Chapter 37:
The railway cart moved over it's bridge and railways through the city. Many people stared shocked as the Earth King stood in the middle of a cart with his guards on either side of him. Katara, Toph and Sokka were sitting in the seats to the side of him.
"So, this is what a train is like? I didn't realise it would be this… public." he muttered
"So you've never been outside the upper ring before?" Katara asked astonished
"I've never been outside of the palace." he admitted smiling. He looked out the window and pointed as the siblings shared a look. "Now that's the way to travel." Aang and Freya were sitting on Appa's head as the bison flew along side the train cart. "So, may I ask where we're going?" he wondered
"Underneath Lake Laogai, Your Kingliness. To the Dai Li's secret headquarters. You're about to see where all the brainwashing and conspiring took place." Sokka explained as he turned to look out the window.
A train ride later and they were at Lake Laogai. Toph took her stance and the path rose from the ground. Only now however it wasn't a path but merely rocks that rocked uncertainly.
"It's gone!" Toph admitted
"Of course it is, Long Feng wants us to be wrong." Freya said thinking. Sokka raised his hands to his face in dismay.
"Oh, don't tell me…" he slumped and then stood up again with his thumbs up. "That's ok, still got my positive attitude."
"The Dai Li must have known we were coming and destroyed the evidence." Katara said
"Hmm. That seems awfully convenient." the King frowned
"Hey, if anything, this proves the conspiracy exists even more." Sokka said.
"No we really need some proof, something proper." Freya said thinking.
"Long Feng was right, this was a waste of time. If you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the palace." the King decided and he turned to leave with his guards.
"Wait! The drill!" Freya suddenly spoke up and Katara looked inspired.
"The wall! They'll never be able to cover that up in time!" Katara believed
"Oh yeah." Aang vaulted himself upwards and landed in front of the departing king. "If you come with us to the outer wall, we can prove to you that the secret war is real!"
"No Earth King has ever been to the outer wall." the King said annoyed
"All the more reason to be the first!" Freya thought
"I don't have anymore time for this nonsense." the King brushed Aang aside before Sokka rushed up.
"If you come with us, this time you can ride on Appa." he offered grinning. The King stopped as Appa growled before he smirked ever so slightly.
"Ahhhh!" The King sat on the Bison's back crying out as he gripped to the bison's fur with Toph beside him, Katara, Sokka and his guards behind him as Freya and Aang sat at the front.
"First time flying?" the earth bender asked
"Its both thrilling and terrifying." The King admitted breathlessly
"Yeah, I hate it too." Toph confessed
"I have to be honest with you. Part of me really hopes that what you are telling me about this war… isn't true." he admitted
"Me too." Freya sighed "People's lives have been seriously uprooted by it." she frowned and Aang nodded
"I wish it wasn't."
They flew over the country and towards the wall which quickly rose into sight before they flew straight over it.
"It's still there!" Aang cheered as he pointed. The drill was still against the wall only now it had had a wall built around it to block it off. The sludge was still all around the machine which now looked tiny from up in the air.
"What is that?" The King questioned in astonishment
"It's a drill. A giant drill made by the Fire Nation, to break through your walls." Sokka explained
"We stopped it several weeks ago when we first entered your city." Freya admitted and the King looked shocked at the idea that the five were telling him the truth.
Appa landed on the wall and they all dismounted and stared over the wall at the drill which was still stuck into the wall below them as the Earth Kingdom had been trying to dismantle the machine.
"I can't believe I never knew." the King sighed as he looked disappointed in himself.
Moving earth sounded and they all turned to see Long Feng and two Dai Li agents rising out of the floor.
"I can explain this, Your Majesty." Long Feng moved towards the King "This is nothing more than... a construction project."
"Really? Then perhaps you can explain why there's a Fire Nation insignia on your construction project." Katara gestured to the drill.
"Or why it's outside the city where it can be stolen and tampered with." Freya added as the King rose an eyebrow in question.
"Well, it's imported of course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery." Long Feng smiled weakly as everyone stared at him. "Surely you don't believe these children, instead of your most loyal attendant?!" The King looked from Long Feng to the children who looked at him waiting, they'd done what they could to convince him and now it was his choice to make the decision.
Long Feng looked at the kids and their bison as well before turning back to the King.
"Dai Li, arrest Long Feng. I want him to stand trial for crimes against the Earth Kingdom." the King ordered and Long Feng looked alarmed. The five looked surprised as they turned from the King to Long Feng. The two Dai Li agents shared a glance below their hats. Freya's eyes narrowed as she noticed their hesitation before both clamped metal cuffs on the man's wrists and pulled him back towards them by chains that were attached.
"You can't arrest me. You all need me more than you know!" he shouted outraged as he was dragged away.
"Looks like Long Feng is "long gone"!" Sokka shouted mockingly before he started laughing. "Ha…Oh, yeah, I've been waitin' to use that one." he said as he wiped his eye. The King looked at him uncertain as Aang and Katara shared a look and Freya rolled her eyes.
The group, the King and his guards all returned to the palace and then to the throne room. The place was being put back together by earth benders from the groups rampage into the building and the King sat back at his throne looking disbelieving and almost tired.
"I want to thank you, young heroes, for opening my eyes. All this time, what I thought was a great metropolis, was merely a city of fools, and that makes me the king fool." The King buried his head into his hands. "We're at war, with the Fire Nation."
"That's why we came to Ba Sing Se, Your Highness." Sokka began "Because we think you can help us end the war." Momo landed on the man's shoulder from where he'd been sitting on the bear at the King's feet.
"We don't have much time. There's a comet coming this summer. Its energy will give the fire benders unbelievable strength. They'll be unstoppable." Aang explained
"But there is hope. Before the comet comes, we have a window of opportunity. A solar eclipse is coming. The sun will be entirely blocked out by the moon, and the fire benders will be helpless." Sokka explained
"The Fire benders will completely loose their bending on that day. They will have a hard time stopping an invasion." Freya nodded
"An invasion?" the King asked and the five nodded. "What are you suggesting?"
"That's the day we need to invade the Fire Nation. The Day of Black Sun." Sokka said seriously
"I don't know. That would require moving troops out of Ba Sing Se. We'd be completely vulnerable." he thought worried
"Your soldiers couldn't stop the drill from breaking through the wall, if the Fire Nation came with another tactic like that, I'm afraid there might not be anything your soldiers could do in such an instance." Freya admitted and Sokka nodded
"You're already vulnerable. The Fire Nation won't stop until Ba Sing Se falls. You can either sit back and wait for that to happen, or take the offensive, and give yourself a fighting chance." Everyone waited for the King's response.
"Very well. You have my support." the King agreed and the five cheered.
"Woo! Alright! Good work team!" Aang rounded everyone on his air scooter and the other four hugged.
A man, dressed highly decorated and was clearly a general, walked into the room and kneeled before the King.
"Your Majesty. I apologise for the interruption."
"This is General How, he's the leader of The Council of Five. My highest-ranking generals." the King introduced
"We searched Long Feng's office. I think we found something that will interest everybody." the five shared a look before they moved off and followed the man through the palace.
The group moved to an office and the King sat down at the table as the five and General How stood beside it. A soldier walked forwards with a chest in his hands which he placed on the table.
"There are secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se. Including you kids." The General explained as the soldier walked away. The King opened the chest as Aang looked at the general surprised.
"Secret files?" he asked
"Toph Bei Fong." the King handed a scroll to Toph who handed it to Katara, the girl unrolling it.
"It's a letter from your mom. You mom's here in the city, and she wants to see you." Toph's expression was surprised and then annoyed.
"Long Feng intercepted our letters from home? That's just sad." she said shaking her head.
"Aang." Another scroll was headed to the boy by the King.
"This scroll was attached to the horn of your bison when the Dai Li captured it." General How explained as Aang opened and read it.
"It's from the Eastern Air Temple." he explained as Momo licked his head.
"Is there a letter for me and Sokka by any chance?" Katara wondered and Aang and Sokka smiled at the King who looked through the chest before lacing his fingers together.
"I'm afraid not." the King answered and both shared a frown
"Oh." Sokka sighed
"But there is an intelligence report that might interest you." General How admitted as he picked up a scroll from elsewhere and handed it to Katara.
"A small fleet of water tribe ships…" she read
"What? That could be Dad." Sokka thought excited as he read over his sister's shoulder
"Protecting the mouth of Chameleon Bay, led by Hakoda. It is Dad!" the girl got more and more excited as she read.
Freya smiled at them all as she chuckled slightly at the siblings.
"And this one's for you, Freya." the girl looked shocked as she stared at the King who held a scroll. Everyone looked from the scroll to the girl surprised as well.
"Me?" she asked unsure and the King nodded.
Freya reached and took the scroll before she unravelled it.
It was just like Katara's water bending scroll, only this one was for firebending. Freya looked at it confused and then shock filled her face. The others watched her as she looked over the techniques and smiled slightly.
Iroh… she believed with a nod.
The girl suddenly stopped and looked up over the scroll, everyone raising an eyebrow at her change in demeanour as she suddenly remembered something.
"Shit!" she suddenly shouted and everyone watched with surprise and confusion as she turned and suddenly sprinted from the room.
"Where you going!?" Sokka shouted after her but no response came.
Freya left the castle and was on a train to the lower ring were she sprinted through the streets and then to an apartment block were she ran up to the second level and knocked on a door as she breathed hard. It opened and Iroh stood before her as she panted.
"How's… Zuko…?" she asked as she tried to regain her breath. Iroh smiled at her and stepped aside for her to enter.
"I got your… scroll." she said holding up the now rolled scroll. "I was… rather occupied today… or I'd have been here… earlier." Iroh gave her a cup of water and she gulped it down.
"You came from a far way didn't you."
"Just the Palace." she nodded before taking a deep breath and calming her heart rate and standing up straight. "Is Zuko okay?" she wondered
"He has an incredible fever." Iroh admitted
"A fever? But how?" she wondered. Iroh motioned to her and he picked up a tray with three cups, of which one he'd just added, and a teapot. Freya followed him into the other room were Zuko was lying on the bed and covered in a blanket.
Freya sat down beside him and Zuko blinked weakly before looking at her.
"Freya?"
"Hey." she smiled
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm checking in on you. Good thing too it seems, you look awful." she smiled slightly.
"Thanks." Zuko coughed as Iroh began to pour out the tea.
"Any reason you've got such a cold?" Freya wondered
"No." the boy answered. Iroh handed Freya a cup and she took it before Iroh turned to his nephew.
"Unfortunately, this is not a natural sickness. But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea." Iroh lifted Zuko's head and tipped the cup slightly to help him drink it. The blanket slipped away to reveal the boys bare chest, seeming less worked than Freya remembered it.
"No ordinary sickness?" Freya asked frowning.
"What? What's happening?" Zuko asked disoriented
"You're critical decision, what you did beneath that lake… it was in such conflict with your image of yourself, that you are now at war within your own mind and body." Iroh explained and Zuko took a another sip of tea.
"What's that mean?" Zuko asked before he laid back down with a coughing fit. Freya placed a hand on his arm and rubbed it as she frowned and looked at Iroh questionably.
"You're going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it, you will be the beautiful Prince you were always meant to be." Iroh believed as he wiped Zuko's face.
"So, he'll be alright?" Freya asked and Iroh nodded. The girl nodded back before she looked at Zuko who glanced up at her. Iroh collected the tea cups and pot and left the room. Freya took the cloth and dabbed the boy's forehead as she watched him.
"Freya?" Zuko began weakly
"Yes?"
"Will you stay?" he asked. Freya looked slightly surprised as watched him, the prince coughing again.
Everyone had just received news, Sokka and Katara knew where their families were, Toph's mother was nearby, Aang had a message from the Eastern Air temple… Each of these things were different. The Eastern air temple wasn't far with Appa back and Chameleon Bay was outside Ba Sing Se as well. Toph had to venture into the city for her mother and plans needed to be made with the Earth King for the invasion.
Freya wasn't sure how everything was going to get done in time, the only option would be for everyone to split up for a bit.
Regardless of that, I wont be going anywhere. She believed. If I did it'd be with Aang, she looked down at Zuko before she smiled.
"Alright." she agreed. She shuffled slightly closer to the boy and he lifted himself ever so slightly to rest his head in her lap. The girl began to hum as she stroked his hair and he relaxed at her touch.
"Thank you Freya." he whispered
"You're welcome, Zuko." Freya whispered.
Freya fell asleep after Iroh had brought her a drink and Zuko held onto her, his arm around her waist and head on her chest, her arm around his neck. Iroh fell asleep sitting and watching the boy as well and all slept long after the sun had risen.
Zuko jumped awake first with a start after a dream and he breathed heavily as he realised where he was before reaching up to touch his scar.
The boy sighed and laid back down, taking a breath before he felt a tickle of air at his neck. He turned and saw Freya fast asleep beside him. The boy looked surprised for a minute before he remembered why she was there.
Freya felt the hot fingers trail over her temple, cheek and down her neck before her eyes opened. Zuko was watching her and his arm fell as she looked at him.
"Morning." she whispered before she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"You stayed?" he said and she looked at him.
"You asked me to." she reminded him obviously. He smiled at her slightly. "How do you feel?" she wondered
"Sore." he mumbled and Freya nodded.
"No surprise." Freya watched him as he closed his eyes and sighed. "I feel a bit guilty for this Zuko, I'm sorry."
"Why?" he asked her
"Because I had a hand in the decision you made to free Appa, which lead to this. I'm not sorry you did the right thing but," she frowned and Zuko looked at her.
"Don't apologise." he replied "You heard Uncle, I'll be fine." Freya nodded to him but said nothing as she looked at the window.
"You have to go." Zuko thought as he looked at her
"'Have' may be a strong word. A lot's happened since I last saw you that's all." she admitted
"I don't want to be keeping you from anything." he said and Freya was slightly surprised by his thoughtfulness.
Maybe it's the fever. she wondered "I can come back?" she offered and Zuko nodded as he placed a hand on her cheek and caressed it.
"Please do. We might have Uncle's new tea shop by the end of the day." Freya smiled and nodded
"I'd love to see it." she whispered
"It's a date then." Freya looked very surprised and he smiled at her as she watched him.
"I guess it is." she replied before smiling at him. Freya sat herself up and Zuko went to do the same but Freya pushed him back down. He looked at her and she smiled before brushing some of his hair from his scarred eye.
"You need rest." she reminded him. Zuko watched as she leaned down and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later. Listen to your uncle, he probably knows what's best in helping you." she smiled and he nodded.
"I'll see you later." she nodded as she got to her feet and he watched as she moved to the door, waved and vanished out of it.