead. Curious onlookers quickly surrounded the Avatar in search of answers to their predicament.
"So what happened?" asked Sokka.
"Katara and I are going to visit the Earth King to try to arrange a meeting between him and Zuko."
The reaction to this was mixed. Smellerbee's face was unreadable until she asked, "That's it?"
"Well, yes," Aang cocked his brow.
Smellerbee closed her eyes as though gathering her thoughts looking up she said, "The Earth Kingdom has waited for a hundred years to be rid of the Fire Nation. My parents' war became my own. Now I fight the Earth Kingdom. I hope you and the others can figure something out."
"You're fighting the Earth Kingdom, why?" asked a shocked Katara.
"Hajime's uncle, Lord Takeda Shingen was offered a chance to join the Earth Kingdom. He refused and the Earth Kingdom attacked. Hajime asked us to help his uncle to defend his country."
"Jet is a monster, you should've said no!"
Smellerbee inaudibly sighed and mounted her pygmy air bison. "He didn't have to ask."
"Wait!" said Aang. grabbing the reins to which Smellerbee tried to pull away.
"What for?" she hissed.
"Because I don't understand! Why are you fighting against the Earth Kingdom, you all fought against the Fire Nation, and now when peace is finally here you want to fight?! If you are an Air Nomad then you should know that this goes against everything that our people believe in!"
"AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE?! What do you know about the pain and humiliation that we suffered! You turned your back on us like a little coward! Yes I know of your infamous betrayal! You knew that the Fire Nation was going to attack and you left in the dead of night and ran away!"
Aang's face fell.
"Smellerbee-I mean Chigusa, you're being unfair. Aang knows that he made a great mistake and he is trying to correct it," defended Katara.
"If he really wants to correct his little mistake, then give me my family back!" Chigusa whipped her riding crop at Aang and flew away.