Batu tried again to cut the net entangling him, but the material is simply too strong. Whoever made these nets, he swore one day he would have his revenge. After repeated attempts, his arms began to grow sore, but the nets have grown more loose, and he can finally stretch his both hands freely.

"Batu!"

The boy raised his eyes and saw Satchiko rushing towards him. Seeing her safe brought him relief. If they are careful, they might all be able to get out of this in one piece.

"Is Mayumi back?" Asked Satchiko. Who is growing ever more concerned about the status of her sister.

"No, and neither is that Earth bending guy and that crazy water lady." Batu responded. "How did you escape the other two? You know, the red and yellow one."

"I only chi blocked them."

"What now?"

"It's complicated, I will get you out of this first and then we will talk more later."

Right before Satchiko was about to help Batu, the rustling of the nearby bushes caught their attention. Satchiko swiftly opened her two war fans and posed a defensive stance. She grows more anxious as she anticipated who is emerging.

It was only Mayumi.

"Sis! Are you ok!?" Satchiko asked with a worried expression. Mayumi's hair is once again embedded with leaves and sticks, Satchiko is also concerned about her sister's green kimono having a few tears. Luckily, there were no signs of blood or bruises, and the only damage is to her clothing.

"I am fine, but I think we need to leave immediately." Mayumi went on saying, seemingly not concerned with her own well-being at all. "While I managed to throw those two off their tracks, it wouldn't take long for them to figure it out and return here."

"The net is too strong," Satchiko said as she tried to pull it apart. "What should we do?"

The three went silent, as none of them have the solution. Mayumi wanted to prioritize the safety of Satchiko, but she knew they can't leave Batu here.

While he is entangled in the net, Batu wriggled himself to grab a horn nearby and wielded it proudly for the two Kyoshi warriors to see.

"Batu, what is that?" Satchiko asked curiously. Growing up in Kyoshi island, she has never seen such an item. The design was completely foreign to her, and she has no idea what is it for.

"It's a horn, it makes sounds when I blow it," Y-you never seen one before?"

The Kyoshi warrior shook her head.

"When I do, every warriors from my clan with come to our help!"

"But, it could also alert the bandits." Mayumi warned. "Can your allies get here before them?"

"But Mayumi, if we don't call for help, we might be captured by them anyway." Satchiko implored her sister. "I chi-blocked the other two, but the effects would wear off sooner or later."

"Right," Mayumi responded.

Batu, without considering their opinions, decided to take things in his own hands. He held the horn to his mouth and prepared to blow it out loud.

"Look out!" Mayumi yelled, Satchiko and Batu turned around to see a flying earth disc heading their way.

The two Kyoshi warriors easily dodged it. As for Batu, who is still trapped in a stationary position, only watched as his horn was thwacked from his hands.

A sudden rumbling of the ground is also felt, the Earth between them and the wilderness ascended. Thus cutting them off with the wilderness on one side. This leaves only the other side still open, as they are trapped due to the nearby lake and cliffs.

Two figures emerged from the remaining side. It was Shui and Tu.

"No where to run!" Shui chuckled deviously. She is clearly pleased at the sight of trapping the three.

She then proceeds to bend the nearby lake water and throw them towards Mayumi. The Kyoshi warrior did her best to avoid it, but the lack of space and less maneuverable ground made her vulnerable when facing the water.

"Mayumi!" Satchiko yelled as the elder sister was poured with water. Shui then immediately transformed the water on Mayumi into solid ice, trapping her in that location and immobilized her movement. Everything below Mayumi's neck is suspended in solid ice, only leaving her head to gasp for air.

"The horn! Grab it Satchiko and throw it to me!" Batu reminded her. Satchiko located the object on the ground and immediately run it, she then held it protectively.

"I got the older one. Tu, what are you waiting for? Trap them!" Shui asked her friend, wondering why he is standing idle.

"But Shui, my Earth bending is too dangerous and would harm them, Huo specifically requested not to use excessive force."

"Fine, I will do it myself!" Shui responded much to her dismay. Her attention soon refocused on Satchiko who is now holding a weird object.

"Quick chuck it over!" Batu said.

Instead of listening to his advice, Satchiko blew the horn herself in hopes she can call in reinforcements. To her great surprise, the horn made absolutely no noise.

A huge body of water was splashed onto her, and the horn was knocked from her hands. This time it landed near Batu, but it was still not close enough for him to reach it. With all this strength, he slowly crawled towards it.

Shui threw another body of water at Satchiko, this time knocking her on the ground. Despite water being a very harmless substance by itself, constantly pummeled by it is very painful when one experience it for the first time. The Kyoshi warrior couldn't get up, as each time she feels the sharp pain of being whipped.

"Stop! What are you doing!" Mayumi yelled indignantly. Seeing her sister constantly being attacked by water agonizes her. Her hands are already immobilized by ice, which renders her projectiles weapons entirely useless.

"This, is for my friends!" Shui responded in a wicked manner. Clearly she wanted Mayumi to go through the same inner pain when close ones are being attacked. "I think you would love to see the face of your cute little sister buried in scars!"

"Please no! It was only a lie stop!" Mayumi responded in disbelief. As a non-bender, she is extremely powerless in this situation. Her body is stuck in ice, and couldn't do anything. She watched on as Shui repeatedly used water to create scratches on Satchiko. The armor and clothing is starting to deteriorate as Shui's water bending creates sharp enough edges to penetrate them. Satchiko only braced herself by covering her face with her arms. This all happened while Shui enjoyed taking vengeance on the young girl, and Mayumi's excruciating face only adds to her enjoyment. No matter how the older sister struggled, the ice is too hard to break. Since Kyoshi warriors were never that proficient in using brute force, her training makes her futile in breaking out of this ice.

"Shui! This is going to far!" Tu said besides her. Even he felt a bit uncomfortable watching this entire awful scene. "Huo would not approve of this! We only needed them as hostages!"

"Don't be so simple minded Tu, have you forgotten who we are?" Shui temporarily stopped her assault on Satchiko and lectured her friend. "These makeup wearing losers are responsible for the deaths of many of my friends. Are you very going to let them go unscathed? At least toy with them a little and show them who is truly in charge of the Earth Kingdom."

"You mean the warlords?" Tu responded with confusion.

"It wasn't a question!" Shui said with an exhausted tone. "And no, the people who are truly in charged of the Earth Kingdom is us!" Her voice is now a bit more passionate, as if she is explaining some proud history to a class of students. "The Earth Kingdom is now weak, it is divided and fractured. While the warlords fought each other for control and power, they will have less time to worry about us! When the bandits pillage these villages and cities, those incompetent governors of every Earth states only poured more money into their own livelihoods. Can't you see? When the Earth Kingdom is filled with these people in charge, we are the ones truly in power!"

"Except there is Ba Sing Se," Tu's words shattered Shui's wild imaginations. While it did irritated her for Tu to bring it up, she can't argue with him on that topic. For the entirety of the Earth Kingdom's existence, Ba Sing Se has always served as the seat of power of the entire nation's ruler. Whoever controls Ba Sing Se controls the Earth Kingdom. Even if they cannot enforce control over the entire continent, controlling the capital means more legitimacy in this world. A person can claim they are the leader of the Earth Kingdom all they want, but if they don't control Ba Sing Se, a title is as worthless as the sands of the Si WONG deserts. This is what annoys Shui a lot, as devoted as she is to their master's cause, their notorious group seems to have very little influence in Ba Sing Se. The sturdy walls have a history of deterring invaders, and only few have ever managed to bring it down.

"Well, when we get our hands on those oils, our chances of conquering Ba Sing Se will increase tremendously!" Shui said to Tu, whose face is rather perplexed. Shui doesn't appear worried that she might be leaking details of their master's plans. Making the same mistakes twice, Tu felt it would be better if he just remain silent and hope no one else have listened to her words.

A loud booming sound was heard.

The two of them instantly turned around to face Satchiko. She was still on the ground and injured from Shui's attacks. She was barely moving, as her body only trembled when she tries to stand up. The loud sound did not came from her, instead it was from Batu. The little boy blew the horn with every fiber of his body, creating a continuing ear drumming sound. They all covered their ears as the vibration made their eardrums uncomfortable, except for Mayumi, who does not have the luxury of using her hands.

"Tu! Do something!" Shui yelled loudly to her friend besides her. She wasn't sure if her voice was transmitted clearly, but she hope this noise can stop at once.

When Tu didn't react, Shui took her hands off her ears, she pummeled Batu with a quick stream of water. Her strike directly hit Batu's face, causing his nose to bleed instantly. The horn, after being knocked away twice, is finally broken.

"Batu!" Satchiko said with a weakened voice. Her body is too weak to support herself,

"That boy in fur clothes should know what happens when he obstructs us!" Shui said with a raging tone. "He needs a lesson too! For laughing at the deaths of my people!"

"Shui! Leave him out of this!" Tu pleaded.

Tu's words fall on deaf ears, Shui used the lake's water to prepare another strike reserved for Batu.

The young boy in fur wiped the blood off his nose, and placed his two hands together to mimic a strange hand signal. His hands constantly moved in circles, as if he is trying to create a sphere out of thin air.

"Take this kid!" Shui yelled. A ferocious stream of water poured towards Batu, with the intention of harming him greatly.

It was neutralized.

Shui's face became bewildered, a ball of air was shot from Batu's hands. It successfully nullified Shui's initial attack. The impact felt by Batu are only water droplets, rendered harmless to his unarmored body.

"An Airbender?" Tu said besides Shui. He too was also surprised by this. He did not expect an child to have such ability. Airbenders in the Earth Kingdom is rather rare, as the majority of them are relocated to the Air temples to become full fledged Air nomads. The only person he have personally known to have not taken that path was Feng, who have been in the life of banditry starting the same age as they are.

The two Kyoshi warriors were speechless, there was nothing more to add. Batu's sudden demonstration of Air bending melted their expectations towards this normal looking boy. They never even considered the possibility of something so unprecedented.

Unfortunately, Batu could not keep the air going strong enough, for Shui's next move did managed land its mark. Batu was knocked unconscious, and body became defenseless in the face of Shui. Seeing this, Satchiko moved her already weakened body so that it would shield Batu from further attacks.

Knowing this is a good opportunity, Shui concentrated more water from the lake and smashed it into Satchiko's body.

Being smashed by it caused Satchiko to fall flat forward. Her body is now severely critical as Shui then proceeded to step her foot on one of Satchiko's hands.

"Ah!" Satchiko cried in agony. She felt her hand are stiffened, all its fiber produced pain.

"Get your foot off her!" Mayumi demanded helplessly.

"You people just don't know when to give up!" Shui's voice was both exhausted and sternly. She very wanted to enact full revenge, but she is still bind to the mission of capturing them both alive. They are right here, but the only thing Shui can do is step on Satchiko's foot even harder. While the hand is protected by a glove worn by all Kyoshi warriors, there is no doubt that is still painful for the rookie Kyoshi warrior.

"I have invested too much into this one mission when I should be bring more ignorant people to our cause!" Shui said. "Bring me the rope Tu!"

Hearing her vile voice, Tu did not wish to provoke her further. He believed Shui's patience is at a breaking point, and it would be better to get this whole thing over sooner.

As he turned around reach for the rope, he realized the rope is not on him. It must have fallen somewhere around here due to the previous fight. He looked around and spotted it just ten meters away, but it is lying dangerously close to that nearby cliff. Tu decided to slowly walk towards the rope, as he wanted to be cautious when he retrieves it.

"What makes you think you are on the right side here?" Satchiko asked Shui, she was barely speaking. Her voice clearly shows that she is in pain. "Those pirates were attacking our homes, do you very expect us to just stand there and let them burn our houses down?"

"I am not answering a question from a clueless girl like you, our master have grand plans for this world, and I intend to enforce it even we have to kill people." Shui responded annoyingly. For her, it's like dealing with an insect that refuses to die."You should considering yourself lucky, and be grateful that you might be alive to see our master's greatness when he rules all of the Earth Kingdom. When that time comes everyone will benefit from it! You will also understand that it was wrong to stand against us in the beginning."

"For someone who endorses bandits and pirates attacking people's home, your master sure is lowly." Satchiko muttered, she made sure that Shui can hear her compliant very clearly. "The only people who will submit to your master are weird people like you!"

Unable to bear this insult, Shui slowly solidified some water on her hands into ice. Sharp claws formed on the tip of her nails, and Satchiko swallowed her saliva as Shui sharpened her newly created weapon.

"I take it back, I think it would be if you won't see that future at all!" Shui exclaimed with fury. She forcefully stabbed downwards at Satchiko, and seems to have forgotten that her boss needed to capture them alive.

Mayumi held her breathe, and quickly closed and averted her eyes. She doesn't want to witness any of this. A great sense of shame is on the Kyoshi warrior as she has failed to protect her younger sister.

Thrust*

The anticipated sound of the stab was eventually heard, but Mayumi still have her eyes closed. Even when closed, tears still flow freely from within.

It's all over at this point. What kind of older sibling would allow the younger one to die first? How could she face her parents, knowing their second daughter died due to her own foolish decisions. If Mayumi have never suggested that they take the dangerous path, this might not have ever happened. The four of them would still be together under one roof.

"Shui!" Tu yelled across the field. "We are under att-" He stopped mid sentence. Hearing to these words, Mayumi sensed something is happening. She forced herself to open her eyes to examine what is going on.

Mayumi thought she would be seeing Satchiko bleeding from the wound inflicted by Shui, but the blood are thankfully not her sister's.

A lone arrow was stuck inside Shui's right shoulder, the girl doesn't make a sound as she pulled the arrow straight out. She looked behind and towards the direction of where the arrow flew from.

Standing near the wilderness, was a stern looking man wearing fur clothing similar to Batu. Underneath all those fur, he is wearing scale and lamellar armor. In his hand is the composite bow that was used to shoot that arrow. A saber is also strapped to his side.

"Just how many how you do I need to kill!?" Shui said bitterly, while also being more frustrated. She very wanted this all to be over, but her problems just pile up. The presence another meddler is another obstacle she mush overcome. Tu rushed to her sides, preparing to defend or counter attack if necessary.

This newcomer must have been alerted by the horn blown by Batu, Mayumi felt a huge burden was removed off her. Her sister is saved by this stranger and might even be rescued.

The archer drew another arrow from his quiver. Instead of shooting right away, he aimed at Shui and Tu in a threatening manner.

"Scram, leave this place at once!" The man in armor demanded in a confrontation tone.

"Hold on, we are only here to capture the two Kyoshi warriors over there, we have no intention of harming that little boy!" Tu appeased the man quickly, believing that as long as they leave Batu along, this man might not initiate conflict with them. To him, it's better to avoid dragging more people into this mess, and then bring Mayumi and Satchiko back to complete the mission. "We will be on our way, and those two will come with us. We didn't hurt that boy in anyway, I swear with my life!" The last part was obviously not true, as Shui clearly attacked Batu and knocked him unconscious.

The man spat towards Tu. "You think I'm blind? We saw everything from up there!" The warrior ranted. Knowing someone have lied to you is a great offese. "And for the record, I am taking those two in white makeup as well! Either you both leave, or die by my blade!" We

"Ha! An old man like you think you can take on us! If you saw what we did to that brat than you should know what I can do to you!" Shui mocked the middle aged man, she even showed off her sharp ice claws made earlier.

Although the man is older than them, and possibly more experienced, everyone knew he must be a non-bender given his weapon of choice. A bending soldier would rarely rely on weapons to bend the elements. Usually it would be more convenient for a bender to not carry anything at all.

"I am only in my late thirties!" The man responded angrily. "Now, I am not going to repeat this again, leave or be vanquished! This is you final chance, I suggest you choose wisely!"

Shui is dissatisfied that this warrior does not appear fearful for his life. She watched as his body didn't even flinched to the prospect of fighting her and Tu.

Before Tu can do or say anything to negotiate with the older man, Shui spoke her own mind. Which would proved to be fatal to them.

"Choose? The only thing I have to choose is stab my claws into you instead of this girl lying on the ground!" Shui said with a laugh, still unconvinced that this man can pose any real threat. Satchiko listened to the conversation, as she no longer has the energy to lift her head. "The odds are stacked against you old man!"

"I don't think so," He said calmly. "I wouldn't reveal myself to you if I haven't come prepared. Since you are speaking to me with such manner, I suppose you have chosen death?"

Satchiko watched as both parties go back and forth. Looking at the grown warrior with bow, she felt a sense of ease. This journey have just begun, and yet they have already fallen into such predicament.

"No no no!" Tu immediately said. "She didn't mean any of that! My friend is not in the right state of mind now!" Tu's head begin to sweat even more.

"Nonsense! Tu, he is only one weak man! We can kill him, and then bring those two baggage back to master." Shui's use of 'baggage' clearly disregards the dignity of Mayumi and Satchiko. Even the archer can definitely notice the ego of Shui. "If this man thinks he himself can defeat us, I would like to see him try!"

"I never said I was alone," The archer said. This confirmed Tu's greatest fear, there are now definitely more people, concealed until they strike.

"Oh?" Shui responded with curiosity. "You and what army?" She said with a challenging tone.

"Shh! You shouldn't have said that!" Tu shushed Shui with a hushing voice. That one line has been spoken many times before and by many people. Usually things don't end too well.

At the same time, Tu quickly bend the Earth underneath them, creating a small wall that would block the arrow shot by that warrior.

"Well why did you raised an entire wall to block one arrow?" Shui asked, she is confused, since Tu was able to simply use his disc to block it.

The wall fall backwards towards the duo, they both backed away as it landed on the ground. Shui's eyes widened as the side of the wall shot by the warrior have more than one arrows. She counted them, there are five of them. There must be four more enemy.

"Attack!" The man yelled, he took out a signal horn and blew it, before unsheathing his saber and charged towards Tu and Shui. Simultaneously, four more brutes emerged from the thick vegetation behind him. With swords and spear as well as their bows strapped on their backs.

As this is happening, Mayumi tries to comphrend this scene, she has never known any of them before. The clothing of these people reflects none of the existing cultures in the Earth Kingdom. The Earth Kingdom is a vast and diverse place, with different people and cultures all living on this land. Through the books in Hakaru's study, she have a basic understanding of the outside world. While the books are very outdated, it does provide valuable insight of the many cultures of the four nations. What bothers her the most is that these warriors fits none of the cultures from the books. The closest thing she can link these people with are the Zhang tribe, who also have brown clothing on them. It's possible that the Zhang tribe must have advanced themselves to develop better armor and weapons.

For now, Mayumi can only pray that, these strangers can defeat Tu and Shui.

Author's notes:

-Composite bows are very useful when fighting on horsebacks.

-The Zhang tribe, are a group of people that have appeared in one episode of ATLA. They settled in Ba Sing Se.