Before anything else, I own nothing but the original characters, and content therein related to them. Avatar: The Last Airbender is owned by Nickelodeon, and any mentioned creator's work belongs to them, and them alone.

Chapter 12 Petition.

The next morning, after Connor did what he could to make his hangover go away, (namely dunking his head in a trough meant for komodo-rhinos filled with cold water,) he walked through the camp to find Azula's tent. "Azula? You still clothed?" He asked, before entering. He found the girl just now propping herself up onto her elbow, an empty bottle of rum beside her cot. Connor snorted in amusement. "I see Suki and I weren't the only ones who enjoyed the bottle last night."

Azula held up a finger and closed her eyes. "What evil man created such an alluring, yet disastrously heavy spirit such as rum?" Azula asked. "Because I want to both thank him, and burn him alive." She said, before sitting up, and rubbing her eyes. "Either way, the information you gathered last night has proven exceptionally useful. I've made a plan."

"You made a plan while you were drunk?..." Connor asked, crossing his arms. Azula remained silent. "Well let's hear it." He said with a grin.

"I made this before I got drunk…" Azula snapped. "I considered simply stealing the Kyoshi warrior's robes and infiltrating the city that way. The Avatar's companion, Sokka would likely want to see us, so that would be an easy in, but we'd need to stretch an excuse to bring you with us, since they don't allow men in their ranks, and being realistic you'd stick out. From there, we had a few options. Draw the Avatar out, and capture him, then possibly get close to the Earth King and assassinate him to leave the city with no rule, and let it crumble from a succession crisis. Sort of a two birds one fire blast sort of thing, as a favor to the Fire Army... But there is no guarantee that will not lead to an angered population or heir to the throne willing to then go on an offensive in revenge. I also thought that it might be possible to stage a coup internally, but with what loyalty? The people of the city are all Earth Kingdom citizens, a regime change to open the city to the Fire Nation would lead to guerrilla fighters springing up and attempting to install a pro Earth Kingdom government again. But what you told me, about your people, got me thinking. What if we did as they did? Immigrate to a new land, and settle in? Play something of a waiting game with The Avatar? He's never going to find a firebending master to teach him, so I'm willing to bet that he's permanently moved into the city, and if we can just get in, all we need to do is draw him out... By introducing the people of Ba Sing Se to a little rebellious spirit."

"You're saying you want the people of The Earth Kingdom to overthrow their government?" Conner asked.

Azula smirked. "The country devolves into a civil war, we don't need to fight the king's armies, nor will we need to force the citizens into submission if their new government is willing to accept amicable relations with The Fire Nation. And if I know anything about The Avatar from these last few months, it's that eventually he'll come out of hiding to try to help restore peace. Everyone but the Earth Kingdom government and its sympathizers win… And I know just who to pose as to incite this revolution."

Azula, Mai, Ty Lee and Connor, made their preparations for the upcoming infiltration. They packed an assortment of essentials they would need for the trip ahead of them. Without their mongoose-lizards or the logistical support of the Fire Nation, it would all need to be carried by their own two feet.

Connor, being the most used to such a task of carrying his own weight, stuffed his brown bag full with more provisions than the others. Once changed into a flat white long sleeve tunic, green pants, simple hide boots that reached his knees, and his conical hat, he strapped his belt on tight, and tucked his pistol beside his sword.

Ty Lee wore a long pea green skirt that reached her ankles, and an olive green shirt with flared sleeves that stopped at her elbows. She tied up the hem around her chest to expose her midriff as she was so accustomed, and wore light black slippers. She undid her braid, and let her hair down.

Mai refused to change her hair, and clothed herself in a more ornate long cream colored dress with a long sleeveless over-tunic the shade of sandstone. A beaded belt was tied around her waist. Heeled shoes did well to give her an extra inch of height. She had no bags with her, and instead carried all of the official documentation (forged of course) that would be required to get the team into the city.

Azula wore black boots, forest green pants that were tied at the calf, a jade green sleeveless outer tunic that reached down to her knees. A lighter shade of wrappings were tied around her stomach to keep the garment to her body. She took her hair out of it's top not, and let it hang from a ponytail.

Once ready, they were shuttled from the camp, to the north shore of the western great lake by a beast drawn cart, and then steamed south to the other side of the lake. After a short day's walk east, they encountered fellow "refugees" who pointed them in the direction of the elusive Full Moon Bay.

They followed a trail into a small cave that, while seemingly innocuous from the outside, was opened by Earth Benders from the interior. The covered bay was absolutely packed with Earth Kingdom citizens, creating something of a tent city within the cave as they waited for a chance to ride the ferry.

As the four walked through the encampments, Ty Lee's attention was taken by the sound of a crying child. "Oh, these poor people."

"Don't let your sympathies betray you, Ty Lee. Every one of them wouldn't hesitate to have us arrested or killed if they knew who we were." Azula said.

"I don't get it. Why would anyone put themselves in this position? The Fire Nation is doing great things for the colonies." Mai said.

"Colonials, eh?" The four were stopped by a short man in green holding two cabbages in his hands. Connor rested his left hand on his pistol, as Azula held her hand up. "I can tell, you got the eyes of a lady with Fire in her blood." The short man looked at all of them.

"Is there an issue with us being colonial born?" Azula asked, as a few people's attention shifted to them.

"Course not. Fire Nation doesn't care who they up and kick out. Earth people, water people, heck their own half bloods it seems like." The man said, as he held up his cabbages. "And I don't care who buys my cabbages either. Want one? Only two copper for a cabbage." Azula rolled her eyes, as she started walking away, not interested in buying rare vegetables. Connor meanwhile, fished into his pockets for coins, the Earth kingdom money that they were given already proving useful to him.

The team approached the ticket counter, and the lady looked down at them, narrowing her eyes. "Wait a minute. You look like you're Fire Nation." She said.

Mai sighed. "Here we go again." She pulled out four passports, and a family seal, then held them out to the ticket official. "Mistress Kyoko of The Omashu House of Lords. I'm seeking refuge from the occupation of my city. This is lady Akiko…" Mai held a hand out to Azula. "My servant Ai." Ty Lee smiled. "And…" Mai looked at Connor, who was chewing on a chunk of cabbage. "My bodyguard… Gong." She said.

The ticket lady looked at the passports, and then at the family seal, before she nodded. "I heard word that you would be arriving after Omashu was invaded. I am terribly sorry for your loss, ma'am. Please, enjoy the safety of Ba Sing Se." She said, stamping all four tickets. Mai took them back, and turned towards the ferry entrance, as Connor finished the rest of his cabbage.

"It was so nice of Miss Kyoko to have stayed in Omashu." Azula said with a smirk.

The four boarded the ferry, and after a slow ride through the night, arrived at a small dock just outside of Ba Sing Se's southern bend. A short walk took them into an underground station, where they were able to once more procure tickets that would take them deeper into the city, this time by way of an earth bender powered train.

Once the stone train came clear of the tunnel, the lush farmland of Ba Sing Se's outermost ring could be seen for miles on end.

"No wonder this city's held for over one hundred years. The farmland alone is enough to feed their people a dozen times over." Azula said, taking mental notes about everything she'd experienced so far.

"Ay, the place reminds me of the trip I took to South kærəˈlaɪnə." Connor said.

The train continued on, and after entering another tunnel through one of the city's many walls, the team was met with the most expansive urban sprawl that any of them had ever seen. Easily as densely packed as New York City, and from horizon to horizon, Ba Sing Se's lower ring was a surprise to all. "Do they have cities like this where you're from?" Azula asked Connor. He shook his head.

"ˈpærɪs maybe, as far as I've seen, but still, even it's small compared to this." Connor added. Before getting a whiff of the city. "Sure smells like ˈpærɪs though."

"I knew that Ba Sing Se was huge, but this… Maps don't do it justice." Mai said, sounding almost surprised by something for once in her life.

"I think you made the right call for a revolution. Taking this by force, and keeping it… That would be impossible." Connor said.

The train traveled further into the city, going through another wall, where the urban clutter opened up some, giving space for buildings to stand on their own and grass to grow between them. The city's middle ring, consisting of more luxurious stores, financial institutions, schools, as well as middle class citizens, was as far as their stolen passports would get them.

The four stepped off of the train, and looked around. "Well what now?" Ty Lee asked.

As if scheduled, a woman approached them from the stairs near the station. A green eyed woman with a round face, who smiled far too widely. "Hello, and welcome to Ba Sing Se. I am Joo Dee. It is my pleasure to be your host."

All four looked between each other. "You must be Mistress Kyoko, Lady Akiko, Ai, and Gong." Joo Dee said, maintaining a cheerful smile and wide eyed stare throughout.

"It's an honor." Mai said with a small bow.

"Please, follow me, there is a carriage waiting for you at the base of the station, and your accommodations are not far from here." Joo Dee said, as she turned and started walking. The team shrugged to each other and followed the lady down the station's steps, and to an ostrich horse drawn carriage.

The four piled into the four wheeled cart, and the driver cracked a whip. Connor hit his head on the wall as the cart lurched forward, and he groaned. "Now, there are a few simple rules to follow in Ba Sing Se beyond what you may find in other cities around the world. The upper ring is strictly forbidden for those in the middle and lower rings, unless invited by a member of the upper ring, and while the barbarian's outside of the walls that drove you from your homes might be considered a threat to uncivilized society, everyone is safe and welcome here, Earth Kingdom, Colonists, even Fire Nation, and Water Tribe. For all intents and purposes, there is no war in Ba Sing Se. Afterall we don't want to cause needless fear among our citizens, would we?" Joo Dee asked, looking directly at Connor, before the carriage stopped. "Please, enjoy your accommodations in the greatest city in the world." She said, before opening the door, and letting the team of four out.

As the carriage took off, Connor looked at everyone else. "Well she was kwɪə." He said.

"What?" Ty Lee asked.

"Queer." Connor repeated in English before speaking in common. "Strange, off, not normal." Connor filled in.

"She's a handler." Mai spoke. "This city maintains order over its low nobility through suggestion. She knows we're all Fire Nation, but so long as we don't make waves or call attention to ourselves the government here doesn't care what we do." Mai said before sighing. "Just like home."

"Alright then ladies, why don't we get settled in. We've got a lot of work ahead of us." Azula said, turning towards the house.

Connor set his bag by the door, and wandered around the small one story house. The foyer was relatively small, and encompassed a sitting area with cushions on the floor. There was a galley kitchen hidden behind a wall, and to Connor's count only three bedrooms. "Guess I'll be taking the floor then." He muttered to himself, before Ty Lee came sliding out of a side room.

"You're never going to believe this." She said with a smile. The others looked between each other, and followed Ty Lee. Connor entered the room, and was confused as to what he was looking at. A stone basin to the left looked as if it was a bath, which he'd seen something of similar design in the Fire Nation Royal Palace. A smaller basin jutting out of the wall looked like it was made for hand washing, but the third one between them, already filled with water that sat lower than the others intrigued him, as a pipe ran up to a raised cistern close to the wall, a lever sticking out it's side. There was a roll of paper sitting beside the basin.

"What is it?" Azula asked.

"It's a toilet. There were a few in the king's palace in Omashu. My father had the designs for one sent back to the Fire Nation." Mai said.

"It's an out-house, but inside… That's so weird." Connor said.

"Indoor plumbing must be fairly common in the city if their middle class subjects are afforded this." Azula said, with an eyebrow raised in intrigue. "Granted, they can't just burn all their waste." Azula looked at Connor. "You mentioned that you don't have running water in your home land?" Connor shook his head. "Pity…" Azula said, before turning and leaving the room.

The team gathered again in the sitting room, and Azula looked over her three friends. "We're going to need to blend in, and feather out our influence in this city. Collecting information on the people's grievances is our first order of business. From there, we'll incite protest, and hopefully with any luck quickly sweep the people into a movement against their government. Mai, as the one with the most assumed political influence, you are our foot in the door of the middle class, I want you to find out if the city has any restrictions on imported goods. Connor, you best fit the commoner role, I want you to find out what the taxes and restrictions on financial mobility are like in the middle and lower rings. Ty Lee, I need you to make friends with the other strangers, freaks, refugees, or what have you from the poorest neighborhoods you can find. Speak to the women especially. You've no doubt heard how little rights they have in the Earth Kingdom. See if they are true. And all of you, keep an eye out for any sign of The Avatar. We might be trying to start a revolution here, but he is our true target, and the sooner we draw him out the better."

"And what are you going to do?" Connor asked.

Azula smirked. "Well, borrow a few law books from Ba Sing Se's University, of course."

After an afternoon of scouting out the city, the four regrouped at their loaned home. "So how'd it go?" Azula asked.

"Awful. Apparently there's a ban on almost everything that the Fire Nation's made since the start of the war. Food, machinery, they even destroyed a small steam engine some merchant created." Mai said. "And their knives are all boring." She muttered.

Connor chuckled. "You think that's bad, I had to pay almost half the price of a meal as tax on it's purchase in the lower ring. Near five copper coins for a single egg and some noodles. I don't know how these people can afford that."

Ty Lee looked around realizing it was her turn. "Oh, I almost got kidnapped."

"You what?" Everyone else asked simultaneously.

"So I was walking around in the lower ring, looking for other misfit's like me. I figured I could probably get some good information from street performers, or maybe a couple prostitutes, and I came across a lady running away from these two guys in black hats, and robes with the Earth King's seal on them. She was crying about these Di Lee people, and one of the guys in the black robes asked if I knew the lady. They said I was probably another whore, and they threw a couple of gloves at me that were made out of rocks, but I was able to take care of them." Ty Lee said with a smile.

Azula raised an eyebrow. "Connor, Ty Lee, did either of you actually see any signs of prostitution in the lower ring?" Both shook their heads.

"It was strange. A city this big, I was expecting to find a lady of the town on every corner." Connor said.

"What's really weird though, was when the lady I helped thanked me, and said her name was Joo Dee, like our host." Ty Lee said.

Azula narrowed her eyes. "So, the city of Ba Sing Se regulates unfavorable behavior with a secret police force…" Azula looked out the window towards the middle ring's wall. "And turns their excess supply of desperate and single young women among their refugees into a politically motivated arm of the government's control."

"Are you talking about brainwashing?" Mai asked.

"Maybe, or maybe it's just a matter of the right incentives for an allegiance." Azula said, thinking to herself. "Get some sleep, all of you. We have more to do in the morning."

As Mai and Ty Lee made their way to their small rooms, Connor started to rearrange the cushions to create his makeshift bed. Azula turned to leave the sitting area, and looked back at Connor as he roughly laid down on the floor, the sight reminding her of the opium dream she'd had. Turning away, Azula retired to her room, and stayed up to read over all she'd borrowed from the university library, and wrote up a manifesto of sorts.

Halfway through the night, Connor turned over in his sleep, as his peaceful slumber decayed into a dark dream. Connor shivered in his sleep, clutching the pillow beneath him. He saw Azula, hair a wild and tangled mess, and clothing soaked through, as she raged against chains that bound her to the ground. She spat her signature blue fire in what looked like an animal's desperate attempt to free itself, before she went slack, and began sobbing.

Connor shot to a state of alertness, and sat up from the floor. From his spot in the room, he was able to see Azula looking at him with concern from her seat at the desk in her room, the door left open. "Ay, just a dream..." Connor said mostly to himself as he lay back down, trying to go back to sleep. "Just a weird dream."

The next morning, Mai checked the front porch, and found a stack of papers on their doorstep. She hummed, reading the news. "Seems like the Earth King is having some big party at the palace tonight." She said, as everyone had gathered in the sitting area.

Azula, in the middle of brushing her hair, stopped and looked up. "This is perfect. The upper ring is no doubt going to have an increased presence of security, and likely the lower rings will have their own forces drawn from to facilitate. The perfect conditions to move around without being seen."

"What do you want me to do?" Connor asked, as he finished a bowl of eggs and rice.

Azula held up two pages of paper. "I want you to take this to every newspaper publication in the lower ring, and have them print it tomorrow. It can be done in the form of a flier, included in the newspaper, or anything else. So long as it's distributed. I made a more professional looking copy that I have plans for." Azula said, handing the sheets to Connor.

Connor gave a casual nod, and took the paper, leaving to do his task, stopping only once at the door to glance back at Azula with concern. Azula stood from her cushion, and smirked, the more ornately written version held outstretched in her hands.

Under the cover of darkness later that night, Azula, wrapped in a cloak, walked through the streets of the middle ring to the oldest building in the district. Town hall. Taking up a hammer, Azula nailed her paper to the wooden door, and smirked.

"A Thesis

On The

Dissolution

Of

Corrupt

Governance.

By, The People.