Chapter Twenty Nine
Planning and Preparation.
Aang stood atop the mountain and that overlooked the city of Omashu. The once proud Earth Kingdom city had been humbled by war. Its sturdy wall had been covered with the cold steel of the FIre Nation, a measure to drive home a message: You are not free anymore.
He stood there as a sentinel; giving witness to the fallen city. He was still, but he wanted desperately to fly into motion. His friend, the last vestige of his childhood, was in that city, and quite possibly he had died. Aang wanted to fly in on his glider and cast out the invaders.
But his own doubts held him still. Twice before he had put his own desires before his duty to the world. A century ago he fled from his home at the temple, trying with all his might to leave behind a destiny that he had never wanted. In doing so, he was frozen in ice and lost to the world. A century of bitter war had followed in his absence. Thousands, perhaps millions, were slaughtered in a pointless conflict. His own people had been destroyed and he alone remained. Since his waking head felt as though a stranger in a strange land.
He had put his own beliefs before his duty when he had saved Zhao, and hundreds had suffered for it. One of his newfound friends had died, and another had changed. Possibly for good, and certainly not for the better. It was his own inability to separate from his desires and attachments that caused this suffering. All of it, and the burden of guilt was his alone. Aang thought he would forever carry it on his back.
Regardless, his dilemma remained. Could he afford to intervene? Could the world? What should he do? He wondered all of this and more. A soft spring wind tugged at his clothes. It kicked up loose stones and dirt. The scraping of leaves and the light clatter of small stones was all that could be heard. He took a deep breath. The soft scent of life returning to the world filled his nose. The late afternoon sun danced across his skin, and still he found no answer.
How could he leave Bumi behind? But how could he risk the future of the world? He was not yet a fully realized Avatar, and he doubted that he and his friends would be enough to drive out the Fire Nation. He rubbed his eyes in exasperation. This was getting him nowhere.
"Sokka." He called his friend. Sokka sauntered over to him.
"Yeah?"
"I don't know what to do."
Sokka looked out over the mountain city. He rubbed his chin, and spoke, "I know what you mean. Bumi's your oldest friend, in every sense of the phrase, but you're too important to risk. You might get captured, or killed."
Aang nodded. "That's the thing, isn't it? I have a duty to the world. I must master the elements before the comet arrives, and then I've got to fight Vaatu, I think. It's all a bit confusing, especially since I hardly know what's going on with him."
Sokka nodded his understanding.
"And still, how can I leave him? He's my friend, the last of them from before. But how can I not, when I know what might happen if I shirk my duty?"
Sokka took a long and drawn out breath. He looked to be lost in thought, but when he turned his blue eyes on Aang they were filled with understanding. "So you've got to choose between duty and friendship. A hard choice if I've ever heard of one."
Aang watched as his friend took out his boomerang. Sokka read the inscription and traced a thumb over the words. The young warrior licked his teeth before returning the weapon to its scabbard. Sokka closed his eyes, and when he opened them again they were concealed by darkness. He gazed out at Omashu as if searching. In time, he spoke and his voice seemed to echo as if speaking from far away.
"I do not know what we should do, Aang, but I know one thing at least. Bumi is alive, and I think he's trying to spit on the soldiers patrolling near him."
"What?" Aang said in surprise, his voice cracking. Sokka's voice was disturbing, and the fact that his eyes were shrouded in shadow was even more so. Even with all of that vague… creepiness, Aang's heart leapt at his words.
"I can see him," Sokka's mouth quirked up in a short lived smile, and when he spoke next he waved his fingers around theatrically, "With my… spirit powers!"
Aang snorted, despite the seriousness of the situation. "Well, they're pretty useful, even if they're not laser eyes. How is he? Where is he?"
"Uh, he's not facing us. Give it a second he'll turn around again, I think he's doing that on purpose," Sokka said, "Alright, he looks… well not good, but as good as you can expect for a man of his age. He seems unharmed, and they've got him locked in some kind of metal box held in the air. It's not very big, it looks like a coffin really, but they left his face uncovered. He just spit again, and… Haha! Right on target! The guy looks confused, he thinks it's raining!"
Aang smiled in relief. So at the very least, Bumi was still alive, and at least he had something to pass the time on. But knowing that his friend was alive and well did nothing to assuage his struggle. He thought it would have, but if anything it made it worse. He glanced over at Sokka, who's eyes had returned to normal. A light scraping of leather on stone caught his attention and he saw Katara climbing up from where Appa and Momo waited.
"Hey," She said, coming to stand beside him and overlook the city. She slipped her hand into his, and he too turned his attention to the city.
"I don't know what to do." He said to her, "Sokka can see Bumi, and says that he's still alive. I want to rescue him, to try and drive the Fire Nation away, but.." He trailed off.
"I can't tell you what we should do, Aang," Katara said softly, "But whatever you decide, we'll be with you."
A strong hand landed on his shoulder. Sokka gave him a crooked grin. "Both of us. Where you go, we'll follow."
"Thanks guys," Aang said with a smile. "I know I can count on you."
He detached himself from the others and went to the single tree that stood atop the mountain. He sat down lotus style and pressed his fists together, closing his eyes. His friends had helped him, at least emotionally, but it was clear to him now. Whatever they were to do, it was his decision to make. The choices ahead were his burden to bear.
Jee and Tahno bowed deeply at the waist, their hands in the traditional Fire Nation style. Zuko returned the gesture, and said, "Go. You know what you have to do, and please be careful on your way."
Both men stood at attention and saluted, and they spoke in unison, as if they had rehearsed the words, "As you wish, Fire Lord Zuko."
Zuko recoiled as if struck, and before he could sputter his response the two men were already out of the gate and on the road. His uncle raised an eyebrow.
"Their work must be subtle, and they are not subtle men," he mused.
Zuko turned his attention to his uncle, still flabbergasted at the exchange. He looked at Song, whose mouth was hanging open in shock. She too, evidently, had not expected for them to recognize him as Fire Lord outright. Zuko rubbed his face, ignoring the pain from his scarred eye as always.
"Would, um- do you two want to come inside, your, uh, grace?" Song said awkwardly, unsure of what she was supposed to do in that situation.
"Song, please don't call me that." Zuko said, his discomfort evident. He did not miss the slight upward twitch of his uncle's mouth.
"Okay, your eminence." Song said, still not sure of the correct title, but partially teasing the young man as well.
"No, that's not-! Just call me Zuko, please." He said, and his uncle smiled more broadly. His uncle stood and picked up his pack before heading inside. Song waited for Zuko to do the same before following them inside.
"Mom's not going to be home for a day or two." Song said, "And I don't have to go back to the hospital for a few more days."
Zuko nodded absently, and he drew a map of the Earth Kingdom from his pack. He laid it out on the low table and stared at it. His uncle sat down across from him and looked at it. Zuko broke the silence as he placed his finger on the map.
"We should be around here, right Uncle?" he asked, but it was Song who answered him.
"Actually we're…" She took hold of his hand and moved it a little to the south east, perhaps an inch on the map. Zuko flushed slightly at the contact, something that surprised him.
"Th-" His voice hitched in his throat and he coughed into his other hand. "Thanks"
Song smiled at him and sat down beside him, her shoulder gently brushing against his side. Zuko was… confused. He didn't know what was going on, but his uncle seemed to have an idea. The scarred prince elected to ignore it.
"Without access to FIre Nation information, tracking the Avatar is going to be difficult. We know that he's going to be needing an earthbending teacher, so I think we can rule out the Air Temples. It's likely that he's gone to a major city, either Ba Song Se or Omashu."
"Ba Sing Se, you mean." Iroh corrected him.
"That's what I said!" Zuko snapped. Iroh raised his hands placatingly.
"I do not believe that he would go there." Iroh said, "it is very far, and from what records I have read, Air Nomads alway avoided that city. And I doubt he would be in Omashu. It was taken by General Ukano, who is now governor. The city fell without resistance, and no were lives lost on either side."
"What? When did that happen?" Zuko asked. Song grew pale at the revelation.
"A month before the siege." Iroh answered. "It isn't important now, and the city will be liberated soon enough, should the Avatar defeat the Fire Lord. We need to go to a trade city, someplace where information flows freely."
"Do you have a suggestion?" Zuko said, and his uncle stroked his beard in thought. Song, however, did seem to have an idea. She placed a finger on the map, at a point not far from Omashu.
"What about Gaoling?"
"Hmm…" Iroh said, "It would take a while to get that far south over land, but otherwise it's a good destination."
"How long?" Zuko asked.
"Eh," His uncle said, shaking his hand in an unsure gesture, "Perhaps a month, maybe more. On top of that, we would have to pass by Omashu."
Zuko nodded slowly. Gaoling was outside of Fire Nation territory, but it was very close to the front. On top of that, it would take them a month to travel there by land, perhaps more… Still, they could barter for passage on a ship. A colony merchant vessel could get them to Yu Dao, and that was significantly closer to their destination. There were problems with that plan though. First and foremost, the ships would be searched by the port authority upon docking. Thanks to the Fire Lord, he was going to stand out wherever he went. His Uncle might stand a chance, as his beard had grown out a bit.
Maybe he could pose as a sailor again? He doubted that it would work on a merchant vessel. He might be able to wear a mask… no, they would ask him to remove it. He needed a way to conceal his identity. He decided to voice this thought aloud.
"I can't think of a way to conceal my identity. My picture is likely posted all across the occupied territories, and I'm kind of hard to mistake for someone else. Do either of you have an idea? If we could disguise me in some way, then we could book passage on a ship and get closer to Gaoling."
Iroh considered the idea, and in time he came up with a solution. "We could cover you in bandages, and say that you were injured on the front, or perhaps in a bandit attack. If we made them look realistic enough, then I doubt that anyone would examine you too closely."
Zuko nodded. It was decent enough plan, and simple plans tended to work out better than the more convoluted machinations, like the ones Azula preferred. Well, they usually worked out for her, but she was an exception.
"That's a great idea!" Song said, "I can travel with you and pose as your caretaker!"
Zuko's heart stopped in his chest at the idea of Song accompanying them on their journey. It
had already been fraught with danger, deception and violence fell on every turn. He had no
illusions that she wouldn't be caught in the crossfire.
"Absolutely not." Zuko said without a moment of hesitation.
"But, I can help! I-" Song argued, but Zuko cut her off.
"Song, you cannot come with me. The path I walk holds nothing but war and ruin! It is lined with ash, and shattered bones!" Zuko was shouting now, Though he didn't realize it. The idea of Song coming across the likes of Zhao was enough to bring him to anger, not that it was hard to anger him. "I've already put you in too much danger as it is, I cannot, will not, put you in any more."
Song stared at him for a moment. She bore a crestfallen expression, and quickly excused herself from the room. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, and his uncle cleared his throat. Zuko glanced at the man, and was surprised to see a look of disapproval on his face.
"What?" He asked, "Surely you don't think she should come with us."
"That is not the issue, Prince Zuko. That girl likes you, and you shouted at her when she offered to come with you on your journey."
"What?!" Zuko gaped, "How can you tell?"
Iroh closed his eyes. He took a deep and slow breath, before opening his eyes again.
"I am not going to dignify that with an answer. Get up, and apologize for shouting at her. There is no excuse for such poor treatment of such a kind young lady."
The last vestiges of the light cast by the setting sun fell upon Aang's face. He opened his eyes after a few hours of meditation. He watched Katara play a little game with Momo using her waterbending, and Sokka practiced his sword forms a short way down the mountain side. He smiled when he saw Sokka frown slightly. The warrior carefully re-placed his feet and repeated the motion he had been trying to execute.
Aang wasn't happy that Sokka hadn't performed perfectly, or that he was disappointed with the action. Aang was happy to see some emotion on the young man's face. It was a relief to have him with them again. Glancing up at the sky, he saw that clouds were blowing in from the east. The night would be dark.
Katara was the first to notice that he had finished meditating. She returned the water into her pouch and came over to him. Noticing the movement, Sokka came to join them. Aang watched as he sheathed his sword. When his hand brushed against the pouch on his belt, his brow furrowed slightly. He reached into the pouch and drew out something that Aang couldn't see. Sokka fingered it for a moment before frowning and returning it to his belt pouch.
"What did you decide?" Katara asked. Aang took a slow breath before answering.
"I know a way into the city without having to go through the gate. Getting in would be easy enough, but getting Bumi and getting out would be too dangerous." Aang felt a tightness at his throat, "I- We have to go on. We're not strong enough to retake the city, and it's too dangerous for us to try and rescue Bumi."
His eyes were wet. He shut them tight, and tears leaked from them all the same. Katara wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Sokka nodded and frowned, stroking his chin in thought. He again looked toward the city, and his eyes became shrouded in darkness.
"I… Maybe we don't have to be strong." Sokka said, his voice echoing slightly.
Aang opened his eyes, hope racing through his chest. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Sokka began, "At first I could only do it when I entered the void, but now I can do it regardless."
"Do what?" Katara asked with trepidation. Aang harbored her sentiment, he did not know what Sokka was talking about, and when his eyes seemed to disappear like that it was really creepy.
"It's easier if I just show you." He walked into the long shadow of the tree Aang was sitting against. "Can you see me?"
Aang was a little confused. Perhaps Azula wore poisoned lipstick and it was making him delirious. Regardless of his concern, he and Katara nodded. In an instant, the shadow darkened and Sokka disappeared.
Obviously, their reactions were enough to tell Sokka that whatever he had done was working. He stepped out of the shadow and it returned to normal. He began to explain. "Part of my deal with the Face Stealer. I can manipulate shadows a bit, I guess. I was doing it subconsciously before, but now I think I can do it on command."
"That," Katara said, "Is really creepy."
"I managed to figure that out, thanks. I didn't really get to choose what he gave me. He didn't even tell me there was a cost, he basically…" Sokka frowned. A look of profound sadness came across his face. He shook his head and produced an obviously forced smile. "Anyway, I think we can get in and out unseen. At the very least, you should be able to talk to him, even if we can't get him out of there."
Aang stared off into the middle distance. Could they do it? As Sokka said, at the very least he could speak to him, perhaps for the last time. Maybe they could get him out of there, and take him with them. Maybe they could try. Was it a risk worth taking? If he was captured by the Fire Nation then all would be lost. But if he could get Bumi out of the city then he would be that much closer to mastering the elements.
"I…" He started to speak. He swallowed and started again. "How much of the city can you see?"
Sokka titled his head to the side. He looked towards Omashu and his eyes were again concealed by shadow. "Not too much. A lot of the roads and streets are blocked by buildings, but I can see Bumi alright. He's suspended in the air on a long chain, not far from the palace. It looks like a team of guards is going on rounds… no, more than one. A second group just came into view."
Aang nodded slowly. He considered that if they could come up with a good enough plan, they might just be able to get the king. He used his staff to draw a rough sketch of the city in the dirt. He placed a small mark by the entrance of the drainage pipe that he knew could serve as their ingress. Sokka stooped next to him and observed his crude drawing. The older boy marked a spot just below the palace to indicate where Bumi would be located.
"Any ideas?" Aang asked him. Sokka looked thoughtful for a moment and nodded.
"It looks like they're building a giant statue at the top of the city. It's surrounded by scaffolding and canvas. If we can get Bumi to the top of the scaffolding, you can call Appa with your bison whistle."
Sokka glanced upwards before he continued speaking, "It looks like it might rain, so I don't think there's much chance of him being spotted if he moves quickly. The three of us can get into the city and sneak our way over to Bumi."
Aang looked over the valley towards Omashu. He was beginning to think they could do it, get his dear friend and leave undetected. He was jared from his musings when Katara spoke.
"We'll need someone to play lookout. If Bumi's being held in the open, somebody's gotta watch for guards."
"I can do it." Sokka said, "You two are benders, so you'll probably be more useful getting him out of his cell. Well, it's more of a box really. And besides, I can see and hear much better, especially in the dark."
Aang's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You can hear in the dark?"
He immediately realized how stupid that sounded. Aang had meant to ask if he could hear better in the dark, but it had come out wrong. Before he could amend his statement, Katara laughed and Sokka answered him.
"Yeah, and I can also breathe in the rain!"
"I meant hear better." Aang said flatly. Sokka shook his head.
"No, I can just see in the dark better than you guys. My hearing and other senses have gotten stronger too, since the north pole."
Katara nodded slowly. Aang watched her carefully, but didn't say anything. She had been a little withdrawn since they had come out of the tunnel and Sokka shared the story of his trip with Azula. He wondered what she thought about it. Standing up, he stretched himself and stared at Omashu for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Let's do it then. In a few hours, when it's fully dark, we'll rescue Bumi."
Zuko followed Song out and into the yard of her home. She had gone to the small building that served as the shelter for Sugar Foot and the other ostrich-horse. He could see her gently stroking the feathers of the animal's face. Zuko wasn't quite sure what he was going to say.
"I…" He said, rubbing the ever lengthening hair on the back of his head. Song didn't look over at him. He sighed and continued on. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. It's- I just don't want you to get hurt, and if you come with me you will."
Song glanced over at him but looked away quickly. He reached out and took her hand.
'Song," He said, "I know that you're not a child, but I can't take you with me."
She squeezed his hand gently and met his eyes. "I know, Zuko. I can't fight, and I'll probably just get in the way. I didn't think about it, or anything really. I just… How can I sit back and do nothing when others are out there, risking their lives and trying to save the world?"
Zuko nodded, and he was sympathetic towards her. "What does it mean to save the world? Is it alway fighting in great battles? Do you have to charge recklessly into the fray? I don't think so. At least, I hope that's not all it is." He remembered the kindness she showed him on their first meeting, and of how her story had helped him to see the truth. "Maybe it's something anyone can do. Small things, like showing kindness to a stranger who's lost his way."
Song seemed to consider her words, and smiled up at him. She stepped in closer to him, and suddenly Sugar Foot let out a mighty caw and stuck her head between the two. She nuzzled Zuko affectionately and gave Song a scathing look. Zuko was confused by the sudden outburst, but Song just began to laugh.
"Okay, okay!" She said to the bird, "I'm not going to steal him from you." She held a hand out for the animal and was eventually allowed to stroke the feathers on its head. She continued to pet Sugar Foot for a while, and eventually looked at Zuko.
"Will we ever see each other again?"
"I-" Zuko frowned. He didn't know if they would meet again, and honestly he had not expected to see her a second time until recently. He thought that he would like to come back here, after everything was over. If he survived, of course. With his luck, he doubted that was a certainty.
"I don't know." He said sincerely. "I hope so."
Song smiled. She looked back at Sugar Foot. "You'll have to take her with you, at least. I doubt she'll let you go a second time."
The ostrich-horse in question shook her head and stomped her claw, as if agreeing with Song's assessment. Zuko rolled his eyes at the steed. In truth, his original plan had been to come and get Sugar Foot, so that his uncle wouldn't have to walk all the way too… wherever they decided to go. It had been barely a single day, and yet his plans had been thrown completely aside. Although, he had to admit, not dying or being caught wasn't much of a plan. It was more of a life goal, really.
"When are you leaving?" Song asked.
"Soon," Zuko said, and then he thought she might have been hoping for them to leave immediately. Zuko found that possibility to be rather upsetting, and he realized that he liked Song.
"Oh, right. That makes sense, I mean, you do have to find the Avatar." Song said, and Zuko thought she sounded a little put out by the idea. He sighed, and realizing that he was still holding her hand, he led her back to the house.
The three of them rode on across the bridge and back into Omashu. Once they had gotten her out of the ice, Azula had been able to access the whistle that would summon their mounts. The gecko-lions were incredibly well suited for traversing over the mountains, and were able to pinpoint the signal from miles away. After they had finally gotten started on their journey, it had taken them only a few short hours to return to the city. The sun had set a couple of hours ago, and now the trio were back in the city.
"And that's when the badger-moles carried us out of the mountain. You know the rest." Ty Lee said cheerfully. Mai sent a puff of air at her bangs, causing them to lift from her forehead.
"That must have been hard for you, Mai, being stuck with those idiots. I'm sure Ty Lee fit right in though." Azula said.
"You know, I did fit in with… wait, Azula! That's so mean!" Ty Lee said, and she began to pout.
Azula smiled slightly at her friend's indignance, but Ty Lee's words brought her back to a couple of hours previous. Someone else had called her mean, and then he had managed to get away. It was odd. She should be upset, but in reality she felt… relieved. Why, though? She had set out to capture Sokka and his friends, to take them back to her father in chains. It wasn't the exact mission given her by the FIre Lord, but… She knew it was an obligation to her people that the Avatar be captured. If he went free, then the war might well be lost. They were so close, and if the boy mastered the elements then the Fire Nation would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Why didn't that idea disturb her as it once had? Was it because of what the mad king had told her? Or was it the story of the forty first? Perhaps it was because after spending so much time with Sokka she had come to realize that the other peoples of the world weren't just faceless automatons to be conquered and destroyed. They were just as real as the people of the Fire Nation. Azula shook her head. She knew her duty, and she would follow through with its completion.
They made their way to the palace. Azula's hair was whipped against her face by the wind as it picked up. She hadn't gotten her hair piece back after she and Sokka had gotten out of the cave. She had gotten distracted, and it had slipped her mind. She wondered if he would keep it, or if he would throw it away at the first opportunity.
"Finally." Mai said as they entered the governor's palace. "I can't wait to take a bath."
