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.

29. Episode 9: A mouth full of gold

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 9

A mouth full of gold

---

Act I. – Sizzle Sands

---

Kenora stops her mount as she reaches the Pāpaka. Her Princess Squad and adult teachers are all gathered on the main deck, consulting Katara. Her hair stands up, causing her to chase the animal up the metal plank, getting off it and running over to the seated Crown Princess. The ship has firmly anchored itself at the side of the river.

KENORA: What happened?!

Suki, kneeling halfway next to the princess, gets up in a fury.

SUKI: He knew her.

Kenora shudders. Katara's expression makes it look like she just saw a ghost.

KENORA: What? Who?

SUKI: The Avatar.

The swordfighter makes a defensive stance next to the quiet princess.

SUKI: Just like he knew who I was, captain.

AKARI: Kenora?

The waterbender flinches at the mention of her real name. Though, rather than an attempt to be confrontational, the soft tone of the airbender is a successful attempt to make her appear as vulnerable.

KENORA: You are to-

She extends her hand, the arm shaking with pain from the fight with Azula. After a pained grunt she collapses onto one knee, unable to hold herself up without another sound. Among many other issues, the wound on her nose is bleeding again.

ZORAK: Careful.

To Kenora's surprise, the sleazy pirate-esc tutor helps her back up on two feet.

AKARI: This is real, Kenora. He knew Suki by sight and Katara by name.

Their captain averts her gaze, Akari switching looks with Suki.

AKARI: I think you know why. Or at least you might.

Their captain pouts defensively. Katara gets up again, her eyes just as swollen as those of the the sleepless squad members.

KATARA: Is... is that true?

Kenora is in severe pain and too embarrassed to answer.

KANNA: I think I can shed some light on the situation.

The old woman steps in between captain/teacher and the three girls.

KATARA: Gran-Gran?

Kanna lets out a heavy sigh.

KANNA: I wasn't sure if I could trust the Avatar's friend. It was...

She remembers her unknown mini betrayal back in the Golden City.

KANNA: ...a difficult situation back in the Golden City siege. However, I did acquire an interesting piece of information from the swordfighter that travels with the Avatar.

The old woman looks over to Kenora, the girl staring a hole into the ground. Technically it was Kenora who first told the Chief Mother about this, yet this way the blame is slightly shifted and not all directed at the already-hated captain.

KANNA: According to him, the Avatar is from a different world. A world in which the Fire Nation started the war.

She lets the morning air soothe them all as the information sinks in.

KATARA: What? A different... world...

The previously scared girl seems a lot more focused all of a sudden.

KATARA: What do you mean?

KENORA: I never believed any of it.

Katara's eyes switch over to her.

KATARA: So you knew?

Her tone sounds accusatory.

KENORA: I thought they were lying - I still think they're lying!

She grunts, grabbing the wound on her waist again.

KENORA: Some... nonsense about another world. The boy thinks that the Fire Nation is evil and the Water Tribe is good or something. Claims that he knew my gran-gran as a waterbender there.

The girls plus Zorak react with collective shock.

AKARI: What?!

KATARA: So that's why he knows me.

Kenora shrugs in a sudden fashion. For once in their travels Katara reacts somewhat aggressive.

KATARA (angry): Why didn't you tell us? You didn't think that was important information?!

KENORA: No, I didn't! It's a ridiculous story meant to distract us or something!

She scoffs at everyone.

KENORA: Would any of you have believed them if you were in my position?

None of them answers. Katara turns to her grandmother.

KATARA (angry): You should've told us - a lot sooner.

Kanna frowns, disappointed at her own inaction.

KANNA: We should have. This changes things.

Kenora barks back at the woman.

KENORA: It changes nothing! Our goal is still to hunt the Avatar-

KATARA: And then what?

She's prematurely halted in her ranting.

KATARA: He knows us, Kenora. Me and Suki and probably the rest of us as well.

Kenora relaxes her shoulders, her eyes shaking with fear.

KENORA: Even... even if it's true - why would we stop? Should we all crumble in fear over this boy?! Should we-

She winces once again, collapsing to the deck. Apparently she's hurt more badly than she admitted to herself.

KATARA: Kenora!

As the princess rushes over to her, Suki and Akari follow suit.

KENORA (in pain): I'm... fine...

Katara allows the waterbender to rest her head on her lap.

KATARA: You are clearly not.

The Crown Princess swallows her pride.

KATARA: And I'm still angry at you.

She looks for reassurance at the other two.

KATARA: But we're a team. We all need to stick together.

Everyone nods, even Kanna and Zorak.

ZORAK: Based on what Suki told us, the Avatar has an earthbender with him now. You girls are outnumbered.

Kenora remembers his face. The proud Sokka ridden of shame as he rides away with his back turned. She couldn't possibly tell Katara about this. Not after everything that happened today.

---

KUEI: He just... died? Then and there?

An emergency War Council Meeting was called in not even two hours after the chase subsided.

Mai and Shahar nod.

KUEI: And... why wasn't Agent Shahar available to help?

The Crescent Warrior gives a guilty look to her partner.

SHAHAR: I must apologize my King. I have a... weakness when it comes to sweet... smells.

A very professional way of explaining that she threw her guts up at the sight of lollipops.

Kuei ponders, his head resting on his folded hands before sitting up straight again.

KUEI: This is all highly unfortunate. Both the appearance of an apparent Water Tribe spy as well as your combined inability to capture him.

SUNG: If I may ask, which investigation required the two of you to be in this part of the city at this time of the day?

Fong clenches his fists in fear of being outed in front of the king and fellow generals.

TAMAO: They were following a lead.

The inconspicuous kimono lady appears from the back of the room, stepping into its center and bowing before the council.

TAMAO: I have tasked the two with the mission of identifying the mole connected to our recent security breach.

She looks back at Mai and Shahar, the stern warrior correctly guessing that it's meant to be reassuring.

KUEI: And... have they made any progress yet?

TAMAO: The existence of a waterbender agent was a shocking discovery. Despite his death... complicating things, I have already begun looking into his backgrounds. Where he was registered, who supplied him with goods, if any of his neighbors saw anything-

KUEI: Yes, thank you Madame. I appreciate your efforts.

The cold king eyes the two girls for a few seconds, analyzing the situation as if creepily staring at them would gain him some insight.

KUEI: I can believe that your failed capture was an honest mistake. However, I do not need to remind you that this investigation is our highest priority. If this is truly a larger intelligence syndicate, the identification and capture of every single perpetrator is of the upmost importance. I expect the entire Kimono Society and Crescent Warriors to focus their full resources on finding answers.

Mai, Shahar, and Tamao bow slightly.

TAMAO: Thank you your grace. We will not disappoint you.

Kuei nods, a worried frown growing on his temple.

KUEI: Thank you. If I were you however, I wouldn't be so concerned with making me happy.

He looks to everyone in the room, giving each person a chilling sensation running across their backs.

KUEI: If this is allowed to continue unchecked, the city might be lost already.

---

Tamao slams the door to her office. Mai looks quite shocked and surprised, exchanging worried looks with Shahar. The otherwise calm and elegant Madame appears frizzled and uneasy, strains of her hair hanging down like worms escaping an apple.

TAMAO: How in the world did two of you manage to let him get away with killing himself?!

Shahar is more than displeased to be scolded by her boss, Mai making a guess that this is the first time this happens.

MAI: We tried everything we could, it was literally out of nowhere-

TAMAO: And you are supposed to be able to deal with situations like that! I recommended both of you personally for this!

She sighs, falling back into her floor pillow whilst stroking her brow ridge, smearing away some of the white foundation. The girls follow suit and sit down with hesitation.

MAI: It's my fault. Don't blame Shahar.

The Kimono Agent is truly shocked to hear someone having her back like this.

TAMAO: No. It is no one's fault. That's what's so frustrating about this.

She takes out a pair of incense and ignites them on her desk.

MAI (mumbling to herself): Wonderful...

TAMAO: Our King is correct in his assessment. This isn't about pointing fingers or feeling ashamed - this is about pure pragmatism.

She pauses, tapping her long-nailed fingers on the low oak table.

TAMAO: An organization of this magnitude, equipped to deal efficiently with counter-intelligence and able to infiltrate the city with waterbenders under our noses...

Mai crosses her arms, a rock-solid expression that crumbles ever so slightly.

TAMAO: If we don't deal with this now, it'll spread like a wildfire. We cannot assume that the deceased fugitive acted on his own. Turn every stone, search every nook and cranny in the city if you have to.

Shahar nods right away, getting up in a jolt despite her lack of sleep.

SHAHAR: Understood. And thank you.

Tamao, as if her rude appearance wasn't already surprising, scoffs.

TAMAO: The only one who should be thanking me is Fong.

The Madame gets up too, followed by Mai.

MAI: Why didn't you tell the King about his secret husband?

TAMAO: I intend to tell him right now. I was hoping to do it in private, or else the gossip would have distracted from everything else. How the King will react to it, I cannot say.

She rushes past by them, fixing her hair and switching her stressed-out pace back to a relaxing, slow appearance. The kind of maid you wouldn't notice in the background.

TAMAO: Oh, and one of you better ask the North Pole princess if she has any intel. The quicker she cooperates the better are her chances of being left out of this.

Mai nods, knowing that she will probably be doing that. As Tamao shuts the door, Shahar's exhale is shaky and tired, her eyes tearing up slightly from the exhaustion mixed with the anger from her boss.

MAI: You should get some sleep. You look terrible.

Shahar waves her off.

SHAHAR: What I need is a pipe break, a shower, and a dozen agents to go comb through the city. Don't expect me back before sundown.

Snapping open the door, she halts her bravado just once to turn back around.

SHAHAR: Thank you for standing up for me. But this was my mistake. I need to fix it.

The door shuts. Mai rolls her eyes, perhaps also because she couldn't give back a response to her partner. She sighs.

MAI (to herself): I could use some sleep as well...

---

They had been pointlessly flying over portions of the Earth Kingdom for more than a month. How long did it take them to reach the outskirts of the Si Wong Desert?

ONE. DAY.

Azula fumes at the thought, rightfully so. This is one of the few times she voluntarily agrees with the Blue Dragon.

These people are fools! They should've been listening to you this whole time!

Unsurprisingly, the desert is quite a beautiful spot to engage in some star gazing. For now, the Dream Team is sort of split into two camps - one dune settled by the original four plus bison and lemur - the other sand hill inhabited by Sokka, Bandit, and their Doedicurus Mastiff. In between them a comprehensible mini valley.

AZULA (shouting across the dunes): You guys are going to be fine over there?

Bandit, mirroring the firebender, crosses her arms as Sokka erects two tents.

BANDIT: Yup. We still need to negotiate new terms with Aang before we join you guys officially.

Azula pouts, a comical red vain pulsating on her forehead.

BANDIT: Goodnight!

The two disappear out of view behind the dune.

AZULA: Okay, can anybody back me up here...

She turns, only to find Zuko and Ty Lee exhausted and ready to sleep, same goes for the animals.

TY LEE (sleepy): We'll talk about it tomorrow...

ZUKO (sleepy): Night-night...

Azula sighs.

Aang sits a few feet away on an entirely different dune. The boy is hugging his legs, longingly staring out into the firmament, little silver things sparkling on it, strange shapes in blue-ish shades giving it the appearance of a vast ocean. For a moment Azula stares at it, averting her eyes as it starts messing with her depth perception, freaking her out.

Stop!

She halts just as she is about to approach him.

You fool! Don't lie to yourself - you know that the boy is not interested in you! Let him sulk on his own...

Hugging herself tight, she starts squeezing her arm.

AZULA (in her head): I can't abandon him like that. He clearly needs me.

Of course he needs you. But he won't reward you with his love. You know that, don't you...

She swallows her pride with a deep breath, the dry desert air tingling her nostrils.

AZULA (in her head): Not everything I do needs to be rewarded just - just let me be!

NO! NO, YOU FOOL!

Despite its protest, she persists, causing that part of her to go quiet.

AZULA: May I sit down?

A light breeze washes warm air over the both of them. Agni, the boy still looks just as tired as when they found him this morning.

AANG: I won't stop you.

She rolls her eyes, taking a seat (a sand? a sand-seat? a seand?!).

AZULA: More of a rhetorical question. Of course I can sit down. I was really just asking if you wanted to talk.

He rests his head on his arms. His eyes are halfway shut.

AANG: I don't know if I want to.

He sighs, still just staring ahead into the distance.

AANG: For the last two weeks I've been nothing but baggage to you. All I do is sit around and feel bad about this or that. I'm tired of dragging you guys down with me...

Azula carefully weighs her options in deciding her response.

AZULA: I don't know if I would call it that. Besides, it's not like you're purposefully ruining our mood for the heck of it. You're... going through a lot.

A few more seconds of silence. Azula decides to sit down in a more comfortable position, leaning in closer on Aang.

AZULA: Let's be honest with each other for a moment.

This somehow gets him to side-eye her.

AZULA: Even if you've accepted the idea of... staying... it's not like the matter is magically resolved. It's going to test you and drag you every time something like this comes up.

More winds shift the sand with the sound of soothing flute melodies. One thing Azula has noticed ever since travelling with Aang - that emotional talk? The... touchy-feely things? If she really tries to do them with Aang... she's actually kind of good at it. Something about this boy, both tiny and mature, both vulnerable and stern - it's a feeling more profound than just a physical attraction.

AZULA: You... we... I'm not mad at you for reacting this way. It's okay to... feel angry about it.

He grunts, finally releasing his legs and stretching out in anger.

AANG: It's not that I'm mad about myself for having emotions - it's that I always leash out against you.

She frowns in confusion.

AZULA: "You" as in...

He sighs.

AANG: All of you but also you specifically. I... I can't lose you as well.

In a gesture meant to communicate fear of abandonment, he grasps her hand. She blushes profusely of course, him only realizing this after a few moments, though he doesn't... he... doesn't...

It might be the insomnia, but for the first time, he sees Azula in a different light, literally. The firebender meanwhile awaits his next move, hoping he would be the instigator just as Jet.

He pulls away again, the thought of Katara forcibly removing any more romantic tendencies.

AANG: I'm sorry. I... don't want to give you the wrong impression.

He too blushes. Azula meanwhile has a perfectly adequate non-weird response.

AZULA (weird): Tff! What? Me? No. Why would I get any wrong messages? You're crazy!

She looks away, crossing her arms and trying to keep her panic contained. Aang scratches the back of his head.

AANG: So... uh... wanna talk about it tomorrow?

AZULA (turning around like an owl): Yes. I think it's better for you and I to sleep tog- I mean, be fully rested.

She gets up, fake yawning and fake stretching.

AZULA: If you ask me, Katara isn't like the other me at all. If anyone is a crazy psycho princess, it's Kenora.

AANG: That reminds me.

He gets up. She is still wearing some bandages and a band-aid over her nose from the (technically lost) fight against the waterbender.

AANG: Did you... lose against her? I thought you had the upper hand.

She scoffs, once again, comically.

AZULA: No. The fight wasn't over, Sokka just intervened.

She laughs nervously.

AZULA: She wishes that I couldn't slam her around with my fire balls. I could take her in a non-bending fist fight if I wanted to.

He nods. Azula would of course not mention the detail about failed lightning bending, a lesson she has put on pause for now. She does actually believe that the fight was a draw.

AANG: Alright. I'll uh... probably sleep over here then.

In a cartoon fashion, he jolts down, resting his head on his hands.

AANG: Goodnight.

She nods way too formally.

AZULA: Night.

The walk of shame back to the others feels way longer than it is (about nine seconds). She is actually pretty tired. Still, that was... that was something else. She crawls into her sleeping back, rolling over on the side, shutting her eyes and-

Chime. She snaps them open - turning around - Ty Lee flinches as she is caught beeing awake still, having spied on the whole conversation. The firebender leans in close enough for their noses to touch.

AZULA (cold): Tell anyone about this and I will go full Other-Azula on you. Do you understand?

The acrobat nods her head frantically, the sound of a cow bell accompanying the scared expression. The girls roll away from each other, both hoping to find some sleep again.

Azula is still up for a while, thinking about her own words. She just came up with it on the spot but... how true is it? How much of her other self is in Kenora?

How much of her is in Kenora?

---

A full day and a night's rest was exactly what everyone on board needed, most of all the captain. Kenora slept through almost the entire previous day.

Early in the morning she eyes herself in the mirror, her cabin furnishment having been replaced shortly after her little... outburst. Once again, a non-sublte band aid is running across her nose ridge, the thought of carefully healing the injury and preventing any scars entirely gone at this point. The only question now is her hair. What if she...

A knock on the door. Kenora makes a quick decision and simply glues it all together in a convenient ponytail. The knock being not subtle at all tells her that it isn't Katara this time.

KENORA: Come in.

With a loud clank the metal door folds open, an insecure Akari in the doorframe. Kenora doesn't quite know how to react to this.

AKARI: Hey.

The athlete pops her eyebrows at her, entering with her hands in her pockets while Kenora gets up.

KENORA: Uh...

AKARI: Please. Stay seated.

Kenora nods way too formally, placing her behind on the chair again. Akari meanwhile occupies the bed, sitting cross-legged on the bed sheets.

KENORA: I uh... it's... nice to see ya.

KENORA (to herself): What?!

AKARI: Thanks, I guess.

Kenora pouts innocently. Eventually, she drops the polite charade with a sigh.

KENORA: Listen, I don't have a lot of allies on the ship at the moment...

Akari is entirely thrown off by this.

KENORA: ...Katara is still mad at me, and Suki never liked me, so... I just wanted to say... sorry.

AKARI: For... punching me in the face on my first day?

Kenora sulks quietly in shame.

KENORA: Why did you even stay after that? Must've been a pretty bad impression.

AKARI: Yeah. It was.

Akari tousles her messy mullet while weighing her options.

AKARI: I uh... I actually stayed because we were scared you were going to hurt one of us again.

Kenora's breath gets stuck in her throat. A tingle washes over her body and her face loses any warmth whatsoever.

KENORA: Oh. I... didn't know that.

AKARI: Really? That's your response?

Kenora looks up like a sad puppy.

AKARI: I expected you to go apeshit over that. You have... the weirdest mood swings.

KENORA: I suppose. Maybe I just needed to get to know you better.

AKARI: So that you wouldn't... punch me?

Kenora pouts again.

KENORA: Yeah, I see your point.

To her surprise, Akari scoffs, slightly humored.

AKARI: You are a strange person to figure out, I give you that.

Kenora feels an odd cocktail of pride and embarrassment swirling in her stomach.

KENORA: Thanks?

Akari smiles, though it blows away rather abruptly.

AKARI: What about Yue? Did she ever figure you out?

Kenora shots up in a flash. Akari almost expects the girl to go at her again, though instead her captain simply closes the door before taking a seat again. She sighs.

KENORA: I thought so. But... apparently not. Or maybe I didn't figure her out...

Akari nods at the assessment. Kenora thinks back to the fateful encounter beneath the giant palace of the Golden City. Back when she saved a life of someone she didn't even know.

KENORA: Can I tell you something?

AKARI: Yeah. Sure.

The athlete expects something big.

KENORA: I haven't told this anyone. And... I don't feel like it's the right time to tell Katara and the others...

Akari frowns nervously.

AKARI: Aha?

Kenora sighs.

KENORA: The firebender girl, back in the Golden City during the siege... she knew who Yue was. All of the Avatar's friends knew.

The airbender's eyes widen.

AKARI: So you knew something was up for quite a while then, huh?

Kenora shrugs.

KENORA: I didn't think anything of it. I still don't, to be honest. But... it's scary either way.

Akari takes a good moment to let all of that sink in.

AKARI: I actually came down because of that. I wanted to say I agree with you. I think the whole story is bonkers and I'm not sure I believe it.

Kenora finally shows a little joy in a humble smirk.

KENORA: I think there's a more reasonable explanation for all of this. The Avatar is part spirit after all.

AKARI: I thought he had a spirit that lives in him.

The waterbender is out of theories, therefore doesn't respond.

AKARI: Whatever.

The athlete gets up.

AKARI: I haven't forgiven you entirely but... you are nicer now. Much nicer. Keep it up, please.

Kenora smiles, taking the constructive criticism to heart as her comrade opens the door.

AKARI: It's crazy to think...

KENORA: What is?

Akari scoffs.

AKARI: You and Yue. I mean, I can tell you're that kind of girl, but she? Never saw that in a million years.

At first, a naive smile creeps onto Kenora's face. Then...

KENORA: Wait - you can tell with me? What do you mean by that?

Akari shrugs playfully. A hint of color hides in her cheeks.

AKARI: Call it experience.

With that, the airbending kickboxer leaves heir captain with a few questions and similarly red features.

---

Aang got a good night's sleep after all. A part of him feels guilty about it - guilty about not staying up all night thinking about Katara. Perhaps it was healthier this way.

Maybe Azula... never mind.

He rises from his dune, the heat of the sun giving him the impression that he had overslept till noon. Zuko and Ty Lee are already packing the bison as the Avatar walks over to them. A quick exchange of looks is all he communicates with Azula.

TY LEE: Aang, your aura looks much brighter! Are you feeling any better?

Bandit and Sokka join them, though the two of them are already saddled on their own mount. Azula decides to roll her eyes over, focusing her gaze on something she spots in the horizon.

AANG: I am.

He gazes quietly at his friends minus firebender girl.

AANG: I want to apologize to everyone. I know things have been... difficult with me. I have let all of you down multiple times.

Sokka and Bandit listen eagerly.

AANG: From this point on, I will not-

AZULA: Guys?

Rudely interrupting his monologue, she waves them towards the direction she's staring at.

In the distant horizon, clouds of smoke-like sand drifts behind a few black dots, seemingly coming closer.

AZULA: Aang? Original world reference?

He almost flinches as he remembers being trapped in the desert. He looks over to Appa with a frightened frown.

AANG: Sandbenders.

---

Act II. - The Cube of Bendigo

---

Aang's system is pumped to the brim with adrenaline, the packing-up process turning quick and hectic. Sabachi has decided to fly over to Ty Lee's shoulder as Sokka gets off his ride.

SOKKA: What's the plan?

AANG: The plan is to leave as fast as possible. I won't let sandbenders take Appa again.

The bison growls.

AZULA: He agrees.

AANG: You need to abandon your Doedicurus Mastiff.

Sokka comically objects.

SOKKA: What?! I'm not leaving Sledge behind!

Everyone halts.

AZULA: You named it... Sledge?

SOKKA: I'm... not very good with naming things...

BANDIT: Why are you all in a hurry all of a sudden?

Bandit has the grand idea to hop of Sledge too and add her two cents to the conversation.

AZULA: Um... maybe it's because we can't really afford to lose Appa? Unless Sledge can carry all six of us.

Sabachi chirps in protest.

AZULA: Seven.

They continue their hasty escape as Bandit stomps the sandy ground.

BANDIT: Are all of you dense?! They're Earth Kingdom! Why would they attack the Avatar?

This causes them to stop. Ironic to think that Toph couldn't stop Appa's capture in his world and Bandit is advocating to remain calm here. As Aang ponders his options all of them are surrounded by wooden ships using a lofty sandbending technique to circle them like sharks. After not getting any pushback from the kids or animals, they stop.

A man with no hair but a mighty Shenandoah beard steps off his land boat and removes his googles.

SHA-MO: Who are you and what are you doing in our desert?

His firm voice is somewhat intimidating. Aang decides to take charge for once, floating off Appa's head in a strategic demonstration of his airbending skills.

AANG: My name is Aang and I am the Avatar. We are travelling to Goldmouth.

Surprisingly, Azula doesn't add anything for once. Ty Lee tries her best not to make it known that she notices this.

Sha-Mo seems humbled enough to loosen his frown.

SHA-MO: The Avatar? Didn't you disappear 100 years ago?

Aang simply nods.

AANG: I did.

He produces a little fire, enough to convince the bandage-wearing men and women to back down.

SHA-MO: It would be an honor to escort you ourselves.

Aang bows respectfully, after which he gifts Bandit a much-deserved smile.

---

In an odd example of irony, perhaps the most poignant in Aang's adventure so far, the sandbenders use a handy contraption on which Appa and Sledge are placed and pulled across the desert, allowing both animals to rest and the remainder of the gang to gaze into the smoldering bowl of sand pudding. They pass by the massive rock in the middle of the desert, its magnetic center, Ty Lee feeling some sort of spiritual surge rising as it grows smaller in the distance again.

Aang decides to ask some premature questions to scout his future endeavors.

AANG: So uh... it's been a hundred years since I went to the Misty Palms Oasis. Seems like the city grew quite a bit.

Azula, who is standing a bit removed from Sha-Mo and the helm, rolls her eyes.

AZULA (mumbling to herself): Very subtle, Aang...

SHA-MO: It is true. Many of those seeking shelter from the Water Tribe felt like the desert is a natural destination. Commerce grew and the King in Ba Sing Se decided to expand it to a military outpost.

Sha-Mo's son, the one actually responsible for capturing Appa in the other world, steps forth, taking off his face cloth but keeping his googles on.

GASHIUN: The old king that is. This new one isn't very fond of our influence. They're afraid we're gonna take over the Earth Kingdom or something.

SHA-MO: That's enough.

Gashiun puts his mouth cover back on and disappears to a different part of the vessel.

AANG: Right. That sounds like the sandbender tribes have mapped out the desert pretty well. Have you guys ever stumbled over Wan Shi Tong's Library?

Azula prevents herself from laughing at his awkward manner of asking. Sha-Mo seems more than a little baffled.

SHA-MO: Yes. I'm surprised you've heard about The Great Library. It's a well-kept secret.

AANG & AZULA (her mouthing it at the same time): Avatar stuff.

Sha-Mo sighs.

SHA-MO: I'm afraid you're too late though. Wan Shi Tong removed his collection a few decades ago.

Aang tries to give a somewhat appropriate frown. Azula and Ty Lee can guess something is off, Zuko will be informed later. Only Sokka and Bandit will be left out for now.

AANG: How come?

SHA-MO: We're not sure. Our sages say that the increased presence of sandbender ships in the desert made him suspicious of humans. Many in history have used his knowledge to destroy others.

Aang nods. A similar procedure with his friends ensues. The airbender boy had been considering the possibility of a solar eclipse for a while now, or whatever the waterbender version of that would be. Whatever they would do, it wouldn't involve the library. Fair enough, the big old owl was a nuisance anyway.

AZULA: Do you guys know Shahar?

As the ships slice through sand and slide over multiple dunes, all attention on board the main ship shifts to Azula.

AZULA: Earthbender girl. Dark skin with an accent. About this tall.

She holds her hand up a few inches higher than herself. Gashiun and Sha-Mo exchange an estranged look.

GASHIUN: You're talking about that earthbender girl that left the Hami Tribe a while ago, aren't you?

Azula switches from crossing her arms to pressing her arms against her hips.

AZULA: She's a friend of ours in Ba Sing Se. Works for the king. Smart girl.

The sandbenders nod one after the other.

SHA-MO: Good for her.

Zuko rises from his seated position, staring in awe at the horizon.

ZUKO: Is that another mountain range? What is that?

The rest of the sand sailor crew smirks.

SHA-MO: No. That's Goldmouth.

---

A few more minutes and the sailing boats pass by the stone gates leading into a circular amalgamation of hundreds of buildings, a part of the city gnawing into a line of green grass, making it three quarters a desert outpost and one quarter agricultural. Most of the buildings are either stone squares with a flat or a rounded top. Palms and other desert vegetation sprawls from different corners and edges of the sandy city road. The ships halt at a land-based harbor, wherein several sand sailors are anchored on rock platforms, though anchored is not quite the corrects term as they don't actually use anchors. The crew gets off and helps their animal companions to step afoot upon platforms just large enough to fit both animals.

SHA-MO: Alright. If you kids need anything, you can find us at the sandyards most of the time. If you can't find me or Gashiun you'll just tell the others that Sha-Mo gave you his permission.

Everyone nods as they dust some of the sand off of the bison. Gashiun himself jumps off the wooden vessel and removes his googles plus face cover.

GASHIUN: I'll show you guys around the city if you want.

Aang seems skeptical, allowing Azula to take charge.

AZULA: Yes, very much. Perhaps you can end the tour with the governor's palace. We've been meaning to see Bumi for a while.

Gashiun's eyes widen.

GASHIUN: Oh. Okay. Sounds fun.

Azula smirks, the others frown.

---

Luxury is relative. To someone who grew up as the princess of the North Pole, a living space as big as this seems laughable in comparison. To a peasant in the Lower Ring, this would be considered a palace. Yue doesn't really view it as either. It just... is. Any shelves, wardrobes or other furniture meant to be decorated with plants or little gizmos or other stuff are either empty or still have their original decorations on it. What would she put here anyways? You wouldn't decorate your hotel apartment if you knew you were going to leave it eventually. Or rather, hopefully.

She had been granted the right to go outside, under the watchful eye of Kimono Agents of course. Though only for a certain radius. And also - the same problem as with her interior design arose - what was she going to do out there? Even with some slightly more elegant garbs that had been provided for her, it was aggressively obvious to everyone that she was an outsider. A girl of the enemy nation, nonetheless. At least they gave her most of the books she wanted to read. It always takes a while though to vet them, leaving Yue with a somewhat humorous image of a poor Kimono Intern forced to read her silly romance novels before she was allowed to have them herself. One of these days she's going to request a really smutty one just to mess with them.

A wooden clank. Yue isn't sure if she even heard it, or if her mind was playing a trick on her. Usually when she hears the door the agents that follow are anything but subtle in delivering food or changing her bed sheets. This time though-

MAI: Hey.

The shock from having Mai standing behind her seemingly out of nowhere is almost enough to give Yue an asthma attack.

YUE: Great Mother Sedni - don't sneak up on people like that...

Mai walks over to the side of the table on which Yue is going through a chore provided by the Kimono Society.

MAI: How's the patchwork going?

As she sits down, Yue rolls her eyes, lifting up a pair of Royal Guard pants, a large hole in the knee.

YUE: Aggravating. The more pants I fix the more laundry I get. Seriously, what are these palace guards doing that ruins their clothes like that?

Mai shrugs, one leg folded over the other as she sits down.

MAI: My best guess is that they're going to keep you occupied for as long as you're here.

Yue nonchalantly puts the pair back on her kitchen table.

YUE: Great. Can't wait...

She falls back, hugging herself as her emotions start boiling up a bit again.

YUE: No new news from my father then?

Mai sighs, trying to be a bit more vulnerable as well. As vulnerable as Mai can possibly be.

MAI: No. And I doubt we'll get any soon unless your father becomes the new Great Chief.

Yue's chest rises and sinks with her exhale of disappointment.

YUE: Right. So you're here about something else.

She picks up her needle and thread again, continuing her mundane task as the Crescent Warrior reluctantly explains.

MAI: There has been an... incident. I can't give you all the intel, obviously, but I do have to make sure that you're safe.

YUE: Safe from whom?

MAI: Safe from the government that is currently holding you as a prisoner.

The princess tries keeping a stern face as she pulls the string upwards.

YUE: I have already told them everything I know. Have I not betrayed my people enough to be left alone?

Mai decides to fold her report paper and stuff it back in her shirt.

MAI: I chased down a waterbender in the city.

This seems to have gotten the princess's attention.

MAI: He killed himself rather than give up any information. We have direct proof of a large Water Tribe intelligence operation and it's making everyone lose their mind.

Yue puts down her tools again. Her voice genuinely trembles with fear.

YUE: And... you think I'm... connected to this?

MAI: I don't. I doubt Shahar or Tamao or anyone really does. But they're all letting their fear take charge. And whenever someone allows themselves to be controlled by their fear, bad things happen.

Having calmed down a bit, Yue chooses her next words very carefully.

YUE: My own father doesn't have the authority to bargain for his daughter's safety. I have almost no combat experience and a physical impairment. If I am to be punished as a martyr for my people then so be it, but history will not remember the Earth Kingdom as the hero of that story.

Mai gets up in frustration, an odd sight to see the goth girl emote more.

MAI: Your noble-sacrifice-routine is a waste of time! There's real threat out there for you and I'm the only person in this city who is trying to stop it.

Sufficiently angered, Yue gets up too.

YUE: I don't owe you my gratitude or my friendship! You are my captor, and I will see you as that until the day I DIE!

Her voice cracks on that last word, so do the waterworks. The overwhelming dread she had been stuffing down for weeks in an attempt to come off as proud, is ultimately too much. She falls back on her chair, hiding her face under a cover of long black hair and her palms. The noise of her sobbing brings Mai to her knees, quite literally, her raspy voice taking on a softer note.

MAI: It's okay. It's okay...

Yue snivels and gasps, trying her very hardest to get back to a state capable of conversation.

YUE (in tears): I'm so powerless. I have always been powerless, and I will die powerless.

She manages to get back a bit more of her strength, Mai having gently grabbed both her hands in a successful attempt to comfort her.

YUE (teary): If I don't die as a prisoner, I'll just die being shipped off to some royal prince somewhere. I love my people but... I can't do this. I can't do any of this.

MAI: Sounds like you should've stayed back at the North Pole instead of coming here.

Yue snickers a bit through the pain.

YUE (teary): No. I don't regret it. I don't regret having loved Kenora, I don't regret having gone on this journey. I don't regret having helped them escape when we met in the sewer.

Mai is washed in guilt, remembering her official first encounter with Princess Yue.

MAI: Sorry I was throwing stuff at you. If it gives you any comfort, I never aim to kill. And I'm pretty precise.

Yue conjures up a smile. Shortly after, reality sets back in.

YUE (teary): So what are you going to write on your report card then?

The discomfort hits the stoic warrior like an earthbending train.

---

Their ship has set sail for a southern port, though Kenora hasn't presented her new strategy yet. For now, with the green cliffs in the distance, Akari spends some of her alone time further perfecting her airbending. She took lots of mental notes from her last encounters with Ty Lee in the hopes of using her superior airbending against her when-

KENORA: What did you mean?

Akari comedically loses her focus, almost accidentally blasting a wind current in her own face.

AKARI: Don't sneak up on me like-

Her temper disappears somewhat as she realizes who she is talking to.

AKARI: Sorry. That was... uncalled for.

Upon figuring out that Akari is intimidated, Kenora tries to loosen up a bit.

KENORA: No uh... no need. Just answer my question, please.

Akari blinks comically.

AKARI: Oh. Uh... well... you have to be a bit more specific then.

Kenora crosses her arms, Akari trying to evade as she wipes her face with a towel.

KENORA: When you said you could tell that I was... a different kind of girl. What did you mean?

Akari shrugs.

AKARI: I don't know. Like I said, it's experience.

Kenora blinks comically as well.

KENORA: Wha- we- - what is that supposed to mean? What kind of experience are we talking abou-

As soon her captain falls silent, Akari, back still turned to her, blushes slightly.

KENORA: Oh. Oh...

The athlete quickly turns around, looking rather embarrassed.

AKARI: Don't... tell anyone. I'm not exactly... public about it.

To see the tough girl almost a foot taller than Kenora flair up like that is... truly astounding. And Kenora won't waste any time to be smug about it.

KENORA: Oh well, apologies. I know how you feel. Call it experience.

As Kenora smirks Akari frowns.

AKARI: Ha-ha. Well, then you also know how little I don't want people to find out before I'm comfortable myself with it.

Kenora shrugs.

KENORA: Sure thing.

The waterbender was hoping to transfer some of her own amusement over to the airbender, something that she doesn't succeed at, causing her to be a bit more serious.

KENORA: Hey, don't worry, I'm only teasing you. I won't tell a soul.

Her brows far above her eyes that shout insecurity, Akari ultimately nods.

KENORA: I do know how you feel about others finding out. So don't worry about it.

With a hint of humble energy, the captain leaves. Akari lets out a sigh of relief before spotting someone else in the corner of her eye.

Suki, standing with her arms crossed like a specter, coldly stares at the girl. Not knowing at first what to do about it, Akari finally runs up to her, seeking shade from this angle of the metal ship.

AKARI: Are you spying on me?

The nervousness creeps back into her system.

SUKI: No, I'm not spying on you. I wanted to talk to you.

Akari gulps inaudibly.

AKARI: About?

SUKI: "About"? About Kenora, obviously.

Akari frowns confused.

SUKI: Remember how we were talking about... replacing her with Katara?

The athlete feels conflicted.

AKARI: That was before. Kenora was... she was reckless in the past, sure. I felt it myself, believe me. But she's got it together now.

Suki too frowns.

SUKI: So you trust her? After she lied to us about Sokka?

The airbender turns to the sea, leaning herself on the metal railing. Her thoughts dwell on Ty Lee for a moment.

AKARI: I think she just felt... hurt by him. It didn't change anything about our goal to capture Sokka, so I can see why she maybe didn't want to be exposed like that.

Suki holds firm.

SUKI: What about the Avatar?

Akari can pretty solidly dismiss that one.

AKARI: I don't believe his story either. Other world? That sounds like something he made up to divide us. I think he has some way of knowing this stuff that's more easily explained.

Suki scoffs, making Akari more than uneasy.

SUKI: Well, then I suppose you have no trouble in so easily forgiving our dear captain. The rest of us are still concerned about all this stuff.

Now Akari frowns back, this time defensively.

SUKI: If you want to be friends with the person that hit you in the face, be my guest.

AKARI: You're friends with a girl whose family wiped out your people! Don't come at me like that.

The swordfighter shudders, fear displayed across her features as she quickly runs off back inside the ship.

AKARI (to herself): Dammit.

To think all of his came from a simple blush.

---

Despite being of massive size reminding Azula of Ba Sing Se, in almost every other way the city of Goldmouth is nothing like the Earth Kingdom's capital. The city seems lofty and sprawling, housing that is neither solid rock structures nor flimsy wooden shacks, but rather reddish adobe cubes sprawled with a lot of space and vegetation in between. After all, the city planning here allows for a lot more freedoms that in the tight cage that are those massive walls.

The slender Gashiun leads them to your standard tourist spots, with some more informative parts of town mixed in between to give it all a sense of seriousness.

A sprawling food market stuffed with various desert meats and little greens, which reminds the Fire Nation siblings a lot of their own home cuisine.

One of the city's post offices showcases an interesting one-person sandbender gliding system, Gashiun letting the gang know that animals are too sparce in the desert to be used for this.

They also walk past by a familiar-looking bodyguard and, after their guide asks them if they would like to see the city's fortuneteller, Aang swiftly declines the offer, upsetting only Azula.

A volleyball-like game with funnels and a net barrier is played on one of the many outdoor sports parks. Aang has a long-overdue "aha"-moment when being explained that this is the famed Waterball.

They find their way past a local restaurant as well, though seeing as it's too busy Gashiun changes his mind on going in. Azula makes the educated guess that the boy feared having to pay for everyone and didn't bother asking if the Dream Team had any money of their own.

GASHIUN: Alright, there's one last stop and then I'll leave you be.

He says this as they stroll past the only landmark Aang remembers - the gigantic block of ice in a town square. It's actually even slightly taller than Aang remembers.

AZULA: This place is nothing like Ba Sing Se. Everything seems a lot more... loose.

She looks to a man wearing long robes and no pants walking by. Gashiun chuckles, almost insultingly.

GASHIUN: No, we're not like Ba Sing Se at all. We're not really too crazy about the idea of rules and walls and all that. Plus this city has a lot more welfare and wealth sharing programs that keep everyone on a mostly equal level. We got no rich snobby types in charge of everything.

Bandit snickers joyfully.

BANDIT: Sounds like my kind of place!

The two earthbenders briefly exchange a smile.

AZULA: You really know a lot for a teenager. I'm impressed.

The boy frowns in confusion.

GASHIUN: Thanks?

He turns back facing the way forward, leading them through an alleyway shortcut.

BANDIT (to Azula): Are you just going to hit on every boy we come across?

Azula flares up in a mixture of rage and embarrassment.

AZULA (nervous): I wi- I am not hitting on everyone! You're clearly projecting.

BANDIT: I'm twelve.

TY LEE: Well, there was the time with Haru.

BANDIT: Yeah, and don't forget about Jet.

Now Azula goes awfully quiet.

AZULA: How do you...

Bandit shrugs.

BANDIT: We asked him. He didn't really hold back with the details.

Azula comes to a pathetic standstill, the rest of the gang walking past by her, Ty Lee as the exception.

TY LEE: Your... your aura is weird.

Azula intimidatingly inhales and exhales through her flared-up nostrils.

AZULA: That... is what is looks like when I'm about to kill someone.

---

A few more minutes and the kids land at what is perhaps the most impressive sight in Goldmouth. Aang had been spotting some weird, shiny structure in the distance the whole time. He is now finally able to gawk at it in awe.

GASHIUN: This is the Cube of Bendigo. The city's most spiritual holy sight.

Despite this apparent importance, the massive block of gold with blue lines running across the center is not guarded or protected by any barriers.

ZUKO: It's pretty amazing.

TY LEE: Yeah. I can feel so much energy around it.

GASHIUN: It is pretty amazing. Not a single Water Tribe soldier in a hundred years has ever seen it.

All eyes subtly wander over to Sokka, who, in his new brown top and grey pants, blends in pretty well into the Earth Kingdom now.

SOKKA: Uh. Yeah. Pretty cool.

AZULA: What does it mean though?

Now all eyes comically wander over to Azula, who stands a little secluded from the rest.

AZULA: A giant cube made from gold? You're not telling me that you guys collected a bunch of gold and formed this for fun, are you?

Gashiun scoffs. He gently places his hand against the cube, signaling everyone to listen closely and respectfully. Ty Lee jabs the firebender in the side just to make sure she gets it.

---

The scene shifts to a set of ancient Egyptian-like wall paintings that tell the story of Goldmouth.

GASHIUN (voiceover): More than a hundred years ago, when most of the tribes of Si Wong still practiced the old nomadic ways, there was one man who sought to change that. His name was Hupasiya.

A painting with crude animation of a man tending to his crops.

GASHIUN (voiceover): His dream was to settle all of our people and switch to agriculture, much like the rest of the Earth Kingdom had long before that.

Hupasiya's crops dry and die out as he frowns in shock.

GASHIUN (voiceover): But the desert is a ruthless place. His venture didn't succeed.

Hupasiya is seen walking over and praying on a dune hill.

GASHIUN (voiceover): He turned to the spirits of the desert, Arinna, the Goddess of the Sun, and Tarḫunna, the God of Storms. His prayers were eventually heard...

A bearded spirit on a cloud with muscley arms appears next to a woman in a honey-colored gown with a round headdress from which vines sprawl. Hupasiya looks up fearfully.

GASHIUN (voiceover): They promised to fulfil his wish, but only if he shared his gifts with the world. He agreed.

Arinna dissolves and Tarḫunna holds his hands up. Storm clouds, thunder, and rain follow.

GASHIUN (voiceover): What you know as Ogro's Storm, our people call Tarḫunna's Storm. It raged for a longer than any storm had ever before, and it allowed for vegetation to grow. A part of the Si Wong Desert had turned green.

Hupasiya is seen overly joyful as plants grow faster and faster. Next he is seen reaping his rewards.

GASHIUN (voiceover): He became the richest man in the desert and the Earth Kingdom as a whole. As a terrible war raged, more and more people settled in the desert, making him even richer.

A large palace overseeing a growing city becomes Hupasiya's new home. But, he is seen angry for some reason.

GASHIUN (voiceover): Yet, despite getting his way, despite introducing agriculture to Si Wong, many of the desert tribes refused to give up the old ways, the Hami Tribe being the biggest one. It didn't mean much at first, but after a while, Hupasiya grew fearful of the nomads. He grew convinced that they were plotting against him and planning to steal his many riches.

Hupasiya is seen assembling soldiers and scaring his new city subjects.

GASHIUN (voiceover): He paid for one of the largest mercenary armies the Earth Kingdom had ever seen. Yet, the night before his conquest...

Hupasiya, wandering the very same town square the gang is on right now, startles in fear as Arinna and Tarḫunna appear over him once again.

GASHIUN (voiceover): The gods of the desert were angry at the man, for he had betrayed their trust and broken his promise. As punishment, he would get all the riches he always desired...

The spirits enchant the man in some weird way before disappearing. He is relieved at first, yet as he opens his mouth...

GASHIUN (voiceover): ...a terrible curse...

...a stream of gold nuggets falls out.

GASHIUN (voiceover): He had been given gold mouth. When his men came searching for him, they found his dead body in a pile of gold pieces. He tried screaming for help, but the chunks only larger and larger, eventually chocking him to death.

The mercenaries, new villagers, and sandbenders all show up to get gold from the pile.

GASHIUN (voiceover): The soldiers left, as did Hupasiya's riches. This is when Arinna's and Tarḫunna's father showed up... Bendigo.

A mosaic pattern appears on the sky, one which has no face at all but still appears angry.

GASHIUN (voiceover): He was more angry with his children for having meddled in human affairs than for anything Hupasiya had done. As a cenotaph for the people of the desert and any other spirits, he turned Hupasiya's body into a giant gold cube.

Like described, Hupasiya's corpse morphs into the shape of the same landmark that the gang is looking at right now.

---

GASHIUN: It's a legend, so make of it what you will. But it is the story behind the Cube of Bendigo. And it is what gave our city its name.

AANG: Goldmouth. Like what happened to Hupasiya after he broke his promise.

Bandit blows the tips of her bangs away.

BANDIT: Sounds like he got what he deserved.

Gashiun smirks, letting everyone know that he fully agrees.

GASHIUN: It's one thing to mess with the people, it's a whole other thing for you to mess with the spirits.

He looks over to Aang.

GASHIUN: You should know what I mean.

AANG: Yeah. Giant jungle monkeys, haunted ice temples, glowing dogs...

GASHIUN: Sounds like travelling with you is pretty fun.

Aang looks at the rest of his friends reassuringly. Bandit and Sokka still seem a little uneasy and Azula tries to not look too embarrassed.

---

Rather than stare out to the coast, Kenora feels more at ease gazing into the endless horizon placed on the ocean blue. She was always more at ease watching the waves than anything going on on the land. Including people.

They would soon reach the Eastern Port, the only stronghold the Water Tribe has in this part of the continent. Heavily armored and fortified. From they're they could... they could...

She could do... something? But... what? What is she to do now? Where is she to-

Her train of thoughts pauses abruptly as she catches herself clenching her hand above her sternum. It was a common gesture not too long ago. Whenever she felt lost she would grab and hold her mother's necklace. Whenever she felt like finding her was an impossible goal, that she needed to give up, it gifted her confidence.

It feels like a lifetime ago now.

This time Kenora catches Kanna before the old woman could sneak up on her. Or perhaps she allowed her to be discovered in time.

KANNA: Despite the desert being so many miles away, you can still feel the dry heat out here on the ocean.

She walks up next to Kenora, the girl averting her eyes.

KENORA: Sure.

There's something different about the captain this time. She's unlike back in the forest on their little ride-out. The Chief Mother just can't quite tell what it is. Although she has a hunch.

KANNA: I wanted to ask you something.

Kenora sighs.

KENORA: We're not making another stop if that's what you're gonna say.

Kanna smiles, not as an insult, but to try to appear as warm as possible towards the girl.

KANNA: I wanted to hear how you defeated the firebender in combat.

Kenora's eyes freeze in shock.

KENORA: How did you-

KANNA: I did treat the injuries on your torso. They didn't come from a sword and certainly not an airbender.

Kenora feels the side of her stomach again. While the pain is mostly gone, she is left with a pretty gnarly scar from two of the scratch wounds. She frowns.

KENORA: What's there to say? She tried to trick me but I was stronger.

She thinks back to the terrifying darkness and the massive bang that felt like a bomb going off in front of her.

KENORA: Although she did try to blow me up or something. Drew her fingers all crazy like a waterbender. It was odd.

Kanna's face muscles briefly relax in surprise.

KANNA: Lightning bending.

Kenora turns to the old woman in a hurry.

KENORA: What?

Kanna takes a deep breath before her face returns to a stern shape.

KANNA: It's an old firebending technique. It's very rare and only appears a few times in history. Especially since the war started.

Kenora looks back at the waters below...

KENORA: Lightning...

...before looking back at Kanna.

KENORA: Why didn't she shoot lightning then? Why the bang?

Kanna unfolds her arms, crossing them instead.

KANNA: It's a very difficult technique. If positive and negative energy are not stabilized and separated correctly, the energy surges back together in an extremely short amount of time, thus creating an explosion.

The Chief Mother gives Kenora a worried expression.

KANNA: You must be very careful. If she masters this energy, there's little you can do against it. As you can imagine, blocking an incoming lightning strike with water can be incredibly dangerous. The lightning could be transmitted from the wave to your heart, killing you instantly.

Kenora shudders at the though. Does that mean...

KENORA: She was trying to kill me.

The thought is harrowing. Too harrowing to be true.

KANNA: She doesn't strike me as a killer.

Kenora nods.

KANNA: But not every deadly blow is struck with a purpose. It's what makes death so frightening. It can happen just as easily by accident as by will.

Kenora thinks back to the end of their fight. She wasn't going to... kill Azula. She just wanted her to...

She shudders at herself.

KANNA: Everything alright?

Kenora blankly stares into the distance.

KENORA: I wanted her to feel pain.

Kanna feels a mix of shock and confusion.

KANNA: What?

KENORA: When I beat her I just... I felt so angry. I wanted her to feel that.

Her memory gets stuck on a loop on the image of Sokka, having betrayed and attacked her for the second time. Kanna very carefully sequences out the next few words uttered.

KANNA: I always admired you for fighting with a purpose.

She pauses, waiting for Kenora to look back.

KANNA: But you can never let vengeance be that purpose, for if you allow it to consume a part of you, before you know it, it will have consumed all of you.

Kenora lets the words sink in. She misses her mother's necklace now more than ever, hanging her head over the railing with a sigh of defeat.

KENORA: I need your advice.

Kanna is intrigued.

KANNA: About?

KENORA: How to continue.

The captain's voice reeks of emotion and sincerity.

KENORA: I don't know how to succeed in catching the Avatar. We're always just... one step behind. Whenever we manage to get close, something like this thing with Katara happens.

She rubs her face in shame.

KENORA: I'm beginning to think it's pointless to catch him.

KANNA: I agree.

Kenora seems appalled.

KANNA: When I served with Bato, he came to a similar crossroads of his destiny. I advised him to choose his own path, he ignored it.

KENORA: What happened?

Both already know the answer.

KANNA: He allowed himself to be consumed by vengeance.

Feeling like the conversation needs to be resolved here and now, Kanna opts to walk away.

KANNA: Water is the element of change, captain.

Kenora looks back outside into the distance. The cold waves clash gently against the ship's hull.

KANNA: We need to change with it.

---

GASHIUN: Here we are.

He halts at an interconnected system of structures much like the rest of Goldmouth has, though here they are much taller, with odd spiky shapes running across the roofs, rather than the domed tops.

GASHIUN: This is where the Governor-General resides. I can't help you from here on out.

Aang politely gestures with a bow.

AANG: We thank you for your insight.

Gashiun nods, finding Bandit in particular somewhat interesting.

GASHIUN: See you around.

With that, he disappears into an alley and out of sight. The gang has a moment to collect their thoughts in peace, although Azula does note how odd it is that there are no guards present.

TY LEE: How are you feeling Aang? Excited to see your old friend Bumi?

Aang scratches his head.

AANG: I hope he hasn't changed too much. We could really use his help.

GUARD: Hold it right there!

As soon as the roaring voice is heard, a whole legion of guards sandbends out of nowhere, cornering all of the kids plus animals at the palace entrance.

AZULA: See, I thought something was off.

GUARD: You are under arrest!

The gang doesn't quite know if they should fight back or wait-

Bandit decides to take action and knocks over one of the soldiers with her bending, a set of metal chains restraining her limbs the immediate answer. Subsequently, the rest of the gang is also put in cuffs right after.

AZULA: Good job, Bandit. Really glad to have you on the team.

Bandit frowns as she struggles to free herself.

AANG: What are we being arrested for? I am the Avatar and I demand to speak to Governor-General Bumi!

GUARD: We have orders to arrest you for being an imposter. You are not the Avatar!

Deep unrest grows in all of them, Aang most of all.

---

Act III. - The Mad King

---

The inside of the governor's palace is plastered with massive pillars in a provokingly aggressive red color, black tops to round it all up. The spacious architecture and the wall murals depicting the origin story of Goldmouth give the entire building a feeling of walking through a museum.

AZULA: This Hupasiya really liked his crass colors, huh?

None of the guards answer.

SOKKA: I doubt that he had it painted like that. Wouldn't make sense to cover the walls in the story of his own death.

Azula reacts more than a little displeased about getting commentary from Sokka.

AZULA: Yeah. I know. I was just trying to lighten the mood.

Bandit interjects, still struggling in a complicated array of metal chains and being carried by the palace guards, whose uniforms are mostly similar to the other Earth Kingdom outfits, though theirs include a lot more yellow and strange egg-shaped helmets.

BANDIT: How is that lightening the mood at all?!

AANG: Don't be afraid, guys. I have this under control.

His friends in chains exchange confused looks.

AANG: As soon as Bumi sees me, he'll recognize who I am.

He turns around, signaling to them that something similar happened in his world.

AANG: I had a similar experience like this.

His friends nod.

Shortly after, one of the guards opens a tall set of doors to a relatively modest-looking throne room of sorts. On the wall ahead of them, beautiful murals of Arinna and Tarḫunna depict them as if guarding the seat in the center. A seat on which a familiar figure is watching them.

Aang reacts slightly thrown off, as his old friend is wearing something he had never seen him in - a military uniform, that of a general to be precise. His tousled, white hair was unfortunately not enough to form a top knot that is otherwise standard with every other general. Still. something about this Bumi seems off.

The convoy stops and Bumi admires them with over-the-top expressions.

GUARD: We arrested these kids like you instructed, Governor-General. What are we to do with them?

While Bumi obnoxiously taps his fingers on his jaw, Azula makes one step forward.

AZULA: I demand that we are freed this instant.

She points with her cuffed hands towards Aang.

AZULA: This is Aang. He's the Avatar. And he knows Bumi from before the war started.

The guards start whispering amongst each other, completely stunned by the information.

AANG: It's true.

Aang gives his old friend a long, warm smile. The Bumi in his world went missing after Sozin's Comet. He had always expected the worst.

GUARD: Governor-General? I- is that true?

Bumi slowly raises his arm.

BUMI: He...

The entire Dream Team is on the edge of their seats.

BUMI: ...is lying.

A deep sense of betrayal paralyzes Aang, forcing Azula once again to take charge.

AZULA: Are you deaf, old man? This is your friend! He visited you in Omashu before it got conquered. Ring any bells?

BUMI (circus music plays while he talks): No, my bells are in the music room. Would you like me to get them?

SOKKA: We're in serious trouble. This guy is nuts.

Bumi suddenly jolts up from his seat.

BUMI: The Aang I knew was sprawling with joy and life. This one hasn't done anything funny the whole time.

Azula comically gestures for Aang to do something funny. The boy looks around in distress.

AANG: Uh... does anyone have any marbles?

Bumi sits down again and grunts with the displeasure of a senior citizen.

BUMI: I sentence them to...

Aang finally gets the right idea.

AANG: Wait! Before you sentence us to anything, I propose something else.

The old man is intrigued.

BUMI: I'm listening.

AANG: How about instead you... make me go through some trials? Maybe even challenges?

The rest of his friends and the palace guards are all deeply confused.

BUMI: Hm... well, as it just so happens, I have something like that prepared already.

AZULA & ZUKO & TY LEE & SOKKA & BANDIT: What?!

RANDOM GUARD (quietly in the back): Oh, so that's what that was...

AANG: Great! Let me complete your challenges.

Bumi ponders for a moment.

BUMI: No.

AZULA: Aaand we're out of options already. Fantastic.

To her surprise, Bumi reacts rather positively to her comment.

BUMI Ah-ha-ha - SNORT - ah-ha-ha - SNORT!

He gets up again, hunched over appropriately for his age.

BUMI: Now this one is funny!

This is where Azula gets an idea.

AZULA: How about I complete your challenges instead? Would be more fun than watching this grouch do it.

AANG (mumbling to Azula): Azula... you don't even know what-

AZULA: Meh, ballyhoo. I'm sure I can handle it.

As soon as she turns back around, the Governor-General is standing right in front of her.

BUMI: I would've just sentenced you to a week of community service, but sure. I'll let you complete my challenges instead...

He stops, not knowing her name.

AZULA: Azula.

BUMI: ...Azula. But beware...

He gestures for a new set of guards to show up. Everyone in the gang but the firebender girl gets an odd rock ring put on their finger. One which immediately grows right after.

BUMI: Should you fail, it might be a rather quick stay for them in my city.

Azula gulps, though her nerves are calmed as she gets a reassuring nod from Aang.

AZULA (crossing her arms): Let's do it.

---

After a short tour to a massive hall Azula finds herself on the edge of a giant, gaping sand pit. Bumi, the gang (minus Azula & animals) and two guards are placed on a balcony overlooking the deadly trap, which swallows sand into an abyss as dark as the night.

BUMI: It seems I've lost my lunch box key and I'm hungry. Ooh, there it is!

He points to the center of the ceiling, from which a steel chain dangles a small key over the middle of the pit. A few sharp rock pillars are placed at seemingly random spots in the arena.

BUMI: Would you mind fetching it for m-

Azula places her fingers in her mouth, whistling in a sharp, loud tone. Seconds later, through one of the hall's windows, a little soaring lemur appears.

AZULA (communicating to Sabachi): Watch it.

The animal chirps, flying in a circle around the key, right before Azula aims her finger directly towards the dangling chain. Shortly after, and with little effort at this point, Azula flings a tiny blue flame with the precision of a dart, separating the key from the metal and allowing Sabachi to catch it in time, after which it drops it into a confused-looking Bumi's hand.

AZULA (admiring her nails): There. Enjoy your lunch.

The old man comedically reacts with shock, having not expected his fun little parkour course to be solved this easily. Aang on the other hand smirks, though he does it precisely because of this. For a second he and Azula exchange a warm smile, something that they haven't done since she was the only one who knew about his secret.

---

With that quickly over, they move next to a different room in the palace, one which is equally as big, though now Azula finds herself in an animal enclosure made of stone, the ground being soft and sandy, even having some bush and vegetation growing. So far the jennamite rings have only grown a few inches. Though somehow the one on Zuko is covering his whole hand already.

BUMI: Your little pet served you well in your first quest. But oh - it seems I've lost my Flopsie.

Aang smiles as he remembers the creature. At least Flopsie didn't get lost in his world.

AZULA: Really? That's it? I'm supposed to find your pet animal?

Sabachi chirps on her shoulder. Bumi tries to play cool.

BUMI: Oh, I'm sure you'll find it more than interesting...

Just as he says it, a lop-eared rabbit hops out of a hole, squeaking excitedly at the firebender.

AZULA (waving the rabbit away): Sush. Get lost.

The little bunny looks quite heartbroken as it scampers back into its burrow. Suddenly, loud footsteps tremble below her, alerting her to the presence of something else.

Leap by leap, a terrifying creature, half goat, half gorilla, charges Azula with what looks like deadly intend-

AZULA: Ah.

It stops in an instant, the firebender holding out the palm of her hand.

AZULA: Good boy. Roll over, Flops.

She spins her hand and Flopsie follows suit, eventually rolling on his back and allowing Azula give it scratchies as he taps his foot. Once again Bumi and the others are completely in awe while Aang smiles profusely.

---

The Eastern Bay offers adequate protection in the form of a mighty cliff towering with a tall shadow that engulfs every anchored ship there, including the Pāpaka. With the sun setting over the mainland in the back, the entire crew is gathered on the main deck, Kenora, Kanna, Zorak, and the rest of the Princess Squad gathered at the helm. Why the captain has ordered everyone for an address is unknown, with most of the crowd mumbling amongst each other at a low volume.

KENORA: Can I have everyone's attention?

The whispers only partly disperse and Kenora frowns angrily.

KENORA: That was an order!

Everyone shuts up at once. The waterbender has the floor now, a nervous sigh escaping her mouth before speaking.

KENORA: I want to thank everyone who is a part of this ship. Without your help, our travels would've been impossible. You are the true foundation of our mission.

The men, mostly young recruits, cooks and other service members, seem to take the compliment rather well, lots of smiles and some whistling in the crowd popping up. It pleases Kenora very much to see that.

KENORA: Our mission to hunt down the Avatar and bring back the prince continues. However, the Avatar is most likely on his way to Goldmouth. I assume he has arrived there already.

Mumbling and uncertainty returns to the men. The squad members, Chief Mother, and Zorak all seem intrigued as well by this blatant admission of weakness.

KENORA: If we wish to succeed in our endeavor, we need to change our strategy. It is for this reason that I am heading to Goldmouth tonight.

Tension turns to surprise.

KENORA: I will personally conduct intel gathering in the city and return as soon as an opportunity presents itself. I will lead this mission alone.

Timidly, she turns around.

KENORA: Unless... anyone here would like to join.

For a moment Akari thinks about stepping forth. Would it be the right thing? A short glance from Suki helps her in her decision.

Kenora sighs.

KENORA: No one? I see. Very well.

She turns back to-

KANNA: I will join you.

The captain jolts back again. She won't say it or show it, but Kenora is greatly relieved to have at least one person along for this. She really thought Akari might join her.

KATARA: Well, that's all very interesting - and I'm happy that you've found a way to continue. But... what about the ship?

This is where Kenora reveals her trump card with a smirk.

KENORA: The Crown Princess is right.

With true showmanship, she turns to the crowd as she gestures Katara to move forward.

KENORA: We'll need a captain while I'm gone. And since this ship's secondary mission is to show our great nation that women are equally capable of leadership...

Katara's eyes widen and she almost audibly gasps. She immediately goes down on one knee right after.

KATARA: Kenora, I- I can't accept this, I-

KENORA: Yes, you can.

She takes Katara's hand, lifting her up and allowing her to feel the pride protruded by this moment. Kenora also has to try her darndest not to blush at the beautiful smile of the princess.

KENORA: I, Kenora of the Moraine Barracuda Clan, Princess of Whale Tale Island, hereby declare you, Crown Princess Katara of the Wolf Clan, a captain. May Sedni look kindly upon you.

Katara doesn't quite know how to express her joy. In contrast to this, the crowd goes absolutely berserk for their princess, howling and screaming and celebrating with the excitement of a graduation ceremony. Suki, Kanna, and Akari all engulf her in a hug, Zorak remaining on the sidelines clapping for now.

KANNA: I am so proud of my little princess.

Tears stream down Katara's face. Notably, Kenora is missing from the group hug. She doesn't feel like she quite deserves it after everything-

AKARI: Join us.

Only Akari extends her hand. Even Suki doesn't seem to mind. Perhaps the Pirate Princess is finally able to redeem herself.

As she joins them, a few tears show up on her face as well.

ZORAK: I must say - even if we fail in our mission to free the prince, all of you have done more than a good job of showing just how fierce girls can be. Let's hope this kind of energy continues into the future.

The girls (& old woman) disperse and smile at the thespian teacher. Katara uses the opportunity to give Kenora a singular, personal hug.

KATARA: Be careful out there you two. Okay?

This time the captain can't hold back her blush.

---

SHAHAR: What is this?!

Mai did expect Shahar to slam the door upon entering, yet she didn't expect her to do it with this much force. The assassin is seated on a chair with one leg over the other, an attempt to come off as relaxed in comparison.

MAI: You're going to have to be a bit more specific.

Shahar doesn't hesitate to walk around the Crescent Warrior, placing herself behind her desk as she slams a piece of paper onto it.

SHAHAR: A pardon form? For the Water Tribe girl? And you hand it to my boss instead of giving it to me directly!?

MAI: Obviously it never reached her, so I did the correct thing.

As Mai turns her neutral demeanor takes on an angered tone. The girl crosses her arms as she gets up and Shahar starts reading her writing.

SHAHAR (reading): "Due to her unwavering cooperation and the threat assessment being minimal, I whole-heartedly recommend the immediate pardon and release of Princess Yue."

The sheet flaps as she slams it down again.

SHAHAR: Arinna and Tarḫunna - have you gone mad!?

MAI: No, I'm being practical.

Shahar walks away from her desk and Mai as the warrior continues.

MAI: She is helpless and alone being kept in a cage. If we want-

SHAHAR: False. She was kept in a cage. She is a beautiful house now. Bigger than anything I've ever lived in.

Mai briefly goes silent. But alas, her coldly expressed determination does not waver.

MAI: If we want her to fully cooperate - you know what? Screw that language - if we want her not to be miserable, we have to start treating her like an individual. Like a human being-

SHAHAR: Everyone is miserable right now!

Shahar's response shoots out crooked and wavy, unlike her usual clear way of speaking. The girl grunts, kicking over one of the chairs.

SHAHAR: Fong was exposed by the King earlier. He's going to get treated like absolute shit for the rest of his career.

The earthbender turns back towards Mai, gesturing wildly as she continues.

SHAHAR: The King is more paranoid than ever, Madame Tamao is afraid of being arrested every day that she doesn't give him any leads, and I-

Her tirade stops as some repressed emotions escapes through her tear ducts.

SHAHAR (teary): And I messed it all up. We could've had the guy if I didn't throw up like some sick child.

She massages her face, ruining some of her mascara. For the second time that day, Mai rushes to calm someone...

MAI: It's okay. We'll find-

SHAHAR: No.

...however this time, the person in need of comfort refuses.

SHAHAR: I will have to fix this. You go ahead and continue to worry about one North Pole princess while the rest of us eat each other alive in our paranoia.

Mai hesitates for a moment, not fully sure if she should try to offer her sympathies again or not. She decides to go for the door.

MAI: I'm sorry.

As she grabs the handle-

SHAHAR: Remember what you told me about Aang? About the other world?

Mai turns around halfway.

MAI: Only what Ty Lee told me.

Shahar scoffs.

SHAHAR: In this... other world, the Earth Kingdom didn't fall because they broke through our walls, or because an army conquered us.

The Kimono Agent walks over to her corkboard of suspects, Yue's picture still on it.

SHAHAR: It fell because the people on the inside would eat each other alive rather than face their enemies as one.

She turns back towards Mai.

SHAHAR: We cannot allow ourselves to make such mistakes. Trusting Yue this easily, I believe, is one such mistake.

Mai averts her face again as she opens the door...

MAI: Whatever.

...before slamming it slightly harder than Shahar did earlier.

---

The last stop in Bumi's whacky challenge run is an indoor arena, complete with a balcony and spectator seats.

BUMI: Your final test is a duel. And as a special treat, you may choose your opponent.

Two mean-looking tough guys appear from the portal. One man is wielding an axe and several scars, the other is rocking a spear, looking just as deadly.

BUMI: Point and cho-

AZULA: I'll pick him.

She points to the confused axe man. Aang once again smirk as Bumi reacts with comical surprise.

BUMI: Bu- but look at how deadly and dangerous he looks.

Her opponent grins in an effort to intimidate her. Azula shrugs.

AZULA: So? I can shoot fire. What's he gonna do?

BUMI: Alright, everyone out.

The goofy clown facade very quickly shatters as the guards and two opponents follow Bumi's command, leaving the Dream Team and the Governor-General alone in the arena. The old man decides to earthbend into the ground, digging himself up in the center of the field, shortly before removing chunks from the balcony, hovering everyone over to him, allowing them to hop off, after which he puts the balcony back against the wall as if nothing happened. The creeping crystal has mostly just covered everyone's hand by now. Well, except Zuko, whose entire right arm is engulfed in a pink layer and is almost causing him to fall over.

AZULA: Got any more challenges for me? Maybe ones that are actually challenging this time?

BUMI: No! No more challenges. You've ruined them...

He smolders and crosses his arms like a small child.

TY LEE: How did you solve them so quickly anyways? It would've taken me ages with that sand pit.

AANG: She solved them by doing what you suggested to me so many years ago. She opened her mind for new possibilities.

Upon hearing this, Bumi finally drops the act, laughing gleefully and with all the vigor that Aang knew him by, both as a kid as well as the old, crazy King of Omashu.

BUMI: Ah-ha-ha-ha - SNORT - Ah-ha-ha-ha - SNORT!

The others are baffled as Aang charges for a hug.

AANG: Bumi, you're a mad genius.

To everyone's collective confusion, Bumi gratefully accepts the hug.

BUMI: Oh Aang, it's good to see you.

ZUKO (on the ground): Uh, a little help here?

Bandit does one quick hand clutch and everyone's jennamite chasms shatter.

SOKKA: You knew it was made from rock the whole time?!

Bandit shrugs dismissively.

BANDIT: We all played our part.

Azula turns to the Governor-General with a raised eyebrow.

AZULA: So, you knew it was Aang the whole time? Why do all of this instead?

Bumi releases Aang from his grasp, picking up one of the jennamite pieces and taking a good bite out of it.

BUMI: First of all, it's pretty fun messing with people - SNORT - but I do have a reason.

He places his wrinkly hand on Aang's exposed shoulder, speaking in a much more serious tone.

BUMI: You may look exactly like you did when I saw you all these years ago, but I can tell that you have gone through much hardship.

Aang hangs his head down, allowing himself to feel the pain for a moment.

BUMI: As soon as I saw you, I knew I wanted to cheer you up with some good old-fashioned nonsense.

He frowns towards Azula.

BUMI: But I suppose your friend had other plans in mind.

AZULA (admiring her nails): We're on a schedule, gramps.

Aang decides to go with his gut for this next part.

AANG: You're right. There's... something I need to tell you.

He looks back at his friends, patiently awaiting their nods and smiles as reassurance.

BUMI: Is it about you beeing from a different world?

An over-the-top comedic reaction from the entirety of the Dream Team, with Zuko even fainting in the background.

BANDIT: I thought this was a well-guarded secret? You really just out there telling everyone, Aang?

AZULA: How on Earth did you know?

BUMI: Ah-ha - SNORT - just a lucky guess.

As he shrugs it off, Azula, much like her brother, also comically faints.

BUMI: I am truly happy to see you Aang. But I knew from the moment I laid my eyes on you that you're not the Aang I remember. There's something about you that makes you different.

He finishes his speech grabbing Aang's shoulder and squeezing the boy against his own.

BUMI: And we're going to make the best of it to end this war together.

Aang smiles confidently. Ultimately, he's both happy that Bumi tried to make him feel at home and that he is somehow crazy enough to know about his big secret already. Truly a mad genius.

---

Much like in Yu Dao, the Dream Team is given separate rooms (Ty Lee and Zuko of course sharing again), in a palace that is not as nicely furnished and also not as tall. Still, pretty luxurious for a few kids to stay in. Appa and Sledge are both kept in a small patch of green in a courtyard, growling and barking joyfully through the open windows as they get some rest. Sokka is very starkly reminded of the South Pole Palace, though here in the desert such an open design allows days to be bearable and nights to be cool.

Enough about architecture though.

For now, all are gathered in the little dining room lobby connecting their rooms.

AANG: I want to officially apologize to both of you.

Sokka and Bandit nod, though out of the two the prince is clearly more excited.

AANG: I have disappointed and hurt you. I will never let you get imprisoned again, and I will never call you Toph again.

They nod once more.

BANDIT: Seems fair. We can start our earthbending training tomorrow if you want.

Rather than jolting up like an excited kid, Aang calmy gestures with a bow.

AANG: I would be honored, Sifu Bandit.

Bandit nods back. This is when, after Zuko had given his sister mean looks the whole time, Azula steps forth as well.

AZULA: I uh...

AZULA (mumbling to herself): ...need to...

AZULA: ...want to apologize as well. To you. Sokka.

The prince frowns.

SOKKA: Really?

Bandit hits him in the side.

SOKKA: I mean, thank you. I hope we can be friends in the future.

AZULA: Don't get too excited.

Aang chuckles and the firebender has a very hard time in hiding her red cheeks.

SOKKA: Alright. I'd say we'll all get ready for dinner then. I wonder what this Bumi is going to cook for us.

BANDIT: Probably some practical joke...

They all disappear into their individual doors. All except...

AZULA (nervously): Well-

AANG (nervously): Um-

Pause.

AANG: You start.

AZULA: Right. I uh... wanted to say sorry about the desert last night. I was really tired and... not trying to do anything. Like we talked about, I can't really read people that well.

Aang smirks, also slightly blushing from her words.

AANG: I'd say you've come pretty far with that.

Now Azula also gets some color on her face again.

AANG: I just wanted to say I loved the way you solved Bumi's challenges. It took me a while back when I had to do them. It really cheered me up to see you waltz through them like that. You have truly come a long way since I met you on that volcano.

This time blushing is not enough and Azula additionally lets out some hot air through a few chuckles.

AZULA: Don't flatter me like that...

Aang can feel his own heartbeat rising and decides to stop here.

AANG: Alright then. Let's get ready for some desert food, then.

AZULA: Can't wait!

As he walks over to his door, Azula has the overwhelming urge to say something.

AZULA: Don't forget, Aang...

He stops and turns around. Azula improvises on the spot.

AZULA: Uh... I'm not the other Azula. I'm the Cool Azula.

He scoffs nervously.

AANG: Alright Cool Azula. See you at dinner.

And with that, he disappears. A few seconds pass and the shock sets in on Azula.

AZULA (mouthing to herself): "Cool Azula"?!

She sighs, rushing to her room, quickly closing the door behind her-

She stops. Looking to her left, she immediately spots one particular...

TY LEE: Hey...

It takes the firebender all the energy in the world not to freak out.

TY LEE: So, uh... what were you guys talking about?

AZULA (walking over to her bed): Cut the chit-chat Ty Lee.

She allows herself to plunge into the mattress face-first.

AZULA (face buried into the bed): You already know my feelings. I know you never stopped reading my aura.

Ty Lee innocently taps her index fingers together.

TY LEE: I... think it's healthier for you to admit it. You know how much I struggled when I kept my feelings on Zuko all bottled up-

AZULA (face buried in bed): I AM IN LOVE WITH AANG! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!?

She very much is, shrieking in excitement as she plunges into the bed, shaking and hugging the raven-haired girl.

TY LEE: I'm so happy for you! This is so exciting!

AZULA (face in bed): Trust me...

She turns around, staring at the ceiling with nervous anticipation for what the future has to offer.

AZULA: It really is not...

---

Yue stayed up way too late reading again. She's going to regret this when the agents see her tomorrow with frizzled hair and-

A wooden clank. Yue isn't sure if she even heard it, or if her mind was playing a trick on her. Usually when she hears the door the agents that follow are anything but subtle in delivering food or changing her bed sheets. This time though, she grabs her lantern, walking around the dark, empty house.

YUE: Hello?

She turns around in a hurry, thinking she heard something.

Or someone?

YUE: Somebody there?

Surely Mai wouldn't visit her at this hour. And not like this.

Right?

She decides against her shaking fear to investigate, entering her kitchen with a pounding heart. The chair is vacated. The table, however, is not.

A single, wrapped present is placed at the edge. She sits down, placing her lamp next to it as she opens the blue ribbon. A lovely smell immediately hits her tastebuds as she finds a traditional Water Tribe dessert placed in the box. Perhaps Mai had decided to give her a piece of her home-

Her smile disappears as she picks up the backed good, spotting a paper note at the bottom. Her eyes widen as she reads...

---

岳王妃放心。

Do not worry, Princess Yue.

我们很快就会带你离开这里。

We will get you out of here soon.

请务必立即刻录此消息和盒子。

Be sure to burn this message and box immediately.

部落没有忘记你。

The Tribe has not forgotten you.

愿圣灵与你同在。

May the Spirits be with you.

---

Late at night, the moon gently pushes the waves back and forth against the ships anchored, as well as the rocks on the shore.

Like those, Katara stands firmly on the balcony overlooking the ship. Her ship. A sinister smirk appears on her face as no one else is around.

All according to plan.

---

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope you enjoyed a chapter that was a little more low-key with some worldbuilding and character stuff.

Be sure to leave a comment if you have any thoughts^^

Next time we're reaching the halfway point of Book 2 with Episode 10: The Magnetic Palace.

Have a nice weekend :)