TLF - The Last Firebender

by Carrotine Clara

When all hope is lost, Aang is ripped from a dystopian world, only to find himself in a sick, distorted reality, forced to fight his friends alongside his foe. But can he really trust them? Trust people that destroyed his life? Trust those that don't even exist in his world? Against his own instincts, he may need to put his trust in one person above all: Azula, the last firebender.

26. Episode 6: Vulture Culture

Fire. Earth. Water. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Water Tribes attacked...

Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his bending skills are great, he is haunted by the memories of his world...

But I believe Aang can save this one.

---

Avatar: The Last Firebender

Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro

Written by Carrotine Clara

---

Book 2: Earth

Episode 6

Vulture Culture

---

Act I. – Forest Frenzy

---

Distressed knocks at the door. Shahar, putting on her night gown, finally opens it. One of her agents stands there with a lantern. Mai had been awake the whole time, but only now bothers to sit up.

SHAHAR: What?!

The agent, a girl older than both of them, seems scared.

AGENT: It's the prisoner. She... she can't breathe.

Mai and Shahar exchange concerned looks.

---

In the middle of the night, under the light of a few torches, the girls enter a cold dungeon, just in slightly better condition to serve as the prison for a princess. Rather than being shut behind a metal door, the princess was given an open space with metal bars, optional earthbending blinds to give her some privacy. And they bothered to give her a bathroom in a separate unit.

Yet, despite this relative luxury, Yue looks like she is in terrible condition, her otherwise soft black hair hanging down, looking greasy and messy. Her long and audibly concerning gasps for air serve as an excuse for proper breath. Her eyes red, she can't even really take note of the girls entering.

SHAHAR: When has this started?

AGENT: She's been like this for a few hours, we didn't know if-

This particular piece of information greatly enrages Mai.

MAI (angry): Hours?! And you only got us now?!

Mai steps closer, kneeling down and staring at the princess for a moment, then getting up again and speaking to the guard agent in an alarming tone.

MAI: Where's her inhaler?

Shahar and the agent react like they speak a foreign language.

AGENT: Her...?

MAI: A little metal thing with an open hole and herbs in it. She must've had it on her.

Shahar decides to be useful in the situation.

SHAHAR: Where did you put the prisoner's possessions?

MAI: Yue.

A brief reaction of confusion, though the nameless agent quickly decides to make a run for a storage room close by.

MAI: Don't... dehumanize her like that. Especially when she's suffering.

They turn to Yue, the girl still gasping worryingly.

MAI: She has a weak lung. Without regular treatment she's going to die a slow, painful death.

Shahar shudders at the thought, feeling embarrassment as well as deep guilt for being unaware of this.

SHAHAR: How do you know this?

MAI: My mother has it.

Brief silence underlined by Yue's short breath. The agent finally returns with a small tin object, which Mai immediately grabs out of her hand, proceeding to hold it over the flame of a torch she holds in her other hand. After briefly warming it up, she drops the torch to the stone floor, Shahar already ready with the key and opening the cell. Mai kneels down next to the girl, who sits on the mattress poorly excusing an actual bed. This is when Yue finally takes note of someone else.

MAI: Here.

She holds it up to her head, helping her to properly stabilize and inhale the herbal mixture. A few minutes pass, each breath from Yue sounding clearer and healthier. By the end of it, she lets herself sink back against the wall. Taking a few gasps on her own, feeling the dingy air filling her up with spirit again, she opens her eyes and looks at Mai with something in between gratitude and fear. Tears of joy run down her puffed cheeks.

YUE (quietly, with tears in her eyes): Thank you...

Mai shares a concerning look with Shahar, who, while happy to have saved a life, seems a bit uneasy at the sight of her friend fraternizing with the enemy.

---

Her vision seems distorted and shaky, almost as if she experienced everything through a fisheye lens. She can barely make out where she is or identify the girl in front of her. It's weird but, despite the fact that her vision is heavily impaired, she still knows that it's Mai. Of course it's Mai. Who else would be down her with her?

MAI: We have to be fast before Azula shows up.

Mai turns around. She looks much older, and her outfit consists of red and black fabrics, rather than the usual grey and black.

MAI: What are you waiting for? Ty Lee? Ty-

---

ZUKO: Ty Lee?

Her boyfriend gently strokes her shoulder, his calming voice waking Ty Lee from her slumber. Appa is meanwhile flying over a long stretch of bright green treetops. The acrobat massages her eyelids, one foot still stuck in that dream. Or was it...

AZULA: "A forest"? Are you kidding me?

Azula interrupts her train of thought by arguing with Appa's helmsman.

AANG: What am I supposed to do? I'm working based off what Fong told me!

Azula grunts in a prudish fashion, leaning against the saddle with her arms crossed. Sabachi is for once cuddling with Zuko, briefly hissing at a quiet Sokka.

AZULA: We've been scouting these woods for a whole day now. Maybe Toph went north. Huh? Ever thought about that?

ZUKO (reading the map): That would mean she's headed to the Great Divide. Maybe we should-

AANG: No.

The others share quick looks and drop the idea. Azula sighs.

AZULA: I really hate to say this, but we probably need to land and, you know, actually look on the ground? For the earthbender? Seems to be the root of the problem here...

Her angry ranting finally gives Aang an actually useful idea.

---

On the ground, Aang immediately hovers off Appa and touches grass, his eyes closed and with a focused expression.

SOKKA: Uh... okay?

The others get off the bison too, the lemur switching over to Azula's shoulder.

SOKKA: I... assume that's some Avatar thing?

Azula scoffs in the most provocative fashion possible.

AZULA Of course it is, dum-dum. What else do you think it should be?

Sokka frowns. Aang finally stands back up, an aura of disappointment surrounding him.

AANG: Nothing.

Azula gives everyone a comical look.

AZULA: Apparently so.

The Avatar turns towards his friends again.

AANG: Back when we... split, and I came looking for you, I was able to read the roots down below to see where you are.

Everyone seems more than surprised to hear about this ability.

AZULA: Oh. That... could've been useful in the past.

Aang turns his head in shame.

AANG: I... can't really tell why, but it doesn't work anymore.

He wonders if perhaps he's not spiritually open enough to perform the skill.

TY LEE: That explains why I felt your aura on Bato's ship.

SOKKA: So why can't he do it now?

AZULA: Maybe, you seem to have forgotten that the other Avatar's recently kicked him out of the club. Might be a clue...

She saunters around the soft grass. As the Dream Team takes some of their backpacks off the bison and prepare for a walk, Aang starts eyeing the forest closely. Soft and warm colors are painted onto the spring woods, sparce patches of grass covering the earth beneath them. He can't quite make it out yet, but... the forest seems somehow familiar to him. A soft breeze blows past by everyone.

AZULA: Alright, hiking tour it is.

As Aang seems still preoccupied with something, Azula takes the lead.

AZULA: This is going to be long and annoying but hey, at least it's all for a just ca-AAAAAGH!

A sudden force grabs ahold of Azula's leg, pulling her up a tree branch and letting her dangle in the air. Aang finally spots the mechanism which performed this mean rope trick. Everyone gets ready to face the ambush.

ZUKO: Water Tribe traps! We need to be caref-UUUUUGH!

Accidentally dashing into tripwire, another mechanism is activated, shooting a net at the sword fighter, while Ty Lee can dodge. It's now Aang, Ty Lee and Sokka shoulder against shoulder.

AZULA (Sabachi trying to chew through the rope): Hold on! I'm with you in a second!

Ty Lee and Sokka are finally caught in a huge net capturing them in an arch-shaped swing, Aang somehow able to avoid it. That one was apparently manually activated.

TY LEE: Aang! You have to run!

AANG: I don't think it's the Tribe.

The captured kids calm down, if only a bit. With the help of a little lemur, Azula is finally able to...

AZULA (falling to the ground): AAAAAH!

...be saved by Aang's airbending.

AZULA: Thank you.

Too distracted by this, he was unable to dodge the final attack - a rock avalanche knocking him over.

AZULA: Don't worry, I got this!

Azula immediately steps into a second rope trap.

AZULA (upside down): Never mind.

Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot fweet! Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot fweet!

Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot tot! Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot tot!

The strange whistling melody sounding through the woods immediately gets Aang's attention, letting him know right away who they are up against.

A mere two seconds later, a band of young fighters surrounds them, plunging down from the trees like a pack of chimps on an elaborate hunt. One familiar face after the other corners either Zuko or Ty Lee/Sokka, Aang trying to keep up his best poker face.

Before Sabachi is done saving her master again, a quick swipe from a hook sword frees Azula from the trap, a strong arm grabbing her before she can fall to her death (again). She looks up awkwardly, spotting a long-haired bad boy chewing on a wheat straw and casually dangling off the tree with his other hook sword.

JET: Hey.

Azula blushes ever so slightly.

AZULA: Hey. Um... mind helping me down?

He nods with a confident smirk. This is when Azula notices that his hook swords are linked up to an odd contraption hanging on the back of his waist. From it shoots a quick rope with a sharp end, piercing into a nearby try and allowing the two of them to swing down casually, before retracting the rope back into the spool. Appa growls at a comically large boy holding a tree trunk for a club.

JET: If I wouldn't know any better, I'd say I'm looking at an airbender right now.

Aang keeps a straight face, the memory of Jet muddled with both his initial atrocity as well as his sacrifice. He was the first friend their age that died fighting this war. And likely not the last...

Azula is meanwhile allowed to walk freely again.

AZULA: Not just any old airbender - the Avatar. So I'd suggest to let our friends go now.

Jet scoffs, turning the wheat straw in his mouth as if it were a cigarette.

JET: I didn't know the Avatar was friends with Water Tribe scum.

He points towards the scared-looking prince, the all-too-familiar Smellerbee holding a knife up to his throat.

SMELLERBEE: If I didn't know any better, I'd say this is the Crown Prince.

AANG: Don't hurt him.

With all eyes on the Aang, he is forced to come up with a quick and effective negotiation strategy.

AANG: He's our... prisoner. He agreed to come along with us.

Few things hurt as much as hearing Aang, the reason for Sokka's betrayal, calling him a prisoner rather a friend. Ty Lee, squeezed next to him in the net, can clearly feel his pain. Jet scoffs.

JET: Fine. We won't kill him.

The leader nods to a nearby tree, where a figure Aang can't make out pulls a few levers, freeing Zuko and lowering the net.

AZULA: Not to be the distracting force here, but... who are you exactly?

Jet smirks, giving her quite a charismatic gaze which Azula didn't expect to like this much.

JET: My name is Jet, and these are my comrades - Sneers, Longshot, Smellerbee, The Duke, and Pipsqueak. We're the Vulture Clan.

Every respective member of the troop nods. They all mostly look the same and wear the same clothes, although Aang does take note of the many more shades of green present in their costumes.

A strange rumbling behind them forces Aang to turn around.

JET: Oh, and Bandit of course.

Aang's heart skips a beat or two.

As the avalanche comes to a hold and the stern girl in green stops, he can finally make out what he found so odd about her illustration on Fong's poster.

Toph looks at him with blueish-grey eyes. Eyes that closely inspect the airbender boy. Eyes that are looking at him, reacting with shock as he intensely stares back at her.

BANDIT: What are you looking at?

---

In the two weeks since saving her life, Mai has made some progress in getting Yue's prison cell better furnished. The Earth King still hasn't heard from the North Pole about a possible prisoner exchange, Yue's main thing that made her get up in the morning. Her Princess Squad uniform has long been replaced by a very modest lump of a kimono, a much more comfortable attire. Yet still, it is a prison uniform. She can't ignore that.

Mai distracts her from reading a novel, one of the many gifts the assassin provides.

MAI: How are you doing?

Yue lowers her book. She tries to act with a hint of apathy towards anyone speaking to her, yet she has warmed up to Mai somewhat.

YUE: Good. The extra blanket I requested is a bit too short, but it serves more than satisfactory.

Mai ponders. Her attempts to appear as sympathetic are unfortunately filtered as they pass through the metal bars that separate the two.

MAI: The... guards have told me that you refused some of your rations.

A hint of a pout forms on Yue's face.

YUE: Only twice a week. It's for religious purposes. To appease the Northern Spirits.

She looks back into her book. Mai tries her best to balance a poker face with her humanitarian side.

MAI: There's only so much I can do to help you, Yue. This basement is a constant potential trigger for your condition. If you could give up some intel-

YUE: The problem with your "help" is that it constitutes an "if" at the beginning. I know where my loyalties lie, and you know where yours are.

The sharp comment infests Mai with an appropriate level of spite, though Yue does try to go the middle route.

YUE: I understand that you're trying to be nice. But your position means that any help is just a means to keep me better in line, rather than benevolence.

Mai thinks hard and long about that, briefly averting her face from the prisoner.

MAI: If I gave you reassurances... would you then cooperate?

Yue remains stern.

YUE: I don't trust you. I have no reason to trust, other than the gifts that are meant to make more agreeable.

Briefly, her facade melts.

YUE: I'm sorry, but how can I trust someone on the other side of that bar?

MAI: I'm Mai.

Yue frowns, confused at the interjection, which is as sharp as the assassins' main weapons.

MAI: I know it's not the ultimate solution. But... it's a start.

Yue nods, giving at least this concession.

YUE: Well, nice to finally hear a name attached to that face. You already know mine.

Mai gives off the hint of a frown, folding her hands.

YUE: Where are you from, Mai?

MAI: Crescent Island.

Yue nods.

YUE: I know where that is. Your people are holding out against us, right?

For a brief moment the line of victim and perpetrator blurs.

MAI: I will talk to Shahar, Tamao - maybe the King if I need to. But I'll try my best to help. Actually help.

To her surprise, Yue scoffs.

YUE: It is more of a semantic argument about what does and doesn't constitute actual help. But I appreciate to see you trying.

She goes back to reading her book, Mai exiting the basement with an odd feeling boiling inside her.

---

It seems Aang is clearly flashed by the sight of Toph, though Azula can't make out what's bothering him. At least they finally found her after two weeks of almost non-stop flying. As the others get back up on their feet and watch as a harmless Sokka gets tied up once again, Azula tries to get some information out of the smug fighter, who's leaning casually against a tree.

AZULA: Is it really necessary to constrain him like that? You can take my word for it when I say he's not much of a danger.

Jet briefly takes the wheat straw out of his mouth, once again imitating the motion of a smoker.

JET: You guys wanted to see our hideout, and I can't let him in there in good conscience. We have lots of other kids there, they wouldn't like seeing a waterbender roam free like that.

AZULA: I guess. Except he's not even a waterbender.

Jet shrugs, chewing on his straw again while trying to impress Azula with his towering height, which... does work a little. She still keeps her arms crossed to signal the opposite.

JET: Tomato, tomahto. Either way he has to look non-threatening. Which makes him the polar opposite of you.

His charmful smirk gives her a blush again, a feeling which she fights will all of her strength.

AZULA: I guess. Didn't look very menacing when I got caught in your little traps back there.

He shrugs yet again. Agni, does he look handsome when he doesn't care.

JET: You looked pretty menacing, still. I haven't met many Fire Nation girls. Are all of you this brave?

She scoffs, trying to play it cool.

AZULA: Yeah, the ones I've met are. Although not all Fire Nation girls can do this...

She nonchalantly bends her wrist and creates a blue flame, a spectacle which even impresses the other Vulture Clan members, or Vultures for short. With a second flick, the flame disappears.

JET: A firebender? And not just that, but blue flames?

He gives her an earnest smile as he briefly touches her shoulder.

JET: Call me impressed.

Her blush becomes more apparent, and she averts her face.

AZULA: I guess...

She clears her throat.

AZULA: Anyways, this is Aang, my brother Zuko, Ty Lee and Sokka.

The prince briefly glares at her, apparently being rather aggravated by his repeated imprisonment.

JET: And you are?

His voice is silky-smooth, with her trying to ignore the tingling sensation she feels on her neck.

AZULA: Azula.

He nods.

JET: Nice to meet you.

---

A bit removed from these two scenes, Aang returns from his short voyage, having "parked" Appa a bit removed from everyone, hidden in an especially large treetop.

He can't tell if the Jet situation will develop in the same fashion as it did last time. He assumes so but is forced to play along for the time being.

BANDIT: Hey there, twinkletoes.

Suppressing more of his emotions yet again, Aang turns to Toph. In a stark contrast to his own world, this Toph is wearing dark clothing more akin to someone who grew up on the streets, wearing additional shoulder and knee pads like the other warriors. This version is also rocking a set of sturdy-looking boots, which confuses him even more. Her hair is messy and lacks any styling, though much shorter to make up for it. She eyes him up and down as she waits for his reaction.

BANDIT: I wanted to apologize for knocking you over earlier. It's a standard precaution in these woods...

He nods with a cheesy smile.

AANG: No problem, Toph.

Now she's the one who looks like something inside shattered, Aang realizing quickly what his mistake was.

BANDIT (nervous): What... did you...

Aang improvises.

AANG: Uh... I said tough. As in... your bending. Felt pretty tough back there. Tough and... stuff.

She nods unconvincingly.

BANDIT: Yeah, right. I'm a bit of a pro at earthbending.

Aang scratches the back of his head.

AANG: Really? Cause I'm currently looking for an earthbending teacher. Being the Avatar and all.

She's thrown off her feet even more. Aang finds her emoting and facial expressions so uniquely interesting to observe, as his Toph would not incorporate her eyes as much, her head mostly staying in a static position.

BANDIT: Oh. Well, I'm already a Vulture so... I'm kind of swamped at the moment. I hope you didn't come here all this way just for that.

He chuckles inauthentically.

AANG (trying to sound sarcastic): You bet...

Coming to his rescue, Jet steps into the center of the meadow, a very quiet-looking Azula in tow. Aang has a strange deja vous reaction to seeing Azula like this, similar to the time when they saved Haru.

JET: Alright, you guys ready to see our hideout?

Not a lot of enthusiasm from anyone but Aang and Azula.

AANG: Uh... sure, yeah-

AZULA: Yes, we would very much like to.

A quick (slightly awkward) glance from the firebender, and what follows is a series of ropes lowered to their height.

TY LEE: Wait, is your hideout-

JET: In the trees? Obviously.

He hands one of the loops over to Zuko, allowing him to be pulled up with much more force and speed than the boy expected. Next up is Smellerbee with Sokka.

JET: Make sure you tie him to a pole. And keep any sharp objects out of his grasp.

The two Vultures share a very odd look, which uneases the acrobat.

TY LEE (to Sokka): We'll see you later-

The two get pulled up before she can finish. Not that the prince even looked at her. Jet hands a loop over to her next.

TY LEE: Oh, thank you. But I think I'll do it my way.

She spins and swirls from trunk to branch, Aang following her shortly after, the lemur soaring after them as well.

JET: Would you like to share one, Azula?

She crosses her arms, trying to play it cool once again.

AZULA: Sure. If you insist.

Azula blushes as she takes his hand, and they rise up through the tree together in a romantic setting. Time slows down and the colors of the woodwork seem to take on a shade of pink.

Finally reaching the top, they let go over a circular wooden platform surrounding a tree. There are in fact a couple dozen of those platforms, all equipped with tarps and tents, suspension bridges placed as if via needle threat. Azula briefly frowns at one of them.

AZULA (under her breath): As long as there's no singing nomads this time...

Ty Lee, Zuko and Aang are also there, with The Duke and Sneers walking ahead. Bandit, Pipsqueak and Longshot decide to stay close for now.

Another familiar face also rushes towards them.

TEO: The manual landing net worked this time, Jet! I can start making some more of them!

The surprises keep coming - Azula, Zuko and Ty Lee have in the meantime developed the ability to tell whenever Aang encounters someone familiar. They're not exactly in a position to discuss it in private either, so it's more than useful so high above the ground. It also takes Aang a few seconds to be baffled by the sight of a walking Teo. His clothes also look a lot more rugged, though his longer hair, the top knot and his lively spirit still exist.

JET: I told you it would work. Though not on the right target, unfortunately. Here...

He unbuckles the strange device hanging from his waist, unplugging the rope ends from his hook swords before he puts them back on his person.

JET: Would you mind taking a look at this in the shop? The right one jammed again earlier.

Teo nods with excitement.

TEO: Will do! Hey, who are these guys?

AZULA: The Avatar and the Terror Team.

Wanting to scare the boy, he reacts much the opposite.

TEO: Wow! Love to meet ya!

He ziplines away with a handle close by. The group starts walking, Aang catching a brief look from Toph. Or, well, Bandit. Can't afford to make a mistake like that again.

AZULA: I got to say, your whole setup here is pretty cool...

JET: It's cool, and more importantly, our enemies can't find us up here.

BANDIT: Oh, they would love to get their grubby little hands on you Jet, huh?

Aang smiles at her familiar way of speaking without fear of being judged poorly.

JET: It's not gonna happen, Bandit.

AZULA: I'll take a guess at who you're talking about then.

He smirks.

JET: There's a town nearby with a military outpost named Titan.

PIPSQUEAK: We've been ambushing their troops, cutting off their supply lines, and doing anything we can to really mess 'em up.

Bandit looks somehow displeased at this.

JET: One day, we'll liberate that town for good.

AZULA: That's so brave.

Comedic silence.

AZULA: What? Just my opinion...

TY LEE: So you all live here?

JET: That's right. Longshot over there? His town got flooded by waterbenders. And we found Bandit as a small child after Gaoling was captured. Everyone in that town but her was massacred.

Horrific information that brings Aang to his limits.

AANG: I'm... so sorry to hear that.

He tries to make it sound like he addressed everyone.

BANDIT: Thanks

PIPSQUEAK: Thank you.

LONGSHOT: ...

AZULA: What about you?

The convoy stops, with Jet and Azula at the very front.

JET: The Water Tribe killed my parents. I was only eight years old. That day changed me forever.

Azula dares to hop a little closer, gently touching his shoulder.

AZULA: Zuko and I lost our mother to the Water Tribe.

He turns to everyone.

JET: I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm sure it can't be easy.

A moment of silence, in which Aang can once again take note of Toph's curious stare from the corner of his eye.

---

A small dinner later and each member of the Dream Team was given its own tent, although Ty Lee and Zuko were more than happy to share one. Still, the quartet didn't feel comfortable enough to really talk about Jet and these new Vultures that made the Avatar raise an eyebrow. Aang was hoping that the occasional glance and aura reading from Ty Lee would give his friends enough of an idea to keep their guard up. For now, their hands were tied, and they had to remain until the whole Toph situation was resolved. Or, Bandit situation. Aang still isn't sure what to think of any of it.

He also started worrying about Sokka. He didn't know exactly where the Vultures took him, and he wasn't exactly keen on trying to figure it out in the middle of the night. Especially when he had a different priority.

One last air spin and he finally landed on the right circular platform, a green tent ahead of him. He hasn't exactly come up with a plan yet, deciding on the spot that he should probably ask about earthbending for now. He was hoping to convince his old friend to join him eventually, yet all of that hinged on whether or not Jet-

Being so distracted in his thoughts, he takes note of the figure too late, one which clamps something on his wrists and pushes him inside the tent. Turning around, he walks straight into a pile of pebbles, which solidify his ankles as well. Bandit flicks her wrist as to prevent him from falling over.

BANDIT (cold): Hey.

In a decently comical capacity, he tries looking casual.

AANG: Oh hey, Bandit. Didn't see you there. Have you... thought about practicing earthbending together?

He smiles like an idiot. Bandit, crossing her arms, is little impressed.

BANDIT: Cut the chit-chat, twinkletoes. You know exactly what I'm going to ask you.

His comedic note fades away and he gulps with fearful anticipation.

BANDIT: How do you know my name?

---

Act II. – Treetop Job

---

Several different paths rush through Aang's head, a plethora of excuses and strategies to get out of this situation. He has started to grow tired of telling people the whole story, happy whenever his friends would step in and help out.

It seems none of these ideas will come to fruition regardless.

BANDIT: I said, how do you know my name?

Her squeaky yet harsh tone quickly crumbles all of Aang's facades. He was hoping to tell her the truth at some other point. The whole "other world" thing is almost always too much to handle. But what other choice does he have?

Bandit is meanwhile sharply eyeing the dangling boy.

BANDIT: No one knows my old name - no one! Not even Jet. The last time someone called me Toph was-

The rant gets stuck somewhere in her throat, her anger briefly morphing into profound sadness. She turns her back and Aang finally decides to say something.

AANG: Back before the Tribe attacked your home. Right?

A short build-up later and Bandit frowns at him again.

AANG: I can't imagine what you must've gone through...

A layer of her facade is also peeled, but she mostly tries to remain coming off as stubborn.

BANDIT: There's two options here, Aang. Either you're really the Avatar and there's some... spiritual... enlightened explanation for why you went to look for me, or you're a spy from the Water Tribe.

AANG: So... if I can prove that I'm the Avatar, you'll trust me?

She flares her nostrils, her arms already crossed.

BANDIT: A tiny, tiny bit.

AANG: Okay.

With a casual shrug and a crude earthbending gesture he manages to break apart the rock shackles holding his arms up, then subsequently manages to crumble off the chunks off his feet.

BANDIT: Your form is terrible.

Aang smirks.

AANG: Yeah, I'm not that great at earthbending yet.

He creates a small flame in his hand, a similar technique to what Azula showcased earlier. Bandit nods calmly, the bright, red flame reflecting in her pupils. After extinguishing the fire with another flick, those pupils focus back onto Aang.

BANDIT: Why do you always look at me like that?

He averts his gaze, scratching the back of his head. She expresses an ounce of embarrassment in a short blush.

BANDIT: I bet your constant googly eyes and the fact that you know my name is connected, huh twinkletoes?

He sits down on her bead, which is literally just a blanket on the wooden floor. To Bandit's surprise, and the final nail in the coffin that breaks her facade, she uncrosses her arms at the sight of Aang losing some tears. She places herself down next to him, her legs crossed and with an empathetic frown, a bit overwhelmed and unsure what to do.

AANG (quietly): I'm sorry...

He wipes off his tears, trying to get back to a more focused state.

BANDIT: It's something big then, I guess.

He nods.

AANG: It's just... you have very pretty eyes.

She blushes again, something Aang wasn't trying to get her to do. He clears his throat and starts from the beginning...

---

In their own private two-person tent, Zuko and Ty Lee are in the midst of an intense make-out session. As Zuko starts getting bit more... touchy, he suddenly stops, looking down at his girlfriend below.

ZUKO: Are you alright?

She lets out a heavy sigh.

TY LEE: I'm fine, it's nothing you did.

He gets off of her and the two sit quietly next to each other on their sleeping matt. Ty Lee's hair is not tied together in a complicated pattern for once. Zuko's, usually kept relatively short, has started to grow a little longer now.

ZUKO: Do you want to talk about it?

She strokes her arm, allowing her cloudy mind to quiet down a bit.

ZUKO: If it's the Jet thing, then I agree with you. There's definitely something weird going on, I saw Aang's expressions too. I just hope he can-

TY LEE: It's not that.

He tries thinking a little harder.

ZUKO: Is it the visions again?

She nods softly, simultaneously expressing her guilt. He strokes his chin.

ZUKO: Do you think your dreams are connected to your weird thing where you knock people out?

TY LEE: It's called chi blocking.

His pupils dilate.

ZUKO: How do you know?

She leans against his shoulder and chest, her right ear able to listen in on the sound of his heart.

TY LEE: I don't think they're dreams, Zuko. I think... I think I might have a connection with her.

ZUKO: With who?

She looks up at him as he correctly guesses the answer.

TY LEE: The other Ty Lee. Remember when we asked Aang a bunch of questions in Dibuang?

ZUKO: Yeah. Apparently me and Uncle Iroh ran a tea shop for a while...

He's briefly distracted by the thought.

ZUKO: That would be nice...

TY LEE: Well...

His focus shifts back to being serious.

TY LEE: Me and Mai were apparently Azula's lackeys for a bit. And... he said I wasn't an airbender, but a... chi blocker.

ZUKO: So you... punch peoples chi and... block their flow?

He scoffs.

ZUKO: That does seem pretty useful.

She sits back up straight.

TY LEE: I must have some kind of connection with her. It was only ever brief, and it allowed me to use her abilities.

Zuko ponders a little longer, before finally having the right idea.

ZUKO: It's only in your dreams and during emotional distress, right? Like when you fought those waterbenders.

TY LEE: Or when I saw how much the Air Nomads had to change in the Earth Kingdom.

ZUKO: Yeah. Well... both of those kind of sound... important. Maybe even a little spiritual. Perhaps you can try to reach out to her-

TY LEE: When I meditate!

Her face changes to a bright and jolly expression again.

ZUKO: I was going to suggest taking more naps, but I guess meditation is also right.

She gives him a fat smooch on the lips.

TY LEE: You're a genius.

Overwhelmed with joy and hormones, the make-out session continues, only briefly interrupted by Zuko.

ZUKO: Oh, I almost forgot - you wanted me to remind you about something.

They kiss for a bit longer when Ty Lee finally jolts up like a comical lightning bolt.

TY LEE: Sokka!

---

A fifth person wasn't able to find sleep so early that night. Azula couldn't resist from making up theories about what exactly Aang recognized in their little forest adventure. It couldn't be just this Toph girl. It must be something else. Perhaps... Katara... was that her name? Yes, Katara, Sokka's sister... perhaps she also found Jet... interesting. Maybe she was doing the polar opposite. Regardless, she couldn't let go the idea that there was more to him, a mysterious flavor she couldn't make out.

And there was someone else who shared that opinion.

Go find him...

She shakes her head, clamping her arms together like a provoked pufferfish.

AZULA (whispering): Screw you. I've got other priorities.

Oh, the airbender boy? Do you really think he's going to fall for you? You? The monster from his world?

Azula takes a nervous breath. The horrors of Fire Lord Azula enough to fuel her nightmares, much like the Blue Dragon had.

He takes you for a fool! He should've listened to you! Staying in Ba Sing Se is much more important than this Toph girl...

AZULA (whispering): I agree, but it's important to him-

Oh, yes - of course! Who would ever disagree with the Avatar? You certainly wouldn't. Docile little house cat...

The Blue Dragon starts getting under her skin.

AZULA (whispering): Shut up! You don't know me...

Oh, but I do. Better than you think...

She tries distracting herself by looking away. It's here when she spots Jet's silhouette climbing to the top of a nearby tree.

Forget about Aang. Get him...

Azula takes a breather.

AZULA (whispering): For the record, going after him is my decision.

Of course...

---

She finally climbs to the top, nervously overlooking the vastness of the forest in the beautiful moonlight.

JET: Don't fall.

A short spasm takes over.

AZULA: I wasn't going to fall!

He scoffs, spinning his wheat straw.

JET: Of course. Wanna join me?

She shrugs, sitting down next to him on an especially thick branch hidden under leaflets. He just... sits there, quietly admiring the stars.

JET: Have you guys thought about staying for a bit?

She pops her eyebrows.

AZULA: Well, at least for a second night I presume. Aang is really keen on getting... Bandit to be his earthbending teacher.

She almost slipped out saying Toph but corrected herself last second.

JET: Why? Aren't there plenty of earthbenders elsewhere?

She shrugs. The Blue Dragon is quiet for now, but she... kind of agrees with it.

AZULA: Whatever. Avatar thing. He put it to his mind, and we're stuck here for now.

Jet nods.

JET: Sounds like the Avatar is the one calling all the shots in your little gang.

She shrugs, crossing her arms and averting her grumpy expression.

AZULA: Whatever...

After a bit she too admires the sparkling firmament.

AZULA: Do you come out here often?

He gives her a very smooth smile and she finally allows herself to blush in front of him.

JET: Yeah. Every night.

She pictures herself living such a life. Free from cities and rules. Responsibilities and missions. A life after winning the war perhaps. After Aang leaves her?

AZULA: How do you live like this? Out in the wild, all by yourself. Aren't you scared?

Jet scoffs, taking the wheat straw out of his mouth like a cigarette.

JET: Scared of what?

She shrugs casually.

AZULA: I don't know. The war? The Water Tribe?

He puts it back in, giving her a pretty serious stare, though not coming off as cold.

JET: I was scared for a long time. Being all by yourself can be pretty hard. But... I realized... freedom isn't something that anyone can give you, it's something you have to fight for.

For a brief moment his tone shifts to being eerily serious.

JET (cold): And sometimes it has a great price.

For some reason Azula isn't turned off by this, quite the opposite. Her heart starts beating faster and any thought of the handsome bald monk briefly turns to ash.

AZULA: What's your secret?

He smiles. His eyes tightly locked onto hers.

JET: My secret? No shame. You can't truly be free without letting go of shame.

Both blush now, she does a little harder.

AZULA: So... no shame...

Her face moves in a little closer.

JET: Yeah. Just... do whatever you want and...

He leans in quicker and initiates the kiss, grabbing her neck alongside it. They both close their eyes, allowing themselves to just enjoy the moment, the stars shining brightly above their heads.

---

After a... period of time but still the same night, Ty Lee and Zuko manage to find the right path to Sokka's prison tent, which is located on the relative outskirts of the hideout, not too far from where Appa was parked by Aang. Once arriving on the platform via airbending and zipline, the two are immediately met with an aimed arrow and a drawn knife.

SMELLERBEE: What are you doing here?

Not surprised but still shocked about the apparent hostility, Ty Lee and Zuko try to come off as innocent as possible.

ZUKO: We were just hoping to talk to... the prisoner.

TY LEE: Aren't we guests of Jet?

Her slightly sharper tone does give off a strange impression to the tomboy with warpaint on her face.

SMELLERBEE: Yeah, but he also told us to let no one in, so-

A soft hand grabs onto her shoulder. She looks over to Longshot, who has put away his weapon.

LONGSHOT: ...

SMELLERBEE: You're right. We can trust them not to let him escape.

She puts the knife back on her belt and gestures them to enter.

SMELLERBEE: Don't take too long though. It's already pretty late, y'know.

The lovers, in comedic fashion, blush and scratch their heads.

TY LEE: What? I didn't even notice...

ZUKO: It can't be that late...

Not a single reaction later the two enter.

Sokka doesn't even bother to look up, being tied crudely to a pole on the center of the tent, his boomerang hanging on Smellerbee's belt.

TY LEE (quietly): Hey... Sokka...

ZUKO (quietly): Is he asleep?

SOKKA: No, I'm not.

He sounds defeated and spiteful, his raspy voice only supported further by a concerning cough.

ZUKO: Are you okay?

TY LEE: Have they been giving you water?

He finally looks up at them, an angry expression deeply unnerving both their reaction as well as the acrobat's aura reading.

SOKKA: What do you care? You didn't stop them from taking me as a prisoner. Again.

He averts his face. Ty Lee and Zuko share a concerned look.

TY LEE: We had no choice, Sokka.

SOKKA: Of course you did. You always have a choice.

His stern demeanor briefly loosens up, revealing a sorrowful frown.

SOKKA: I made that choice when I betrayed my nation and joined the Avatar. But where is Aang now, huh? Chasing after ghosts while I'm stuck here? How many more prisons am I going to be put in before any of you finally stand up for me?

Zuko sighs, massaging his temple with the palm of his hand. Sokka's expression switches back to one of anger.

TY LEE: Sokka I'm... I'm so sorry...

SOKKA: Don't be sorry. This is war, right?

Her reaction showcases a deep sense of regret.

ZUKO: We'll talk to Aang. I promise-

SOKKA: Don't. Just leave me. I want to be alone.

TY LEE: But-

SOKKA: Leave!

With much hesitation and guilt, the lovers finally depart, leaving Sokka to rethink his choices on his own.

---

Early morning routine. Mai nervously listens to the sounds of her roommate brushing her teeth over the sink, herself leaning over the small balcony of their luxurious apartment inside the palace. She had been strategizing what the best choice of words would be to convince Shahar. A spitting noise, the sound of water flushing. The agent finally exits the shared bathroom.

SHAHAR: Thinking about Yue again?

Welp, that helps it.

MAI: You make it sound like I have a crush on her or something.

Shahar shrugs, joining her on the balcony, though preferring to lean against the door frame.

SHAHAR: You know perfectly well that out of all people, I would judge you the least for that.

She finally steps outside, taking out her stuffed tobacco pipe and igniting it with a flintstone. It's not technically legal for someone her age to do it, but de facto allowed as the smoking population of Ba Sing Se is larger than most would expect.

MAI: Whatever happened to that girl with the tea shop we saved?

Shahar scoffs, clearly a bit uncomfortable to talk about it.

SHAHAR: Well... we did go on a few dates but that's it. We didn't really connect that much.

She sighs, a cloud of smoke exhaling her lungs.

SHAHAR: Too much work anyways.

Mai, having crossed her arms, nods.

SHAHAR: I know that you share sympathies for this Yue girl, and I completely own the mistake we've made regarding her condition. But you know what I'm going to say...

She can't finish her sentence, as Mai already escapes back inside, coming off as a little grumpy.

MAI: "Enemy combatant" my ass. She's your age. She probably knows next to nothing, regardless.

Shahar follows her inside, not before taking another zip from her pipe.

SHAHAR: We can't know until she admits that though.

Mai stops, sighs, then turns around, still expressing her determination. Now Shahar sighs as well.

SHAHAR: This isn't like with Sokka, okay? Not only did he know absolutely nothing, he vehemently expressed how much he disliked the Water Tribe. How he distanced himself from it. Show me that from her and we can talk about better living arrangements.

MAI: So the only way we treat her like a human is if she betrays her own people?

Shahar shrugs with her entire body, wanting to respond with a Yes.

SHAHAR: If you have any issues with our treatment of prisoners, you'll have to take it up with the Earth King. Until then, she'll remain here for a while.

Mai, initially angry, does pick up on one detail in the response.

MAI: A while? What does that mean?

Shahar clearly takes her time to consider sharing that information. Another zip and she should have the nerves to spill it.

SHAHAR: This is... still confidential, but Madame Tamao told me. We got a response from the North Pole. We think it's probably not from the High Chief himself, though.

MAI: Because?

SHAHAR: Because he refused negotiations. He won't be exchanging anyone for her freedom.

Mai is horrified to hear this, keeping her usual poker face with like... 5% shock expressed.

MAI: His own daughter?

Shahar nods. This is when Mai finally turns around again.

MAI: Even more of a reason to consider her a bystander. Not even important enough to exchange her.

She closes the door and shuts it. She was already in gear, whereas Shahar still has to put on her kimono and enough perfume to distract from the smell of the tobacco pipe.

---

The next day shows to be just as beautiful, though a lot windier. Zuko, Jet and Azula are all hidden on the same tree branch, overlooking a dirt road below. Jet signals the other Vultures to stay ready.

Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot fweet! Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot fweet!

After a few seconds he gets a response from Smellerbee, also in the form of a bird whistle.

Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot tot! Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot tot!

They all talk a bit quieter, as not to draw any unnecessary attention.

ZUKO: Thanks for allowing Bandit to train with Aang.

He shares a quick look with Azula, wanting to read her reaction. She only rolls her eyes.

JET: Not my decision, it was her choice. But I guess you can't say no to helping the Avatar.

She also seems displeased at that.

JET: What about Ty Lee?

Azula interjects before Zuko can answer the question directed at him.

AZULA: She's not really the scouting type. I doubt she would even have been interested.

Zuko of course knows where Ty Lee really is, though the official excuse was that she would look after Appa. In reality, only the lemur is with her.

JET: Can't say the same about you, Azula.

The firebender... giggles. And blushes. Clearly uncomfortable and mistrusting, Zuko opts to jam one of his swords into the tree.

JET: What are you doing?

Zuko shushes him, putting his ear to the hilt.

ZUKO: It amplifies vibrations.

Jet is impressed, Azula not.

JET: Good trick.

AZULA: Oh, like you were some big-shot hunter-

Zuko shushes her again.

ZUKO: Someone's approaching. Or... something...

AZULA: Something?

ZUKO: Probably a mount. It's just one, though.

JET: Good work, Zuko. Ready your weapon.

Jet draws his hook swords, the rope device back on his... back. Azula aims her finger at the road. Zuko, reading himself as well, spots a lone rider on an ostrich horse. He raises an eyebrow.

ZUKO: Wait... that's probably Earth Kingdom-

Jet ignores him, leaping from the tree with the help of Teo's impressive machine, Azula jumping right after him. They scare the hell out of the animal, the rider on it wearing rather plain, brown clothing. Wanting to turn around and escape, Azula cuts his path off by setting it ablaze. The ostrich horse, screeching with fear, knocks its rider off and escapes into the woods.

JET (cold): What are you doing here you leech?

The man gets back up. At closer inspection, Azula realizes just how young he is. Probably not much older than Zuko.

MESSENGER: Please, I'm just a messenger.

He tries making a run for it, smacking face-first into Pipsqueak's gut, falling back down on his feet. Smellerbee appears next, her blade drawn with an intimidating frown.

JET: Do you like destroying towns? Do you like destroying families? Do you?

Even Azula finds this a little much but holds firm still.

MESSENGER: Oh... please let me go... have mercy...

Jet prepares for a kick, his foot getting caught by Zuko, his own blades put back in his sheath.

ZUKO: Jet, he's just a kid!

JET: He's a military messenger. Search him!

Pipsqueak and Smellerbee dig through his belongings as Jet angrily turns to Zuko. Azula remains on the sidelines, watching everything unfold with calculating eyes.

JET: He might be a Water Tribe spy, Zuko. Have you forgotten that the Water Tribe killed your mother? Remember why you fight!

Jet looks over to Azula, expecting a reassuring nod, but getting a blank reaction instead.

SMELLERBEE: We found this!

She holds up a bag and a few scrolls.

ZUKO: This doesn't feel right.

JET: It's what has to be done, now let's get outta here.

They all make a run for it, Zuko remaining a few seconds to stare at the defenseless boy. Azula finally grabs his arm.

AZULA: Come on, Zuko.

---

Aang and Bandit walk quite a while before arriving at a small quarry-like formation. Probably a dried-out riverbed. The perfect place to practice some earthbending.

BANDIT: So... sorry if this is the fifth time I'm asking but... I was blind but I could see?

AANG: With earthbending, yes.

He gifts a smile, she only pouts.

BANDIT: Bonkers. The whole thing is just complete bonkers!

He giggles, sitting down on a rock.

BANDIT: No wonder you were acting like such a sissy when you saw me. For a second, I thought you had a crush on me.

Aang scratches the back of his head. Bandit scoffs.

BANDIT: It's kind of sweet that you would travel this far just to see your old friend.

Aang smiles again.

BANDIT: But also stupid.

His smile disappears.

AANG: Wait, why?

She stops into the ground, shaking the earth and breaking his convenient seating option.

BANDIT: Because I am not Toph! Get it in your pea brain before I turn it to mush!

She emphasizes the gesture via tapping on his head. Aang feels a range of emotion, mostly a familiar sense of tough love he is used from his Toph. Or... just Toph. This is Bandit, apparently.

AANG: I don't mean to disrespect you.

He hovers himself upright and on his knees. The stubborn girl takes a liking to it.

AANG: I can't possibly explain why you are this important to me, or why it is this important to me for you to be my earthbending teacher.

BANDIT: You don't have to, I get it.

She turns around to him.

BANDIT: What you are seeking is someone to remind you of your home, give you some kind of semblance of normalcy while you're stuck in this world. I'm like a cheap bandage that you're slapping over a giant, gaping wound.

He lets those words sink in. It hurts especially much because, despite not being blind or a rich daughter, virtually everything about her is still... Toph.

AANG: So, you... won't be my earthbending teacher?

Bandit grunts, breaking a sloppy chunk of earth from the side and tossing it at him, though he successfully dodges.

BANDIT: You are such a knucklehead! I just gave you this whole speech and all you care about whether or not I want to toss rocks around with you!

She sighs.

BANDIT: You are the perfect candidate to learn earthbending. You're even more stubborn than me.

Aang smiles, though it quickly morphs into guilt. He has become more stubborn, long before being catapulted into this distorted reality.

BANDIT: But I can't leave the Vulture Clan. I can't leave Jet. They found me as a small child, took me in. They're... they're family...

She turns her head away.

AANG: It's okay. We'll stay as long as I need to.

Not even for a second does he consider the potential consequences of this. Not Sokka, not Jet. He wonders if he should. Yet that thought quickly disappears as...

BANDIT: Fine. We'll see how long you last.

She turns around with a cheeky smile.

BANDIT: Show me how well you can toss rocks, twinkletoes.

---

Jet is sitting on a hammock-bed, the others stand. His tent doesn't look that much more luxurious than the others, so thinks Azula at least.

ZUKO: You can't just go around and beat up everyone who crosses the forest!

JET: We don't. Just the ones that are suspicious.

Zuko grunts in typical frustrated-Zuko-fashion.

ZUKO: How could you tell?! He was clearly Earth Kingdom! They're the only ones who still use ostrich horse messengers!

Azula raises her brow at her brother's wit.

JET (to Azula): Can you help me out here?

She sighs, stepping forward, as she was previously leaning against the tree trunk.

AZULA: Do you have any prove that he was Water Tribe?

JET: The scrolls Smellerbee took from him. They were Water Tribe intel.

ZUKO: The Water Tribe uses messenger puffins! Cute little birds!

JET: Then why did he have them?

Both boys clearly aggravated, she steps in between.

AZULA: Okay, why don't we all relax for a moment?

Zuko grunts again, crossing his arms.

ZUKO: Not a chance we're staying here for another second! I'll talk to Aang-

JET: You can't leave now - we need you more than ever!

He sounds a little more desperate, though Azula raises her brow in suspicion.

JET: One of the messages was meant for Titan outpost, the one occupying a local village. They plan to use the water in the dam to flood the entire valley.

Zuko shares a concerned look.

JET: Without you and the Avatar... this whole forest might be destroyed.

He looks at Azula specifically with puppy eyes.

JET: Azula... please...

She sighs.

AZULA: Why don't you step outside for a moment? I'll talk some sense into my brother.

Zuko frowns and Jet smiles, sauntering outside and letting them talk inside the tent alone.

ZUKO: Azula, why would you-

She holds her finger up to her lips, signaling him to lower their volume.

AZULA: There's clearly something wrong here. This whole flooding-story? I call bullshit.

His pupils dilate with surprise and excitement.

AZULA: Are the others safe?

ZUKO: Aang is still out with Bandit, Ty Lee is trying to... figure out something.

Azula raises yet another eyebrow.

AZULA: Okay? Good for her. What about Sokka?

The swordfighter is more than just a little surprised to hear the prince being considered. Azula scoffs.

AZULA: What? He's still our prisoner.

ZUKO: He's not too happy about being that. Again.

AZULA: Yeah, I wouldn't be either.

She waves aside the concern, literally.

AZULA: One more reason to get out of here. I'm sick of Aang's little quest anyways.

She ponders for a moment, Zuko still surprised to see her react like this after all the... blushes she got from Jet.

AZULA: Still... this sudden urgency to keep us here and the whole flooding-story... clearly, they have something planned...

ZUKO: I guess it's just us two then?

She smugly smirks.

AZULA: What else we need?

Overwhelmed with relief, he opts to hug her. She's mostly frozen because of it.

JET: Am I interrupting?

Jet once again present, Azula lays on her charm.

AZULA: No, not at all. I explained to Zuko how urgent the situation is. He's helping.

Jet nods.

JET: Great. We'll met you guys at dawn. Stay at the hideout while the others and I go for another scouting tour.

He winks at her and she blushes. Once left, Zuko pats her on the shoulder.

ZUKO: Man, you are one good actress. You even faked that blush.

AZULA (still blushing): Yeah. Right...

---

The soft breeze does wonder for Ty Lee's wellbeing. Deciding to look for some kind of cave in the forest, she finds a small cavern in the wall, a bit of shadow to go along with it. She places herself down on a rock in the relative center, gluing her knuckles together and sitting in a lotus position. Sabachi is close by collecting some lichi nuts, trying her best not to disturb the airbender.

Lots of questions and fears go through her head, mostly if this will even work or not. She takes a deep breath.

Her thoughts drift for a bit. The joy she felt from finding her family, from the shame she feels from being disconnected from it now. The safety she feels from the Air Nomads surviving in small pockets, to the discontent she feels from those same people having abandoned so many parts of their culture. From her friends and her boyfriend, to even Akari, and the anger she feels. At the same time... she can understand why the athlete would have to go back. It wasn't exactly a choice. Sokka's words ring through her mind again.

"You always have a choice."

Another cold breeze blows over her forehead.

---

Then, calm. She opens her eyes, seeing everything through a weird distortion, like a fluffy cloud. But... she clearly spots shapes and colors. Metal, grey. A cell. She's inside a cell. Then... it warps. She's back in that same basement with Mai.

MAI: We have to be fast before Azula shows up.

Mai turns around. She looks much older, and her outfit consists of red and black fabrics, rather than the usual grey and black.

MAI: What are you waiting for? Ty Lee? Ty-

Mai freezes up. As Ty Lee turns around as well, she spots her. The Fire Lord.

AZULA: What are you two doing down here?

Azula's aura is much different than what Ty Lee is used too. Still purple, but black. More... violet. A shade so dark it looks like a shadow. The girl is also older and wearing her royal armor.

MAI: We're just doing some digging. Old Fire Nation history stuff.

Azula pouts. Her expressions and mannerisms are a lot sharper and colder compared to the Azula Ty Lee knows. It flat-out scares her, though in reality the entire sequence feels like it's on rails, all of her emotions and reactions feeling planned ahead, as if she was merely watching a movie through the eyes of a different Ty Lee.

AZULA: Never took you for much of a history buff, Mai. No. That's not why you're here.

She saunters around the dark Fire Nation cellar, eyeing everything casually with the persistence of a tiger watching its prey, waiting for the moment to strike.

AZULA: You two are here because of Ty Lee.

Her eyes shift over to the acrobat, who can feel her hair standing up, much like a cat as well.

TY LEE: M- me? Well...

Mai lightly shakes her head in the background, though Azula already knows what's up.

AZULA: Well?

Ty Lee tries to relax her muscles. This is when she realizes she is wearing the exact same pink outfit she wore before she got her custom airbender dress from Dibuang.

AZULA: Don't worry, you can ask me anything. I'm your friend.

Chime.

TY LEE: Well... you see... I've been wondering...

AZULA: Mhm.

TY LEE: Ever since we've defeated the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes-

AZULA: Conquered. But... continue.

Ty Lee is still clearly scared. And Azula knows it.

TY LEE: Yes. Conquered. Anyways, I was wondering... did... we do the same with the Air Nomads?

Azula stops, raising her brow.

AZULA: That's a child's question. You're not a child anymore, Ty Lee.

Mai is clearly just as tensed up, fearing greatly for the acrobat's safety.

TY LEE: Yeah, I know. But... I just... I thought about what we were taught in the Academy and... it just sounds odd. We fought earthbenders and waterbenders for a hundred years. Took us a while. How come-

AZULA: How come we killed them so quickly?

Ty Lee is shut down immediately. Mai tries desperately not to show any emotion, but it's on the verge now.

AZULA: You're right. Those... stories we heard in school... were stories. Fiction. We tell them to kids so it's easier to accept the truth.

TY LEE: The... the truth?

By now Ty Lee's vision as almost as clear as her usual sight.

TY LEE: Were they innocent?

Azula shrugs.

AZULA: Innocent schminnocent. Does it matter? They were in the way of our progress.

The Fire Lord tries to more earnestly convince her friend.

AZULA: Just imagine if we left them alone. If we let them use the Avatar against us. They would've wiped the Fire Nation off the map. You wouldn't have liked that, would you?

Ty Lee is still flabbergasted, the gravity of the situation truly pulling her down.

TY LEE: But...

AZULA: I'll explain it in simpler terms - picture a forest fire. It sucks that things burn down, but the forest regrows twice as fast.

TY LEE: So... the Air Nomads were trees?

AZULA: That needed to be burned down. Are we done here?

It truly dawns on her. Mai had known the truth for years, feeling the pain with the acrobat.

AZULA: Ty Lee... we're adults now. We can move on. Hm?

She plucks her cheek a bit too tight, then leaves the basement.

AZULA: Come on Mai. We'll give her some space.

The assassin gives her an empathetic glance. A few tears have escaped her usually stern expression. After that she leaves. Ty Lee drops to the ground, closing her eyes, tears running down her face as well.

She opens them again, back in some steel cage. She looks over to a shiny part of the metal wall, polished enough to make a mirror. She gasps at she sight of... herself. Older. Tired. Skinnier. She opens her mouth, a word almost escaping her mouth. Then her vision turns white.

---

She opens her eyes yet another time. They are sprawling with tears, showing just how overwhelmed with emotion she is, a feeling which has transferred all the way from the other Ty Lee's memory, onto her and finally over to this world. She cannot believe the words she heard, the things she saw. Ty Lee also wipes her nose, blood running from it. Her head pounds, both meaning this would not be easily repeated.

It takes her much longer to let all of this sink in.

---

A loud thud. Most likely the same metallic thud Yue hears every day, though this time it sounded a lot harsher. Who cares? The rock between her bars is shut and with the help of a little lamp she continues getting invested in her little novel. Noatak, the swashbuckling hero of the Northern Seas. It was one of her favorite things to read as a child. The heroic captain, visually reminding her of Zorak, would get into all kinds of trouble and adventures, all in service of himself and the people. He'd always get the girl in the end too. It took Yue many years to realize that she saw herself both liking him as well as the dames. For a short period, when life was calmer, she'd picture herself as the heroic female sidekick, and Kenora as the sassy captain. It seems like a lifetime ago.

Crack! The stone bars sink back into the earth and reveal an almost empty room. Almost.

SHAHAR: Good afternoon.

Somehow, despite being the one that doesn't constantly have a stern expression, Shahar scares her more. She puts her book aside as the agent bends a precise, sharp rectangle out of the wall, just tall enough for her to enter. She picks up a chair inside Yue's cell and places herself down elegantly, a small clipboard with a pen placed on her crossed legs. Yue hides behind her closed book, gulping quietly. Shahar sighs.

SHAHAR: You want to talk? Good, let's talk.

Yue puts the book away, finding some of her strength again.

YUE: I didn't say I wanted to talk.

SHAHAR: I'll put that on the report. Will make it look better.

She scribbles something down.

YUE: Better for you?

SHAHAR (keeping her head still but looking up at her): For you.

Yue can feel her anxiety crawling back inside the cell. She... could try to escape, as a rectangle chunk of wall is missing, but suppose there's no use against an earthbender. Shahar finally looks up properly.

SHAHAR: I am doing this because Mai carries sympathies for you. Don't take me for a friend.

Yue has few different thoughts rushing into her head.

YUE: Do what?

SHAHAR: Try to get you to talk to me.

Yue scoffs dismissively.

YUE: And why would I do that?

SHAHAR: Because your visit has recently been extended.

Yue looks at her in shock, the realization dawning on her.

YUE: But...

SHAHAR: We got the message this morning. They refuse to negotiate for your release.

Yue shakes her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

YUE (teary): They wouldn't - he wouldn't...

Trying to come off as professional... Shahar can't help herself. She takes a tissue from her pocket (because the Kimono Society thought of pockets!), handing it to Yue, who uses it extensively.

SHAHAR: I'm... sorry to be the one to tell you.

Yue lets out a loud sigh through her open mouth. Her voice still trembles a bit.

YUE: What if you're lying to get me to talk?

Shahar scratches the back of her head.

SHAHAR: To be honest with you... I did consider that option. But, seeing as it has become a reality now... I just find it cruel.

Yue nods. A whole cocktail of emotions boils inside her. Facial expressions shifting from grief, to anger, to fear.

SHAHAR: You technically have no use for the Earth King. I don't know yet what he plans for you. I want to help before that happens. Just...

She sighs, already knowing Yue's answer.

SHAHAR: Anything, Yue. Any information. Who was on your ship, who gave you the sewer intel, all that stuff.

Yue keeps her lips sealed and her arms crossed. Shahar passive-aggressively taps her clipboard.

SHAHAR: Anything? Nothing?

YUE: I can't... betray...

SHAHAR: I'm aware of your concerns. I share those too. To be honest, if I was in your position... I wouldn't say anything either.

Yue pouts, signaling a clear answer.

SHAHAR: Can you at least tell me something about your captain? This... Kenora girl.

She looks down at her reports.

SHAHAR: What about...

As she looks back up, a strange sight occurs. Behind the innocent eyes of the princess hides a faint blush. Long enough for Shahar to clearly notice. Silence creeps into the cell, like a fog of embarrassment and fear. Yue's heart pounds faster, though suppose at this point it can't get any worse. Shahar is quite literally speechless, occasionally gawking back into her reports to try and come up with something to say.

YUE (softly): Please... please don't tell anyone. Please.

Shahar is put on the spot, though finally lets one of her walls down. In her mind it's a perfectly straight and square wall, much like all her real life earthbending.

SHAHAR: Right. I... don't see the need to include it.

Yue nods lightly.

YUE: Am I... the first girl you've met?

SHAHAR: Hm?

Shahar leans forward like a turtle.

YUE: The first girl who... likes other girls. Who's... different.

Much to her surprise, Shahar scoffs very briefly.

SHAHAR: You're talking to one yourself.

Yue's eyes suddenly brighten up with hope and relief. Also a hint of excitement.

SHAHAR: Is this... Kenora girl also... different? I'm not including any of this in the report, don't worry.

Finally, Yue opens up a little, literally in that she uncrosses her arms.

YUE: Yes. She and I... met each other for a while. But we... separated recently.

SHAHAR: That was... during your travels?

Yue shakes her head.

YUE: Before.

Shahar makes a comedic but subtle gesture of disgust.

SHAHAR: Yikes. That must've been awkward.

Yue scoffs.

YUE: It was.

She points to her small scar. Shahar worries.

SHAHAR: Did she...

YUE: It was an accident. But... it did hurt. A lot.

Shahar nods. Yue takes a deep breath, her voice no longer shaking.

YUE: Our mission was to free the prince. That's all I'm willing to tell you at this point.

The agent smirks after noting it down.

SHAHAR: See? That's something.

Yue gives her a faint smile.

SHAHAR: Alright.

Returning to her very professional tone, Shahar gets up and closes the gap in the wall, turning to Yue from the outside now.

SHAHAR: I will make some nice arrangements for you. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

She eases on the corporate tone for a second.

SHAHAR: Don't worry. I'll keep your secret with me. I'm good at that.

Yue smiles again, glad to not be completely alone in this situation. Perhaps the spirits haven't abandoned her just yet.

---

A loud thud. Sokka stops wiggling his hands. He managed to loosen his restraints a little bit. The Vultures are apparently not so good at tying knots, and he was hoping to free himself. Get out of here while he can. The tent flaps open and Smellerbee eyes him up and down.

SOKKA: What's going on?

The tomboy gives him a scary smile.

SMELLERBEE: Just checking.

She draws her blade.

SMELLERBEE: Waiting for the signal in case things go south.

Leaving the tent again, Sokka is left in yet another scenario in which death seems like it's imminent.

---

Act III. - Attack on Titan

---

Hopping from tree to tree, branch to branch, Jet, The Duke, Longshot and Pipsqueak are pursued by the raven-haired twins on the ground. The sun is setting already, and the siblings are closely paying attention as to not walk into another one of Teo's traps.

As they quietly continue the pursuit, the Vultures briefly stop at a cliff at the edge of the forest. Even from a bit further back in the bushes the village and military outpost are visible. Though there does seem to be a detail off. Azula frowns, at first in confusion, then in shock.

The proud, green flag of the Earth Kingdom waves over the village.

PIPSQUEAK: We got our hands on two more barrels of blasting jelly. I don't think it's going to be enough to blow the dam.

Jet turns the wheat straw in his mouth, pondering about how to formulate his strategy.

PIPSQUEAK: If we got a few more from-

JET: It will be enough for Azula. Trust me, her firebending is pretty powerful. All I need to do is convince her of the cause.

He looks at his peers with a malicious smirk. The siblings openly glare at Jet now.

JET: I might need a few more days to make work of that. It's important that we keep it a secret that the outpost is from the Earth King and not the Water Tribe.

The Duke jumps off of Pipsqueak's shoulder and approaches Jet.

THE DUKE: But what about the people in the town, won't they get wiped out too if we blow the dam?

Jet gently pads his helmet.

JET: Look Duke, that's the price of liberation. We can't win this war with the Earth King and his goons still in power.

He looks at his fellow Vultures one more time.

JET: Freedom isn't something that anyone can give you, it's something you have to fight for.

AZULA (whispering): Oh, I am going to kill him-

Unbeknownst to her, she steps in yet another one of Teo's traps. her feet caught in a loop, dangling upside down for the Vultures to see. Zuko takes the initiative - he draws his blades and takes a protective stance to shield his sister.

JET: Zuko, Azula, I'm glad you decided to join us.

ZUKO: We heard your plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom town.

JET: Our plan is to liberate the valley.

ZUKO: There are people living there, Jet - mothers and fathers and children.

JET: We can't be free without making some sacrifices.

Zuko grunts. He is clearly outnumbered here.

AZULA: You lied to us about the flooding!

While her expression is mostly anger, a hint of shame is layered underneath.

JET: Because you don't understand the demands of war. Not like the Vulture Clan does.

AZULA: Oh, I do understand. I understand that there's nothing you won't do to get what you want!

Jet sighs, averting his face.

JET: I was hoping you'd have an open mind, but I can see you've made your choice.

He draws his blade, seeming to aim one of his hook swords at a nearby tree.

AZULA: Run Zuko! Get Aang!

Zuko decides to make a run for it.

JET: Stay with her! Don't underestimate her abilities!

A striking bang-sound and Jet is immediately pulled forward by his contraption, grabbing Zuko by the back and pulling him upwards. He shoots the left side of his machine to stabilize his flight path, dropping the swordfighter on a large enough tree branch. Zuko immediately rolls over and readies for combat.

ZUKO: You used my sister you snake!

Jet smirks, keeping his blades ready.

JET: Oh, you have no idea what she and I did...

Angered to the point of howling, Zuko charges him with more anger than he has ever had against any opponent.

---

Aang has gotten somewhat of a grip back on the whole earthbending thing. Well, somewhat. He can't help but to find Bandit's form and technique a lot less refined, a lot sloppier than he was used from Toph. Suppose that's what happens when you don't need earthbending to see every day of your life.

After trying to heap a chunk of earth with half of it falling off, Bandit finally has had enough.

BANDIT: That was terrible. You suck.

Aang scratches the back of his head. This comment would've hurt a lot more coming from literally anybody else.

BANDIT: You have some of the basics down, I'll give you that. It's pretty weird how you mastered all the elements in your world but just forgot them here.

He shrugs.

AANG: Well, it's technically another body.

The earthbender rolls her eyes.

BANDIT: Whatever. Let's head back and see what those numb nuts have been doing without me...

A lot of resentment hides in that statement. And so... Aang has to ask.

AANG: Are they... leaving you behind a lot recently?

Bandit sighs.

BANDIT: Jet used to take me on missions every day. Nowadays... I don't know. I bet he has some stupid reason like "wanting to protect me".

Having repressed this concern for a whole day now, Aang finally starts having worries about Jet.

AANG: Do you... know what he has planned?

She shrugs.

BANDIT: Don't know. I'm gonna kick his butt soon if he doesn't tell me though. Especially with that weird guy that showed up.

Aang raises an eyebrow.

AANG: What weird guy?

Bandit sighs.

BANDIT: I wish I knew. Jet only told me that he's some other freedom fighter from further south. Gave us some blasting jelly. I think his name was...

As she continues, Aang connects the dots in his head.

AANG: Vaas.

She reacts similarly to when he knew her name.

BANDIT: How do you - darn it Avatar, you are way too mysterious for me!

AANG: He's the leader of the Liberation Forces. That means Jet is part of it!

Bandit shakes her head in disbelief.

BANDIT: No, that's not true. I told him not to be friends with those weirdos. Attacking Earth Kingdom troops? Jet would never do that.

He gives a stare that is anything but reassuring.

AANG: We need to head back. Now.

He runs ahead. Bandit is frozen is disbelief for a second.

BANDIT: Jet wouldn't do that...

---

Blades clash with metal, hooks with reddish dragons. Zuko repeatedly swipes and slashes at his enemy, the two boys and their dual weapons being of relative equal strength, keeping each other on the edge constantly. Zuko starts trying to switch from branch to branch, softening the impact with a roll, yet Jet clearly has the terrain advantage, using his hooked blades to constantly dangle up and down, able to keep up with the boy.

He swings his blades twice, Zuko dodging and blocking - he switches to an offensive spin series, one of the blows slicing Jet's wheat straw in half. A kick launches Zuko backwards, the sounds of Jet's cables indicating that he has leapt forward once again, dragging him further up. Zuko finally manages to wrangle himself free over a deserted hanging bridge, Jet landing on the other side while his ropes retract with a high-pitched buzzing. Zuko gnarls his teeth, his opponent getting ready as well.

JET: We could've worked together, Zuko! All of us! To free the Earth People from all these tyrants!

Zuko grunts, pointing one of his swords at him.

ZUKO: The only tyrant here is you, Jet!

Jet seems to seriously take this to heart, though his reaction is more anger.

JET: You don't seem to understand he bigger picture here, Zuko...

ZUKO: Which is?

Jet readies his sword.

JET: True freedom comes at a price.

He shoots another rope at Zuko, who dodges. He fails to dodge the incoming knee to his chest, though he quickly recovers. Jet drops below, starting another serious of attacks against the swordfighter, slowly but surely realizing that Jet's strength alone is not enough to overpower him. Simple blocks and counters are more than enough to deal with the hook swords. His footwork is also much more advanced, forcing Jet to constantly readjust himself with his ropes. At one point he abandons the idea of a fair duel, leaping back and forth between different trees with dangerous speeds. Zuko is skilled enough to hold steady, enraging Jet even more. He finally manages to outsmart Zuko with a pretty foul delay trick, allowing him to grab Zuko's shirt with one of his hooks, dragging him further away and through the thicket.

---

Azula meanwhile struggles to remove the rope around her feet while the other three stand guard.

AZULA: Aren't you gonna go after Jet and help him?

LONGSHOT: ...

She grunts in frustration, mostly from the blood starting to collect in her head.

AZULA: How can you stand by and do nothing while Jet wipes out a whole town?

PIPSQUEAK: Hey listen Azula, Jet's a great leader. We follow what he says, and things always turn out okay.

Azula looks over to the dam filled to the brim with water.

AZULA: So your plan was to ask me to blow up the damn to flood the town? That's it?

PIPSQUEAK: We can just get some more blasting jelly instead.

She shrugs... upside down.

AZULA: Well, I guess I'm no longer needed then.

Distracting them long enough to aim her finger, she just shoots the contraption on one of the trees, releasing her immediately. She blocks one of Longshots incoming arrows, then ducks as Pipsqueak tries to slam her with his log club. She shoots a wave of fire at both before trying to get The Duke off her head scaring him off with a fire dagger. Another arrow blocked by her wrist protector and another swing from the giant dodged with the skillful agility of a cat, Azula starts blasting blue fire towards them, seemingly at random and easy for all of them to avoid.

PIPSQUEAK: That's all you got? Not very impressive.

Longshot takes aim again, though Azula seems relaxed, even if blocking his arrows hurts every time.

AZULA: Why? I hit all my targets.

Pipsqueak scoffs.

THE DUKE: You didn't hit us a single time!

Azula shrugs.

AZULA: Didn't say you were my targets...

Longshot lowers his bow and looks behind him. A good portion of the woods in flames.

AZULA: It was fun and games, boys. But I suspect you have your hands full with preventing a forest fire.

Angry and with tied hands, the Vultures begin trying to extinguish the flames, both with the clubbing of a trunk and The Duke with his helmet. Longshot, a frown on his quiet face, takes aim once more, only to find the cliffs deserted.

---

At some point Zuko lost his swords in between getting dragged through branch after branch, leaves slapping in his face repeatedly, Jet dragging him from tree to tree like a long-armed monkey. He has no weapons now. Only...

He tries taking a deep breath, then, as Jet shoots another rope, Zuko goes for the initiative. It takes Jet a few seconds to notice the burning smell. Yet, by the time he does, his entire apparatus is in flames, including the rope he's currently swinging from. In a hasty panic, he drops Zuko, unbuckling the device from his belt and hook swords, letting the thing crash somewhere in a small fire. The two slam through even more branches, slowing down their fall. Jet attempts to hit Zuko yet another time in the air, yet they both just crash on the ground, grunting with pain.

JET (kneeling, in pain): What the...

Zuko gets up, though his stance is shaky at best.

ZUKO (in pain): You lost.

Jet grunts, getting up as well, reading his weapons.

JET (in pain): You're mistaken.

Before any more fighting can happen, two incredibly precise fire shots disarm the boy followed by a kick that knocks him into a small creek right next to them.

AZULA: Good work, Zuko. How'd you manage that?

Before he can cough out an answer, Azula is hit in the side with a crumbling rock blast, a sliding Bandit following right after.

AANG: Wait!

Aang rushes ahead with his airbending speed, protecting Azula on the ground.

BANDIT: Just what exactly are you doing with Jet?!

Jet sits back up inside the very shallow water.

JET (in pain): Bandit... I'm so glad you're here...

Azula grunts, getting back up.

AZULA: Your little friend here was planning on wiping out an entire Earth Kingdom village - just because he has some qualms with the Earth King.

Bandit's worst fear manifests. Aang sighs with heavy guilt. He should've known better.

JET (in pain): Bandit... you don't understand...

BANDIT: I understand perfectly well - not only that you ignored my advice and befriended those Liberation Freaks, but that you lied to me about it!

Not the accusations of war crimes upset Jet, it's hearing direct criticism from one of his own. Bandit too displays some genuine emotion.

BANDIT: Why, Jet? I've lived most of my life with you on the run. I helped you build this place - I helped out with raids and fights and things I'm not proud of. Was that not enough to be seen as an equal by you?!

Jet... is speechless.

BANDIT: I trusted you with my life! You make me sick!

Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot fweet! Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot fweet!

Hearing the signal, Jet whistles right back. Aang's heart skips a beat.

Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot tot! Toot-toot-toot-toot-toot-toot tot!

Bandit pulls him up by his ripped shirt.

BANDIT: What does that mean?! What did you do?!

Jet averts his face from meeting hers.

JET (cold): My backup-plan.

He glares at Azula and Zuko.

JET: I listened in on you two. I knew you might betray me, so I made some arrangements to make sure we would have at least one victory today.

Bandit lets him go. He is still not strong enough to stand up.

BANDIT: What did you...

JET: That was the signal to kill the Crown Prince.

Now everyone's heart skips a beat.

ZUKO: No...

JET: You're too late.

AANG: No!

JET: This was a victory, Bandit. Remember that. The people of the Earth Kingdom are one step closer to liberation.

Bandit bonks him on his head.

BANDIT: Are you crazy?! We agreed never to kill anyone! What is wrong with you?!

Aang, unleashing his true anger, creates flames from his fists that form daggers, approaching Jet with murderous intent. Appa's growl briefly distracts him, fills him with hope. Yet, on it is only Ty Lee, Sabachi flying from her shoulder to Azula's.

TY LEE: What happened?

No one answers and the forest is briefly covered in a profound layer of horror.

SOKKA: His plan failed.

Shocking literally every single person present, Sokka drops an unconscious Smellerbee from his shoulder.

JET: Smellerbee-

SOKKA: She's fine, don't worry. I'm not a killer like you.

The prince's attitude seems much different right about now, reminding Aang more of a vengeful Prince Zuko.

SOKKA: Thankfully you Vultures are terrible at tying knots.

The silence is deafening.

AANG: Sokka, I'm so-

SOKKA: I didn't betray the Water Tribes so that I would be treated like trash! I joined you so that I could help you - as a friend. How many more times am I going to be captured and ditched while you're all off to have adventures? How long till I'll be treated like an equal?!

Even Azula seems to warm up at this. Everyone else in the Dream Team is also speechless.

AANG: Sokka, I promise-

SOKKA: Your promises mean nothing to me anymore. You can go and save the world without me.

He turns around and intends to leave.

TY LEE: Sokka-

ZUKO: Sokka! Please!

He only stops at Zuko's pleading.

ZUKO: Please don't do this.

The prince won't turn around yet.

SOKKA: I've already lost everything. What more do I need to give?

He does turn to meet Aang with a sorrowful glare.

SOKKA: I'll only ever be the second-most important Sokka in your life.

And with that, he finally disappears into the woodwork, walking out of sight into a patch of bushes. Jet finds this more than confusing.

AANG: We have to go after him. Guys?

He looks around for answers.

BANDIT: I'm out of here too.

AANG & JET: No!

She glares at both of them, crossing her arms.

BANDIT: Why should I stay with either of you?

JET: Bandit please! We're family!

Bandit sighs.

BANDIT: Family doesn't lie.

Clearly leaving Jet is the much harder decision of the two. Though Aang doesn't give up yet.

AANG: Please don't go. I need you, Toph!

Her sad expression turns into one of anger.

BANDIT: I AM NOT TOPH!

Jet raises his eyebrow.

JET: Who's Toph?

BANDIT: Nobody.

She points her fully extended arm at Aang, though her eyes also stare at him angrily.

BANDIT: I don't owe you earthbending lessons or my friendship just because we did those things in some other world! Go find your Toph if you need her so badly!

She walks a few steps away, no one daring to stop her. She halts one last time to look back with slightly teary eyes.

BANDIT: Great choice, huh? One egomaniac who doesn't trust me or another egomaniac who thinks I have to trust him.

She looks at Azula, Zuko and Ty Lee.

BANDIT: I hope he treats you better than that.

Much like Sokka before her, she too disappears into the thicket, blending in between the bush as if she was never meant to be here in the first place.

---

Mai finds the smell of Tamao's office more than irritating, internally grateful that her roommate doesn't share this love for incense, though the tobacco isn't much better. Said roommate looks like she could use a smoke right about now, appearing extra nervous at the meeting with her boss today.

After reviewing some kind of document, she finally looks up at the two of them.

TAMAO: Very good. I assume we can expect further cooperation from this Yue?

Shahar nods. Mai gives her a soft but noticeable kick in the shin.

SHAHAR: I also wanted to recommend some kind of new arrangement for the princess, seeing as she no longer classifies as an enemy combatant.

Tamao carefully reviews her words.

TAMAO: Arrangement as in...

MAI: A better living situation.

Tamao is somewhat surprised to hear this.

MAI: Same as the prince.

TAMAO: Well, the prince had the Avatar as his confidant. Can you two vouch for Yue in the same capacity?

Shahar gives Mai a quick look of uncertainty, though Mai seems to convince her without any additional words.

SHAHAR: Yes.

MAI: Yes.

Tamao nods.

TAMAO: Very well. I will see to it. But I will make her your responsibility Shahar, not mine.

Shahar suppresses her very obvious anger in a sigh.

SHAHAR: Of course.

TAMAO: That's good to hear. Especially since I have new assignment, for the both of you.

The girls frown with curiosity.

TAMAO: You two must answer one very important question.

MAI: Which is?

Tamao gets up, folding her hands behind her back.

TAMAO: We know that the Water Tribe possessed very detailed intel about our sewage system. That kind of information can only be found within the walls of Ba Sing Se.

She looks to the both of them with a rather serious stare.

TAMAO: You two need to find the mole.

---

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Like I said in the last author's note - my output is weird. These take me a while to complete, or I can finish them in under a week. Regardless, I hope you enjoy them all the same :)

Can't say exactly when the next chapter is going to drop, as it is for the most part an entirely original story. Nevertheless, be sure to look forward to...

Episode 7: Sokka and the Bandit.