The War for Independence Pt. 2
Central Yu Dao
Western Earth Kingdom
1946 AD / 104 AG
Azula's cup of tea was getting cold. The tea ceremony had been long over, days over in fact. The former fire colony of Yu Dao had become even further packed with military men. This was just…more tea, and more time with Iroh. At Least they were out of that horridly cramped tea room, and were now in the open air. Not that the open air was any better, the smell of smoke and sulfur wafted through the air wherever you went in this industrial city. It was the smell of steel smelting, diesel and aviation fuel refining, gunpowder handling, and the production of shells, bullets, and rifles that Yu Dao was now so heavily involved with. And production jumped through the roof once the oil in the Southern Water Tribe was discovered, drilled, and shipped by the hundreds of tons to Yu Dao by ocean going tankers, converted from surplus Fire Navy warships.
Atleast Akiko seemed, for some reason, intrigued by what this lazy and miserable old man had to say. She had to have been, Azula thought. Not only did they seem to drone on and on about a never ending amount of topics from fire bending to tea and Japan, but she was also fully committed to this game of Pai Sho. The prodigy of fire bending had been watching them, for the past few hours now, as her friend and her uncle continually placed pieces of this old gas bag's game. Azula had a general understanding of how the game worked. It was a strategy game, and it was similar to war in a sense. In her circle, she was actually decent at it. It was just..boring.
While sitting in silence, feeling neglected by her company, who mind you, was supposed to be tending to her, supposedly, Azula took in the surroundings of the city streets. There were a mix of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom nationals everywhere. Married couples with children even, something unheard of in the homeland. Unheard of when she was in Ba Sing Se during the war too. How they, two different nations, at war with each other when they got married and had children, managed to get along with each other well enough to start a family were beyond what she could fathom. Azula also noted the greater number of soldiers. Yu Dao's fire and earth bending militia, and an even greater presence of US and Japanese service members that seemed to fill the cafes, bars, and restaurants. Along with the heat of the nearby factories, the unignorable military presence made this city seem like a ticking time bomb. And war was coming, Azula was sure of it.
"So," Iroh began, his eyes not once leaving the board, "how is your fire bending training coming along, Akiko-san?" A click was heard as he placed a tile on a cross point on the board.
Azula's eyes darted over to Akiko. Her friend…and, in a way, her officially designated handler, was equally immersed. Both her hands were tightly clasped together before her mouth. Her elbows threatened to topple the table, as they also supported her head which leaned on her hands. It was as if she was analyzing all her options all at once. Akiko's eye brows furrowed, looking for the next best move. Azula wanted to let out a frustrated and loud sigh. The play they were both doing was very strange to her though. There were moves that her uncle and her friend made that at times seemed needlessly risky, easily could cost them the game, and at other times seemed completely pointless.
"It's been going well," Akiko replied, finally placing a tile on the far opposite corner of the board. Why would she place it so far out there, Azula questioned.
"She disappears outside of Yu Dao every now and then," Azula reported quietly, "Akiko will spend time beyond Yu Dao's boundaries to practice her fire bending. I'd agree she could benefit from the extra work."
"You have yourself a..great teacher," Iroh remarked. Another piece.
What was that hesitation, uncle? Do you doubt my capabilities as a fire bending instructor?
"A lion turtle! I couldn't believe it when you told me. They have been thought to have been extinct for a very very verrryyyy long time," Iroh added, recalling Akiko's story of how she happened to be gifted the power of fire, "Even I have never heard of anyone seeing one! Except in art and sculpture. There really isn't much written about them either. Frankly, I'd started to believe they were a myth!"
"Indeed," Akiko said, placing a white lotus tile at the center of the board, "It was an…other-worldly experience. I thought I was going to die there."
Azula huffed and blew at her bangs. "Uncle, there are many animals thought to be extinct! The world thought sky bison were extinct for over a hundred years! The only thing so far confirmed to be extinct, by your own hand, are dragons!"
"Yes," Iroh said, sharply pausing and stroking his beard, "Dragons are extinct." He didn't know if and when Zuko was going to tell anybody else about Ran and Shaw. "Still, seeing a Lion Turtle is no mere mundane meeting. They are wise. Some would even call them…spiritual. It's a once-in-a-thousand-lifetimes event. And obviously, in more ways than simply seeing one with your own eyes, it was! Akiko, a medic stowaway and sailor from a far off world, and a far off country, from a far off time where there is no such thing as bending, was turned into a fire bender!"
Azula's lips twitched, she inhaled sharply through her teeth. She was intrigued at the idea. But she wasn't too fond of the idea that theoretically, anybody, any ordinary non-bender, could be turned into a fire bender. "She's still got a long way to go," Azula, Akiko's 'instructor' of fire bending, reported. "She needs to channel and project more power. More force. It's not powerful enough."
Iroh placed another tile. "Power in fire bending comes from the breath. Its fundamentals have been altered and twisted for a while now that it comes from power or strength. It isn't just destruction. Fire is warmth and life. It can be, and is, beautiful."
"Thank you for your kind words of reassurance," Akiko said, glancing at and staring momentarily, judgmentally, at Azula as she bowed to Iroh, "Until now, I was starting to believe I was failing."
Azula rolled her eyes. "I didn't say failing," she corrected, "I just said 'lacking.'"
Another tile by Akiko.
"So," Iroh changed the topic, "Have you fired any lightning?" The click of another tile. The question was not directed at Akiko, in reality.
"Not yet," Akiko replied, countering Iroh's move. "In fact, I haven't really been introduced to that concept at all. I don't think I am ready."
"I am certain," Iroh countered, "you are ready."
Azula's eyes slid over to Iroh, who was still concentrating on the board.
"Lightning is one of the most advanced fire bending techniques in existence. It is thought that only members of the royal family are capable of generating lightning. Has been, for a long time. And, pretty much all the benders of the Fire Nation royal family for generations have been capable of doing so. Though, I don't believe we are that special. It's just been a closely guarded secret."
"Pretty much all except Zuzu," Azula added.
"But he can redirect it," Akiko chimed, remembering what she had heard in conversations with and about Zuko. Another tile.
"Yes," Iroh confirmed, "I taught him that myself. It came from my study of the water benders." He placed a tile, just off the center; a move of challenge. "At this point, with Azula's prowess and instruction, I thought you would have touched on the topic by now. My niece is a very capable lightning bender, afterall."
"What does it take?" Akiko asked.
"It takes conviction. Resoluteness. Full certainty, and a calm and level mind is what is needed to generate lightning," Iroh preached. "In fact, it is essential. For your own safety, not just the safety of others."
Azula was silent.
"How much is it different from ordinary fire bending?" Akiko pushed on.
"Lightning is explosive, and precise. The cold blooded fire is powerful and precise, and all that energy channeled through a single point is explosive and can be devastating. I'm sure it's been demonstrated to you." At this point Iroh, with or without certainty, was driving spikes into Azula. She remained quiet, unnaturally quiet, during this explanation. "Especially knowing how assertive and encouraging my niece is."
"Are you quite done yet, uncle?" Azula spoke up.
Akiko held her tongue. In reality, Azula had tried to display this peak fire bending ability to Akiko. The topic of generating lightning had come up. But when Azula had tried to generate and shoot lightning…nothing happened. No bolts of electricity, no dramatic battleship-destroying charges of explosive power..nothing! In one frustrating instant, it even blew up in her face! Akiko knew how her friend was down, embarrassed, shamed, and touched about having not been able to generate lightning recently, when just a few years ago she had blown up an entire battleship with it. "Azula has deemed that I am not ready…or worthy?... at this time, and I will respect the decisions of my instructor," Akiko said, trying to steer away from the subject.
Azula in any of her previous states would have been capable of lightning, even in points of great instability. But after the past few years and with many counselings and heart-to-heart chats, particularly with Akiko, Azula had reached a low point of uncertainty and internal conflict. The former Princess of the Fire Nation was deeply affected by her inability to effectively lightning bend, and it weighed on her self esteem terribly. At least her fire was still a bright sapphire.
She placed down a white lotus tile. Right in the center of the board. A move that, when done too early, was pointless and risky, but when done at the right time, like now, could win her the game.
Iroh immediately changed tone. "The White Lotus gambit," he admired in a sing-songy, impressed way. He stroked his beard. "It's a very old and traditional..almost ancient way of playing. Not many, now, still cling to it."
Akiko slowly looked up from her fingers, which still held the piece firmly against the board. She hadn't withdrawn her hand. "I find myself a bit of an admirer of ancient traditions. Tea ceremony and flower arranging are becoming less and less common in Japan, they are changing more and more into ancient arts. I think in the future, being hosted by Geisha and Maiko will also become a rare tradition." she firmly said. "I find that those who cling to traditions and uphold them, can always find a friend."
"You have undoubtedly been a very busy body as of recent then," Iroh remarked, his eyes narrowing.
"Indeed," Akiko acknowledged.
"Then," Iroh ominously added, "You know what is likely to happen in the future."
Akiko sighed. "I do."
An alert gong rang from a tower above the streets and town areas. Suddenly, all the militiamen in the nearby cafes scrambled. They popped up from their chairs, with enough force that the chairs went flying back a few feet.
"That's the signal to report to post!"
"We must hurry!"
Militia and military members began to huddle towards their posts. A sea of servicemembers filled the streets. Even Japanese and American servicemen moved. The three of them were confused. What was the commotion?
Akiko headed for the curb. She flagged down an IJN sailor. "What's going on?"
"We've been ordered to report to our posts immediately," he said. The man leaned closer to Akiko's ear. "There is rumor among the ranks that Yu Dao is expecting to under go an attack. But don't tell anyone yet! It's just a rumor!"
The sailor slung his rifle and ran off right after, before Akiko could get another word in.
"What's going on?" Azula asked.
"Nothing," Akiko replied. "Nothing except a mass muster call. But I think we should report to the garrison for now."
US - Japan Joint Military Garrison
Yu Dao, Western Earth Kingdom
"Gentlemen," First Lieutenant Stevenson called over the mass of US Marines and IJN sailors, "Ladies," he said, referring to the grouping of Kyoshi Warriors and the female officers of the combined Yu Dao Militia. "We've dreaded the idea, but it's become reality. The Earth King and his armies are going to march on Yu Dao. In force." A pair of marines posted the map of Yu Dao and its surrounding areas on the board just behind the lieutenant. "We are expecting an attack from our eastern front. It's the only logical way for the Earth Kingdom to approach the city. Going through the mountains elsewhere would leave their troops segregated and vulnerable. We will have the upper hand as Yu Dao's defenses have been, under our foresight, significantly upgunned and up armored. However, the Earth Kingdom armies will attack with an overwhelming size, in an attempt to overpower and wrench control of Yu Dao into their hands."
Discussions and whispers flared from the viewers, especially those of Earth Kingdom heritage.
"That's not all." Lieutenant Hiroaki Takeda added. "The western front will see an attack by the Fire Nation. Here to prevent Yu Dao from falling into Earth Kingdom control as well."
What is going on?! Aang was stressed, and quietly stood off to the side of the briefing. This isn't what's supposed to happen. Zuko was supposed to simply hand over Yu Dao and the former colonies back to the Earth Kingdom, their rightful owners. It was only right. They'd just finished a war! And now, just four years later, the next Hundred Year War seems on the horizon!
"The fleet has been barred from entering the Fire Nation, abruptly," Takeda revealed. "I have heard from my fellow shipboard servicemen. Fire Lord Zuko makes this underhanded move while all of our ships are away from the Fire Nation's harbors. They are too far away to stop the oncoming invasion force. The carriers and their aircraft would be a day too late to stop the landing.
"Sergeant Wright," Stevenson called. The NCO's hand was raised. "What the hell's gone wrong? Any intel?"
"Apart from the Earth King being…a royally stuck up asshole, it appears that Fire Lord Zuko, no surprise also, has went back on his word to cede the colonies back to the Earth Kingdom." Joe scoffed. "Which leaves us in a precarious position. Specifically, the position of being right smack down in the very middle of two countries about to kill each other…again. It is not ideal at all. We will see two armies come at this city from two fronts."
"So where does that leave us?" Suki chimed in.
"We will have to fend off those two armies. Overwhelming force, meets overwhelming firepower," Joe replied.
At the back of the room, Akiko and Azula quietly snuck in to observe the briefing.
"Both?" Aang asked. "Lieutenant, did you say we need to fight off both armies?"
"I did," Joe emphasized. "We need to fight off both attacking forces. Keep them both back from Yu Dao. Long enough until we can get either naval or air support to finally turn them back."
"Yu Dao belongs to the Earth Kingdom!" Aang put his foot down. The room went silent and still. Even the militia members looked with opposition to Aang. "What was stolen- Conquered! Should be returned! It's only right."
Those in attendance had their discussions flare. The volume grew substantially. The avatar was drawing the line, but it was not being well received.
"Unfortunately, Aang," Lieutenant Stevenson countered, Takeda also reinforcing his American counterpart, "We can't afford that either."
"Our navy's have too much at stake with the Yu Dao territory operating as it is," Lieutenant Takeda added.
"Irrelevant," Aang retorted. "This is Earth Kingdom land! And this is then Earth Kingdom property! These people are of the Earth Kingdom and they should rightfully have their home returned to the Earth Kingdom!"
"Are you sure?" A challenging and sly voice called from the back of the room. "Are you sure that all of these people are of the Earth Kingdom? There's more than just Earth nationals here, you know, Avatar." Azula stepped forth into the light of the hanging lamp at the back of the room.
Katara immediately got defensive, Sokka and Aang too. The sight of the former Fire Lord put them on edge. She still wasn't trustworthy in their eyes. "Azula!" Aang called out. "I should have known someone like you was behind this! What did you tell the Fire Army's generals!"
"I believe you're mistaken, Avatar," Azula shot back, crossing her arms and shifting her weight to her back foot. "I haven't said anything to any general out there. In fact, as boring as it's been, I haven't had anything to do with the Army at all since the end of the war.
"You're lying," Katara challenged. "Zuko wouldn't do something like this!" Aang fired back.
Akiko stepped up to defend her friend. "Actually, Avatar Aang..Azula is telling the truth. I've been with her this whole time. We've actually been here in Yu Dao."
"If somehow you don't believe me or Akiko," Azula further challenged, "you can also consult my fuddy-duddy uncle too. I'm not lying when I say I've been here and have nothing to do with this."
"What kind of a force are we expecting?" one of the earth bending militia officers asked. "How much Fire Nation?"
"How much Earth Kingdom?" a fire bending militia officer asked as well.
"Exact numbers won't be known until we get effective air cover. But expect two separate invasion forces," Joe replied. While the avatar and their former opponent argued, the briefing would continue. "We'll have first, second, and third companies manning the western defensive wall. Sharpshooters and machine guns up top as well. Suki," he said looking to the Kyoshi Warriors, "That's you ladies." He continued his description of the order of battle. "I want two platoons of earth benders and one of fire benders as well. They'll help form defensive positions and trenches for fourth and fifth companies stationed on the ground." The lieutenant eyed his platoon leaders for a nod of understanding.
"Eastern defense will look similar," Takeda called to the grouping of IJN sailors and officers. "With greater focus on the elevated positions. "Two platoons fire benders, and one of earth," he ordered.
"Avatar, honestly," Azula prodded, "You keep talking about what's right. What is right? And according to who?"
"The return of this land to the Earth Kingdom, according to…I don't know.. History! How about the fact that we are standing on the Earth Kingdom!"
"And what about the people here? What about what they want?"
"What they want isn't relevant. This isn't their world?"
Azula rolled her eyes. "Not them, genius," she said, referring to the US and Japan, "Them!" her hand gestured to the earth and fire bending militia members. The citizens of Yu Dao. "This is after all, their home." All of the mentioned men and women looked to the avatar, wide eyed, or with frustration. "You're not understanding, Avatar. These people weren't alive to see the Fire Army, led by great grandfather Sozin, march into this city. Many weren't here even to see grandfather Azulon ascend to the throne either. To many of these people, this isn't stolen land, it's just home. We're not even talking about the Earth Kingdom nationals that moved here for a better life during the war, during actual occupation, either. Do you really think they want to go back?"
Akiko retreated to the background. She was impressed and amazed that Azula was actually stepping up to bat for the colonials of Yu Dao. Even if her intentions came from the desire simply to spite the Avatar, the former dictator was right. And even though Akiko knew that Azula was dragging her feet everywhere they went in Yu Dao over the past several weeks, and bearing through everything they did, she was happy that Azula was starting to understand and gain a more understanding, borderline compassionate, side to her. Even if it was baby steps at a time.
"Take a good hard look at them avatar," Azula fought on, "You can hop on your gigantic lumbering bison and took a loop around Yu Dao as well. Have you even talked to these people? The mayor? His daughter? Literally anybody in this filthy and disgusting city?" Her word choice could be improved to be a bit more…filtered, Akiko thought. "Or have you just been upholding your own ancient belief of what you think is right? I have only had to listen to a never ending bunch of them, and I can tell you the Earth Kingdom nationals have no interest in Yu Dao being absorbed back into the failure of government and lack of efficiency and protection that is the Earth Kingdom under that oaf King Kuei. And the Fire Nationals as well, for some reason, don't have a particularly strong inclination for Yu Dao to become a fully fledged Fire Nation territory. What they have here, they view as special, and something worth defending." Azula took a breath to pause. She had been laying into the avatar and his companions amid an important war meeting. "Really," she scoffed, "If they wanted to push Yu Dao toward Fire or Earth, the colony would have fought itself into oblivion at the very end of the war, four years ago! They'd have denied and resisted the Americans and Japanese as well. Anybody could have seen that, even your pony tailed boomerang loving friend Sokka. Though at this point, I'm sure he is practically a soldier of the US."
Sokka hadn't said anything to Aang in terms of the avatar's beliefs as to how Yu Dao should be handled. Afterall, he still respected his friend and his say, as the avatar. But deep down, Sokka agreed with everything Azula was saying. If the people of Yu Dao didn't want to return to the jurisdiction of either of the two nations, they should be left alone, allowed to stand as an independent state.
"Do you seriously agree with her? With Azula of all people?" Katara confronted her brother. And although he didn't say anything, Aang was right behind her in the questioning. "Azula, who planned to raze the Earth Kingdom to the ground? Who took over Ba Sing Se, very very nearly killed Aang, is now directly responsible for the murder of hundreds of Earth Kingdom civilians in the war effort, and took your girlfriend hostage?!"
Sokka's hand tightened on his submachine gun's sling. He stood his ground. "With her? No. Azula..still has a very long way to atone for what she did. But her words..she's right, Katara. I have talked with Mayor Morishita and the members of Yu Dao's militia. Pretty much everyone said they don't want to be part of the Earth Kingdom."
"I can't believe you!" Katara gasped. Sokka stepped away and separated from both Aang and Katara, heading over to stand with the marines. "This area is rightful Earth Kingdom territory. It was stolen!"
"Yeah. But as Azula said, these people weren't there for that. None of them were. What they want now, is entirely their right to strive for. It's their home. Now that colonization is over, they had all the choice to turn back to either side and they decided they wanted to remain right here, free of both. That has to be worth something!"
Suki shot up from her seat. "I don't appreciate getting dragged into this as leverage, Katara!" Her face paint made her slight frustration seem like a fierce rage. "Azula and what she forced us to endure aside, the valid point stands. It's no different than how Kyoshi Island was created in the first place."
"Earth King Kuei," the American lieutenant spoke up, "Is coming here to wrench control of Yu Dao out from, what he says is the Fire Nation's grasp, but in reality is Yu Dao's own grasp."
"And Fire Lord Zuko is responding to his own people's desires to stay here, with force," the Japanese naval officer added.
"Our own nations' navies' interests in the region aside," Joe concluded, "the desire of Yu Dao to remain free and independent is a cause the US navy and marine corps have committed to defending. Avatar Aang, there are three sides to this problem. And I'm afraid, at this point, I'm going to need you to pick a side you are going to fight for." Joe issued an ultimatum, something that weighed heavily on the men. Aang was, afterall, the key to their possible return home. They couldn't afford to make him an enemy. Still, Joe and the forces that he represented, stood their ground. "With or without you, we, along with Yu Dao, are going to make a stand here!"
There was a rift growing, a clear split in the group! On one hand there was their friend Zuko. On the other was King Kuei, coming to take what was, according to territorial sovereignty, rightfully the Earth Kingdom's. And right in the middle of all of that was the Yu Dao colonials, the US and Japanese militaries, Sokka, Suki, and Azula of all people.
"You're outnumbered, Aang," First Lieutenant Stevenson pointed out. "You're either with or against us."
Aang's grip on his glider tightened. He felt like it could snap in half from where he held it! The avatar was furious. Without another word, he snorted and stormed out of the briefing room, with Katara in trail. Both of them had scowls across their faces. The briefing room was silent for a minute.
"Lieutenant," Sergeant Wright spoke up. He and his fellow NCOs were seated among the Kyoshi Warriors they trained along with. "Does that mean we are still carrying on, even without the Avatar?"
Joe sighed, he rested his hands on his utility belt and briefly stared at the ground beneath him. "Yes, sergeant," he sighed, "Yeah. We are carrying on. Admiral Spruance wants us to hold this city and territory. Yamamoto, too, has ordered his men to do the same. We will defend Yu Dao to the teeth, even if it means the Avatar is against us."
Yu Dao City Hall
Yu Dao Province - Western Earth Kingdom
1946 AD / 104 AG
"I had a feeling you would soon pay me a visit, Avatar Aang." The governor of Yu Dao, Morishita, bowed in greeting as the avatar, his girlfriend, and his bison had firmly touched down on the roof of the government building.
Aang spun his staff in his one hand and firmly grounded it on the stone floor beside him. An audible thud resounded. It was one of his ways of coming off as an authority figure. "Governor Morishita," Aang addressed, " why have you led your city in defiance of the Harmony Restoration Movement? Are you trying to incite the next war between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation? Have you not tired of war? This city belongs to the Earth Kingdom!"
Kori Morishita, the governor's daughter, took a step forward at Aang in opposition, but the governor held her back. "Was it my father and I marching through the gates of Yu Dao over a century ago, Avatar? Did my father oust the incompetent Earth Kingdom governor here at the time?"
"Well," Aang stumbled, "I don't see how that's-"
"Was it the Earth Kingdom that gave all these people a heightened standard of living? Was it King Kuei that fended off wave after wave of daofei and marauders when they came to raid Yu Dao and its people?" Kori was much more forward and vocal, she did not let up on battering Aang. "The way I imagine it, Kuei wants this town for taxes and conscripts! But nothing further. He doesn't care about Yu Dao! He couldn't give a rat's ass about what we've built here. It's all for his own grandstanding and gobbledygook to show he isn't as incompetent as everyone knows him to have been!" Kori had obviously been talking with US Marines and anchor crankers often enough. With the amount of Earth King slander she was spouting, Aang thought she had definitely been speaking with Joe at this point.
"Built on the suffering and the colonization of the Earth Kingdom!" Katara blurted out, coming to Aang's support, "By the Fire Nation! You didn't do it! But you're carrying on their legacy!"
"Shows how much you know about the people you are trying to just hand over," Kori scoffed. "As expected. At this point, the US and Japan care more about Yu Dao's future. About our people's future. And they're not even from this world! I know they just care about Yu Dao for the port and the industry too!"
"What do you mean?" Aang questioned, "What am I missing?"
"What am I, avatar?" Kori sighed.
"Fire Nation!" Katara blurted out. She was jumping to conclusions.
Kori pinched the bridge of her nose. Hard. She shook her head strongly, and her eyebrows furrowed to the point they looked like sticks about to snap. "Where do you think my parents are from?"
"Well they're from-" Katara began, but this time Aang stopped her. He was starting to read the room.
"You were born here, weren't you?" Aang corrected.
"Mhm." Kori confirmed. "And, I'm an earth bender, just so you know."
"Governor Morishita," Katara asked, "you're an earth bender?"
"No," the official answered, "Kori's mother is." The governor, in his soft spokenness clenched his fists and took a hard stance now. "Precisely why I, and the vast majority of the citizens here in Yu Dao oppose your ideological Harmony Restoration Movement!" He pointed an accusing finger at Aang. "The original mandate would have had all Fire Nation citizens deported back to the Fire Nation! Tearing many families, my own included, apart! You want to know why I defied you, Avatar? Why I sent that letter? Because many would rather fight to the death than be torn away from their loved ones!"
Aang was at a loss for words. He had been pointed out to be inconsiderate of those he was directly forcing on ideals alone. "Wait. What letter?"
"Fire Lord Zuko visited here before. He came to consult with me on how to move all the Fire Nation citizens back to the Fire Nation. I vehemently opposed him, and voiced my oppositions," Morishita recalled. "And on top of that, many of the towns people, earth and fire, were behind me on the matter. A walk around Yu Dao, and Fire Lord Zuko started to understand, even if a little. He was stubborn, though. He seemed to be lacking a spine! After all, are we not his people too? But he wasn't listening at first!"
"That must be why he withdrew from the deal," Katara surmised.
"What letter did you send?" Aang questioned.
"I told Fire Lord Zuko that we would not surrender this town to the Earth Kingdom," the governor revealed.
"So he's sending his army here simply to fight the Earth Kingdom," the avatar and his partner inferred.
"But I also said, at this point, we would not submit to Fire Nation rule either! That we were breaking away from his rule too!" Morishita slammed a fist into his open palm for emphasis. "We've created and fostered something greater than just Earth Kingdom or just Fire Nation! This is a unified city state. There is too much at stake here and we've built too much to erase it all and recess back into service to a crown."
"Secession, Avatar," Kori emphasized. A term she'd picked up again from the Americans. "Independence! Freedom! Earth and Fire united! This is the way forward. And even if you, Zuko, or Kuei disagree, these people are willing to fight and die for it! Will you deny these people, the people of Yu Dao, caught in the middle of idealized politics, what they want?!"
"I…" Aang stuttered. If he answered in any way other than the one Kori was looking for, he would not look peaceable.
"You'd best pick a side, Avatar Aang," Kori said, now with her father's backing. He was already being reminded of what Lieutenants Stevenson and Takeda were telling him not too long ago, with the same tone of an ultimatum. "...Because, with us or against us, we will stand and fight for what we believe in!"