AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's been a while so as compensation this chapter is essentially another hour-long special, alongside Book 1's The price of doing business.
Now that I think about it, why did the original show never have hour-long specials? Oh well.
I guess this means Book 3 will also have to have a ridiculously long chapter...
Enjoy!
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 10
The Magnetic Palace
Act I. – The Lone Fox
Ah yes, the desert. A magnificent spot full of sand dunes and the blazing sun cooking the surface below. The best conditions to train the art of producing and directing...
Fire blazes across the sandy courtyard in the palace structure, a glowing orange ball filled with passion and raw power. Yet, it is not quite stable yet, neither does it have the ferocious precision of Azula's blue flares. Zuko is sweating profusely under the combined heat of the scorching Si Wong sun and his own bending abilities. He finishes off one of his forms while breathing heavily.
AZULA: Wrong.
In a comical fashion, Zuko nudges sightly to the side and falls over.
ZUKO: What do you mean? I did the forms exactly how you showed them to me!
AZULA: Yeah, but like, you were just kind of missing that... spark. You know what I mean?
Zuko frowns while sitting up.
ZUKO: No. I don't know what you mean.
Azula shrugs.
AZULA: Oh well. Maybe you'll get it on your fourth attempt. Come on, again.
Zuko grunts in frustration, unleashing much brighter flames from his clenched fists.
AZULA: See? That's what I mean. Try to put more of that energy into your form.
As Zuko gets up and tries the Dancing Dragon again (much angrier this time) Azula admires her nails and gives a not-so-subtle side-eye to their sparing partners in a separate courtyard.
Aang is lifting a set of rock chunks one after the other, his tempo increasing with each motion as he starts perfecting the exercise, Bandit standing by closely and occasionally stomping the ground to try and screw with his balance, unsuccessfully. Azula blushes slightly as she admires the boy.
SOKKA: What are you wearing today?
Capturing her attention, Sokka is picking his ears next to a very quiet Ty Lee, having not given his input until now. The firebender, unsurprisingly, smolders at his comment.
AZULA: What? I'm trying something new.
The "something new" in question is an almost entirely different outfit from what she had been wearing previously in their travels. Fluffy, orange, low-waist pants that go down to her ankles, a set of more comfortable red ballerina slippers, her usual pink shirt with shorter sleeves, crimson features around her chest and pelvis, and even a bit of lipstick and mascara. Only her black wrist protectors and the headpiece survived her transformation. What probably gives her intentions away is the exposed belly.
Sokka snorts.
SOKKA: For what? Having a date later?
She fumes literally and figuratively.
AZULA (angry): No, and how sexist of you to assume that, because I'm trying a new outfit for a change, it's simply to impress a man. Shame on you!
Sokka shrugs. She is of course dressing like this for Aang, but that's not the point.
With a howling roar Zuko finishes off his firebending form with a much larger and angrier ball of fire.
ZUKO (angry): There. You happy?
Only now does Azula turn around.
AZULA: What? Oh, you're done?
Zuko's jaw drops.
ZUKO: Wha- duh-
AZULA: You know, I didn't really pay attention, so just to be sure... do it again.
His demeanor changes rather abruptly from shocked to neutral to furious.
ZUKO: This is exactly why I didn't want to train with you.
Azula steps a little closer.
AZULA (whispering): I know.
She back off again.
AZULA: For the record, you got it right on the... second or third? But I had a suspicion that your firebending is stronger when you're pissed. So I'm going to keep doing that.
She snaps her fingers.
AZULA: Again.
His breath includes loud grunts and, as he extends his arm, he hurls a massive fire blast into the yard, accompanied by a loud howl. This is even enough to get the attention of Aang and Bandit.
AZULA (admiring her nails): I love it when I'm right.
Sokka scoffs quietly, shaking his head and looking for reassurance from Ty Lee.
SOKKA: What do you think of that?
Her response is... nothing. The girl just gives a blank stare into the sand, her pupils vibrating as if lost in a trance. The high-pitched screech in her ear finally subsides after Sokka decides to gently shake her. She immediately eyes her surroundings as if waking up just now.
SOKKA: Everything alright?
She nods slowly at first, then quickly when making eye contact.
TY LEE: I'm fine. I was just... lost in thought.
Sokka frowns.
SOKKA: Alright.
TY LEE: What did I miss?
She flinches at the sight/sound of her otherwise tender boyfriend blasting flames with the wrath of a raging bull, not quite knowing how to feel about it.
Crowded, dusty, loud - just about every synonym of these three words immediately jump to Kenora's mind upon her arrival in Goldmouth. It doesn't help that she can't be repulsed on her own in a situation like this.
KANNA: How are you feeling?
Looking at the old woman and herself in the most generic, olive-colored disguises, only one answer pops up.
KENORA (mat): Green.
Kanna snickers, for some reason humored by Kenora's misfortune.
KANNA: We're in one of the largest metropoles in the Earth Kingdom. Not a single member of the Tribe has set foot here since its inception. Aren't you humbled by this?
Distracting her from being humble, Malu, who Kanna brought with of course, nudges the girl in the arm. While meant to be a kind gesture, Kenora finds this annoying too.
KENORA: I'm sure one or two others have managed. Wasn't exactly hard to be let in.
She frowns at the komodo rhino, who doesn't seem to care particularly about the waterbender's antics.
KENORA: Although it might be bad for our undercover mission to bring a giant non-native species with us.
KANNA: Oh, they won't bother. From what I heard these creatures have spread somewhat into the Earth Kingdom during the war. It won't be a dealbreaker.
Malu snorts up some dust that blows directly in Kenora's face.
KENORA: Great. Just...
She walks ahead of the old woman and her pet, stopping them in their tracks.
KENORA: I'm not mad I just...
The girl sighs, Kanna waiting patiently for her to continue.
KENORA: I am in charge of the mission. I would have simply... preferred it if you asked me ahead of time about bringing the komodo rhino.
Kanna shrugs it off, walking past by her alongside the animal.
KANNA: You would've said no.
KENORA: You don't know that!
Aggravated, she paces after them.
KENORA: And that's not my point. My point is that I want to take care of things. Can you let me do that?
KANNA: Yes.
KENORA: Thank you.
The two women quietly walk next to each other for a few more seconds.
KANNA: Have you found a place to stay yet?
Kenora's heart skips a beat. No, she did not.
KENORA: I'll handle it. This city is massive, how much can an apartment cost?
You can already guess the punchline here.
KENORA (starring at her lease): You want how much money?!
She looks back in a comical reveal shot - a crammed storage closet with old appliances leaned against the wall. Their landlord adjusts his coat before clearing his throat.
LANDLORD: Well, it is a humble price so close to the city center. I... assume you guys are not from around here.
Kenora folds the contract like a newspaper, allowing her to glare at the man.
KENORA: No.
She folds it back up again, shielding herself from his reaction. The slightly younger man with a beard seems uneasy due to her wit.
KANNA: Our granddaughter and I have been travelling for a few months now. She's... upset by the fact that the Tribe captured her father in the war.
Kenora scoffs quietly at the good cover. Although... as she ponders... this might as well be the real story for a lot of people here.
KANNA: We are grateful for your offer. We'll take anything we can right now.
The Chief Mother bows politely and the landlord smiles. This is supposedly what he usually has to endure in these types of situations.
LANDLORD: All I'm going to need now are your names and you can have the keys.
Kenora flinches once again. She had this whole thing planned out... just... not as thoroughly as she expected.
KENORA: Uh... our names?
The landlord raises a brow.
KENORA: Sure, uh...
KANNA: My name is Kikuno. And this is my granddaughter... Fu.
As Kenora frowns, the Spongebob boowomp sound effect plays alongside it.
LANDLORD: Alright. I assume you're Fu's legal guardian then?
Kanna nods. She signs the contract with a smile, though for now Kenora is only angry at her own inaction.
LANDLORD: That's all for now. Rent is due on the fourth of each month and garbage is picked up every two weeks on a Monday. There's a small yard in the back where you can keep your...
He admires the strange komodo rhino.
LANDLORD: ...thing. I hope you enjoy your stay.
His corporate speech over, the man bows, turns around, and leaves.
KANNA: I'm sure we'll do.
KENORA (sarcastic): Yeah, it'll be splendid.
The frustrated teen stomps straight into the dump masquerading as a living space, disappearing around a corner.
As the gang relaxes for a moment in the common room/dining room area connecting all of their rooms, peace and tranquility has set in-
The doors burst open in a loud and obnoxious fashion, its instigator entering in a similarly eccentric fashion.
BUMI: Hello, my young friends!
Everyone gets up in joy while Azula remains seated slurping her lemon juice from a straw. Aang is, of course, the most excited to see him.
AANG: Hey Bumi. How did the War Council meeting go?
Azula jolts up comically.
AZULA: War Council meeting?! Why weren't we invited?
Bumi shrugs as Aang tries to ignore her. She had been staring at him weird all day and he wasn't sure why.
BUMI: You and the Avatar have been so eager with your bending training that I didn't want to bore you with silly grown-up stuff - SNORT!
Azula rolls her eyes in displeasure.
AZULA: Whatever. Why are you here now?
BUMI: Well, I came to see how you're all doing. But I also have some news.
He turns to Aang, his voice switching to a more serious tone.
BUMI: I have re-established contact with the other generals in Ba Sing Se. I sent word about a plan to invade the Southern Water Tribe based on what you told me about the Day of Black Sun in your world.
Aang's friends all turn their heads towards him.
AZULA: You never told us about that.
The boy lets his head bop down in shame.
AANG: The invasion failed in my world. The... other Azula knew about it and warned the Fire Nation.
This Azula quickly backs off in shame as well. Yet another reason he didn't trust her in the beginning.
BUMI: Do not give up on hope yet. I'm sure it is something you'll be able to make up for when you return back home.
Aang is slightly motivated by the kind words. Azula meanwhile clenches her arm in pain at the thought of losing Aang so soon. Also, Bandit gives her a strange side-eye while this is going down.
BUMI: But your plan to invade during a solar eclipse, when firebenders are unable to bend the element? That was a pretty genius move, I must say.
AANG: Thanks. But it was actually Sokka's idea.
All heads turn to the prince, whose hand is unable to reach inside his empty glass to pick up the ice cube.
SOKKA: Uh... me?
AANG: Yup. The other Sokka came up with the whole thing.
A lot of pressure to lay onto the unfocused version of the great leader, yet the prince tries playing it cool, putting down his glass and wiping his hand on his pants.
SOKKA: Just give me enough time and I'll come up with an awesome plan like that too. Trust me. I'm a professional.
AZULA (under her breath): Yeah, right...
ZUKO: So you plan on attacking the Water Tribe with the Earth King's army?
BUMI: Not just that. In a few weeks, I will be meeting a potential ally here in Goldmouth. The leader of the Liberation Forces.
All react with the sound of several wind instruments played at the same time, their expressions accompanying that shock.
AANG: You mean Vaas?
AZULA: I thought he and the Liberation Forces hate everything about the king. That includes you.
Bumi swipes his finger across his nose like a jolly school child.
BUMI: I thought so too! The thing is this Vaas guy was apparently captured by the Tribe a while back. Escaped all on his own. Maybe that made him change his mind.
All seem to be aligned towards the idea. All except one.
BANDIT: That's a load of hog monkeys! Vaas wanted to blow up that dam back in our forest! No way are we going to work with him now!
The angry child stomps the ground, shattering it quite significantly on impact. Bumi hums in thought as he strokes the white fur growing from his chin.
BUMI: That is definitely something we need to discuss with him. But, regardless, if we want to win this war, we need to make use of any help we can get.
The earthbender girl looks around for reassuring gazes, yet she finds nothing but the opposite.
ZUKO (to Bandit): People can change.
Too frustrated to deal with the situation, Bandit stomps the earth once more before disappearing into her room. A moment of silence settles in the auditorium like a cover of dust.
AZULA: Well, that was quite a performance.
She turns to Bumi, crossing her arms and trying to look as serious as humanly possible.
AZULA: Anything else or can we go back to training?
Zuko frowns in the background.
BUMI: Actually, there is one more thing.
He casually flings a scroll onto the dining table, the object opening itself on impact as it rolls from one corner to another. On the displayed paper is a map detailing the Si Wong Desert and the surrounding area. Bumi walks forth and presses his boney finger onto the spiky edge of the sand bowl.
BUMI: On this eastern mountain range sits an observatory.
He looks over to Aang and Sokka, who seem to be getting the message much quicker than the others.
BUMI: In your world, you discovered the Great Library of Wan Shi Tong and found out the date of the solar eclipse there. But since the desert in this world is much better connected and the library was much more exposed, He Who Knows Ten Thousand Things has hidden his great collection in the depths of the Spirit World. You will need to see the Astronomer instead to get the information you need.
ZUKO: What information?
SOKKA: The next lunar eclipse.
Aang and the prince exchange a quick smirk.
SOKKA: Lunar eclipses, also called a blood moon, are much more common than their solar counterpart. The Water Tribe has already developed strategies to deal with the absence of bending. However...
He briefly considers the implications of his home being the target of war.
SOKKA: If we are to attack the capital, our best shot is to do it during a blood moon.
His discomfort escapes via a sigh.
SOKKA: I hope that way the fighting is over quickly.
ZUKO: It will be. Just like the war.
Azula flicks her eyebrows as she stares at the map.
AZULA: Very optimistic. This whole thing.
Aang rolls up the map and hands it over to Sokka.
AANG: Sokka and I will go to the Astronomer.
Azula's mouth opens as-
ZUKO: I'm coming too. I've read lots of books on star constellations and the movement of celestial bodies. I can help.
Aang smiles.
AANG: Great.
AZULA: Can I come too?
Her usual sharp demeanor stands in complete contrast to the desperate question almost sounding like a whimper. Even Ty Lee, who had once again stayed eerily quiet, finally pays attention.
AANG: Um...
BUMI: As far as I know the Astronomer is a secluded person, mistrustful of outsiders. It is probably best for you not to bring a whole entourage.
The Avatar looks back at the firebender and shrugs with sympathy. Azula's mouth falls shut in a pout, and she nods quietly. One more exchange of looks to Ty Lee and the airbender already knows what the rest of her day will look like.
The old woman hums a loving tune as she prepares a warm lunch, the kitchen and dining area clouded in the warm scent of Water Tribe cuisine. The bathroom door opens and the steam of the hot shower mixes with the odor of Kanna's cooking. A few moments later and Kenora already enters the dining area, dressed in her beige/green Earth Kingdom disguise with her hair wrapped in a towel.
KENORA: I'm going to head out soon. If the Avatar is really staying with the Governor-General, I need to scout the premises.
The old woman turns halfway around, her right arm still stirring the contents of her pot.
KANNA: You'll stay for lunch though, right?
Kenora flicks her brows up in repulsion, the leftover water in her hair subtly bended into her towel, giving her the much curlier hairdo that she had as a kid. The Chief Mother meanwhile places two dumplings, bean curd puffs and orange chili chutney on two plates each. She takes off the pots from the open flame and extinguishes it with a quick and precise bending swipe, afterwards she picks up both meals, placing them on the old wooden table on each side. She sits down after giving Malu a dumpling of his own.
KENORA: I'd really prefer to keep these meetings professional.
Kanna's features morph into discomfort.
KANNA: Meetings?
KENORA: Operation discussion? Call it whatever you want. I just want you to take this seriously.
KANNA: Meaning you want me to take you seriously?
Kenora almost takes a bite from her dumpling but then stops.
KENORA: Well, I certainly hope you do already. After all, I am your-
KANNA: Captain. I know. There's hardly any chance I would ever forget it, seeing as you feel inclined to shove it down everyone's throat all the time.
Now Kenora is the one who frowns.
KENORA: If you have a problem with my leadership, you can-
KANNA: Did you know that this isn't the first undercover scouting mission that I've done?
The girl drops her dumpling in shock. Malu meanwhile snorts in the background, displeased to not get more dumplings.
KANNA: Yes. Before I became Chief Headwoman, I was part of a smaller noble house, much like your father used to be. I was sent to a village in the Fire Nation. Near a swamp I believe. We were able to conquer it shortly after with the help of my intel.
A small film of tears covers Kanna's eyes like the lens of an amphibian. She stares coldly into her warm dish reminiscing about the brutal takeover she witnessed back then. Several seconds later and her gaze wanders back to the quiet waterbender.
KANNA: So, believe me when I say scouting missions aren't the hardest thing in the world. We'll have to get jobs to earn money, live normal lives, and then once or twice a day we stop by important locations to see if there's anything out of the ordinary. That's it, really.
She finally starts eating. Kenora still remains on the sideline, pondering how she can twist this conversation again to make herself look good.
KENORA: Thank you for your inside, Chief Mother. However, I still prefer that we adhere to the chain of command. It's a matter of... principle.
Kanna scoffs in mockery, further upsetting the young girl.
KANNA: It's incredible that your principles seem to be built on the foundation that you get to boss people around.
Kenora's fist clenches in anger.
KANNA: Let me tell you what I think - I think, you grew up as someone who was always good at life. Sure, you had your fair share of setbacks and bad things happen to you, but those weren't your fault. They were caused by other people, whereas you were always able to carry your own package and fix all your own issues. And now that you have a crumb of power you believe that you can tell people what to do because you're so much smarter and better than everyone. Well, let me tell you this...
Provocatively, the old woman picks up one of her curd puffs, dunks it into the spicy sauce, takes a bite, and swallows.
KANNA: I will not adhere to the authority of someone who believes themselves to be superior. I already-
She briefly chokes at the thought of Bato's death.
KANNA: I already saw what did to Bato. If you are interested in having it happen to you, then go ahead. But I won't follow you down that path.
It's almost incredible that Kenora took that whole lecture without any interruption. Apparently, she carefully saved her energy for the right moment, getting up in a swift, dramatic fashion while knocking over her chair.
KENORA (angry): I'm grabbing something to eat en-route.
She doesn't leave the apartment before bending the steam from their dishes, transforming it into ice and freezing over all of the old woman's cooking.
KANNA: Oh, really mature! I hope you're happy, captain!
Kenora shuts the door with a loud bang.
AZULA: Can you believe it - can you believe it?! The whole morning, he gazes at me with that flirtatious little smirk of his, and then on this super important mission he doesn't want me along? What game is he playing?!
Azula has made it her priority to immediately vent her frustrations to her airbending friend, who is spread flatly onto Azula's bed staring at the ceiling.
AZULA: It's been like this all week. You'd think he'd eventually just break and come up to me but nope! None of that for Mr. Avatar!
Her fiery rant over, she pouts displeased at the acrobat's lack of a reaction.
AZULA: Hello? Are you listening?
Ty Lee jolts her head up, the rest of her body lying still like paraplegic.
TY LEE: Huh?
AZULA: We are discussing the Aang Situation right now. Why aren't you paying attention?
Ty Lee finally sits up straight, rubbing her eyes in discomfort, an overdue wake-up call for the firebender.
AZULA: Are you okay?
TY LEE: Sorry I'm just... I'm feeling odd today. I feel like there's... a string attached to me pulling me somewhere. But I don't know what it means.
Azula scoffs, eyeing her claw-like nails again.
AZULA: Believe me, I know what you mean. Been feeling odd myself...
Ty Lee very subtly rolls her eyes.
TY LEE: Listen, why don't you just-
AZULA: Talk to him? We've been over this - I cannot talk to Aang about it unless I'm 100% convinced that our feelings for each other are mutual. I don't want to split our group over my silly feelings. Not to mention the humiliation it would bring if he rejected me...
Ty Lee carefully tries to select her response, part of her mind still stuck somewhere else. She stares into the distance through her window while talking.
TY LEE: Your feelings aren't silly, Azula. If he cares about you, he'll talk. And I know he does.
Azula jumps onto her mattress, bouncing for a second as Ty Lee diverts her attention back to her.
AZULA: This sucks. He should talk to me. Why do I always have to do all the hard work?
Ty Lee's lips form a thin line.
AZULA: Back when only I knew his secret, things felt so... right. It felt like we were in our own little world together, like we were happy.
TY LEE: I... thought he... only told you out of convenience.
With closed lips Azula shoves her tongue around her teeth.
AZULA: I don't think so anymore. Sure, it was convenient. But he could've just lied again. I don't think it's a coincidence that he told me before you two.
Ty Lee musters up the courage to express a bit of skepticism.
TY LEE: He... did lie. He said you don't exist.
Azula gets up and loudly grunts.
AZULA: Whatever. You know, you're not really helping me right now.
Frustration rises in the acrobat but is quickly and efficiently expelled via air exiting her nostrils. She gets up, Sabachi, who had been resting on Azula's pillow, jumping on Ty Lee's shoulder.
TY LEE: What you need right now is some space to think about things.
Azula, shocked beyond reason by Ty Lee's sudden rebellion, stands there still with a gaping mouth.
TY LEE: Tell Zuko to have fun while he's gone, okay?
The girl quietly shuts the door on her way out. Azula expels her aggression by picking up a peach from her fruit bowl and igniting it in azure flames.
Aang finds the entry of the palace oddly empty, neither Bandit nor Ty Lee showing up to say goodbye. Only Azula showed up, the lemur usually present on her side also mysteriously absent. Sokka glances over his shoulder, Zuko digging his eyes into an astronomy book in his hands.
SOKKA: Where is everyone?
Azula rolls over her eyes, Aang remaining visible on the very corner of her view.
AZULA (to Zuko): I'm supposed to tell you to have fun. Your girlfriend had something to do.
Expecting to spark tension, she instead finds Zuko looking up briefly with the smirk of a dunce.
ZUKO: I hope she's having fun too.
The firebender girl frowns, clearly displeased to have her student gone and her crush unwilling to talk to her.
AZULA (to Aang): So, uh... have fun then. I guess.
Aang smiles at her bluntly, Sokka getting literally in between them.
SOKKA: Will do! We'll get that lunar eclipse date in no time.
He winks and holds up his thumb like he's starring in a nineties commercial. Azula is only further frustrated as the two boys join Zuko on the bison.
SOKKA: Oh, and please feed Sledge for me.
AZULA (dry): Sure.
AANG: Yip-yip!
Appa growls with what sounds like a sigh before soaring into the heavens and away from Goldmouth. Azula remains there for a few seconds, scoffing quietly at Appa's comment.
AZULA: Yeah, I'll try to have fun on my own then...
The strange sensation, a pulse-like feeling tugging at her all day, finally pulls Ty Lee towards what she perceives as the cause of it. It makes little sense why the Cube of Bendigo would want to see her, nor would that a massive golden brick even have a consciousness. But it's how the acrobat interprets it. Azula isn't in the right headspace right now and she hasn't really made a meaningful connection to Bandit. No. She'd have to do this on her own. With a sparkle in her eyes, she extends her palm towards the Cube and as she finally touches it-
Nothing. Even after a few seconds of patience, the golden chunk is giving her nothing. She turns around with a sigh, a few old women leaving the site close to her after finishing their prayer.
TY LEE: What... what is it?
Ty Lee tries arranging the thoughts in her mind to make the situation more cohesive. Let's see, she'd been feeling like this since... since she entered the city? No - wait - it was before that. It was when-
The magnetic center of the desert reappears in her mind. They went past it when travelling with the sandbenders. It looked like a massive rock, clearly had holes in it. But... what was it-
Sabachi chirps on her left. As she turns her head, she finds a creature. At first it resembles a fox, or maybe a wolf. Its features are slender and rugate, a bushy fur covering the mouth holding a... scroll? With its glowing, blue eyes, the strange animal stares at her for a few more seconds. The feeling of being pulled somewhere is stronger than ever now. Could it-
With a skip, it runs off. The acrobat finds herself immediately on her legs again, chasing after the creature by foot. She forgot her glider, otherwise this would've been much easier.
Ty Lee sprints away from the Cube of Bendigo and into the busy city. Kenora stands frozen for a few seconds, having just accidentally stumbled onto the site as she munches on her lunch. She swallows it quickly as she too switches into a quicker pace, easily catching up with the airbender while keeping her distance. Always at least one street removed, she skillfully moves past everyone on the marketplace, hastily trying to ignore any pushy vendors trying to chat her up into making a purchase. Sabachi's ear twitches as she hears the waterbender curse quietly. Ty Lee's gaze is still glued onto the tail of the beast.
This continues until the airbender reaches the outskirts of Goldmouth, the sandyards she entered the city through. Most of the dune boats leaving or docking are smaller vessels, an occasional public boat bus, a trireme, departing with a random number of passengers on it. After a few seconds of trying to spot the fox, she finds it sitting in an empty trireme, jumping out of it as Ty Lee tries to enter.
TRIREME DRIVER: Hey-hey-hey - what do you think you're doing?
The ruff man with clear anger issues stemming from his occupation refuses her entry.
TY LEE: Where is this ship going?
The driver aggressively taps the sign on the top of the vessel spelling "8: Cactus Fields".
TY LEE: Is that near the magnetic center of the desert?
TRIREME DRIVER: Pretty much.
TY LEE: Great!
Once again, entry is denied by the man.
TRIREME DRIVER: You'll need to purchase a ticket first.
Ty Lee is put on the spot for a moment. She luckily remembers their interaction with the sandbender that helped them find the city.
TY LEE: Um... Sha-Mo gave me his permission?
The bearded man is stunted.
TRIREME DRIVER: Sha-Mo? How do you know-
He quickly stops himself in his rant.
TRIREME DRIVER: Right. You're one of the Avatar's friends then.
Ty Lee nods with a smirk as he finally lets her in and sit down.
It takes a few minutes for the trireme to be filled and then finally depart, two massive sails on both sides like a dragon about to soar into the sky, two sandbenders each creating tornados to perpetuate the vessel forward. The little tour through the desert gives her much more time to take in some of the views. She spots many more farms and smaller houses spread throughout the desert, most of the people on board being children that live in these parts that just came from school. She can't help but to smile at the thought of a normal life like this. Waking up, waiting for the trireme, meeting your friends in school, coming home to eat dinner with your parents after work. Ty Lee wonders if all the kids living in Air Nomad villages spread throughout the Earth Kingdom can live such a peaceful live.
Kenora, on the contrary, is shitting her pants as the lemur keeps looking back at her and clearly recognizes her. She gulps quietly as she starts regretting the pursuit.
Finally, at the sight of cacti spread over multiple dunes with green parts throughout, Ty Lee finally hops off.
TY LEE: Thanks!
The driver couldn't care less. Two random people get on the transport as she stares into the distance, the massive brown rock not far away now. She was right. This is what had been pulling her, almost as if calling for her. The blowing noise of the sails indicate the departure of the public transport. Only one other person got off on the other side of-
Her aura radar immediately alarms her as Sabachi flies away.
Act II. - Beneath the stars
The terrifying glare immediately cast onto the waterbender as soon as her only mode of escape leaves is more than enough to make the girl nervous, to put it mildly. She reassuringly taps the pouch of water hanging around her waist, pearls of sweat running down her temple caused by the oppressive sun and the nervous stare from Ty Lee. Her cover hasn't been blown yet, and with her different clothes and hair it should be enough to fool-
TY LEE: Kenora?
A desert gust blows past by them.
...
Kenora pops open her bag and initiates the first strike with a harrowing scream. Ty Lee jumps away, dodging the incoming stream of water.
TY LEE: Wait - I don't want to-
Her plead for peace is interrupted as Kenora redirects the water around her body, letting it stream down to her leg wherein she slams it directly into Ty Lee's chest. The airbender gets tossed in between the cacti, spitting out the sand in her mouth against the patch of green below her. No time to rest - the waterbender immediately attempts another barrage, the acrobat utilizing all her airbending talent and gymnastics to dodge the incoming aquatic shelling. One particularly nasty blow misses her barely as she cartwheels away. The stream of water layered in chunks of ice knocks over a cactus instead, revealing the inside of the plant to have liquid. Ty Lee and Kenora realize it at the same time, both with different reactions.
Ty Lee attempts to hurry to safety, yet the both of them are trapped inside the maze of spiky plants already, and now Kenora is beginning to slice open the cacti from the inside, revealing translucent water shaded slightly in all colors of the rainbow except for blue. Ty Lee begins to worry, her breath shortening in the desert heat as her opponent finds ever new sources of bending weaponry around her.
Wait - that's it - the desert! If she can get her away from the greenery...
Her thought is rudely interrupted as a sugary beam of pink/yellow/red/orange cactus juice slams her in the gut, Kenora frowning with concentration as she spins the water around her head and shoulders like a conductor directing an orchestra. Ty Lee finds her battle spirit as she gets back up after that last attack.
TY LEE (angry): That's e-NOUGH!
She snaps her finger in a slice-like motion, creating a sound wave travelling in a radius around her and hitting Kenora as if the acrobat had slammed both her ears with full force. Her water stream smacks down against sand and grass as she briefly covers her auricles from the terrible noise. As she looks back up the acrobat is already gathering air from around her in a motion that incorporates kicks and spins and jumping through the air, until she eventually releases the attack via tensing up her arms. The rows of air break her quick water shield, knocking her over and almost into a spiky desert plant. She may have practiced with Akari - but this is far beyond anything the athlete could do. Kenora desperately tries to get more water from around her, yet her every attempt is met with painful knock of air slamming her to the ground, sweeping the floor with her like an invisible broomstick. Ty Lee charges the girl, giving her one last shot to inflict damage by going for an ice-covered punch-
Ty Lee dodges easily, manipulating the currents around Kenora to slam her against the ground first, then toss her up in a whirlwind, then slam her against the ground again, then finally toss her across the entire cactus field towards a dune, against which she slams and rolls down on the other side of.
In the past few months all of her prep time and training was in anticipation for the firebender, meaning she learned how to deal with agile, powerful strikes. The speed and the resourcefulness of the acrobat was not something she expected.
But alas - the fight is not over.
Ty Lee lands as a cloud of dust appears below her. Kenora uses the opportunity to get up again, transforming the ice on her hand into water and-
With a quick swipe the measly attack is immediately blocked, dispersing the droplets of water across several dunes. Any vegetation is now too far removed to utilize it. She's completely out of bending material. She clenches her fists, grunting much in the same way as her father.
KENORA: Don't think the fight is over now!
She charges for a punch. Then another. Then another. Then a kick. Then another punch. None of it connects though, as dodging strong, physical attacks like that is about the easiest thing to do for Ty Lee.
TY LEE: Stop that.
Kenora keeps hitting and grunting, putting all her weight and strength into jabs that don't do hit anything but air.
TY LEE: You're going to hurt yourself.
KENORA: I won't!
Kenora's final punch is redirected by an air swipe from Ty Lee, causing the waterbender to punch herself in the face.
TY LEE: I don't want to fight you.
Kenora scoffs, some sand that got in her face being spit back into the dust bowl.
KENORA: I can't let you go if you recognized my disguise.
Ty Lee relaxes for a moment, her fighting stance changing to a casual one.
TY LEE: I actually didn't. You look so different with your new hair. I just recognized your aura.
Kenora seems a bit frightened to hear that.
KENORA: A... aura?
TY LEE: Yup. Yours is a... citrus yellow. Very bright and shiny. But also, a little aggressive.
The girl shakes her head dismissively.
TY LEE: I know your dad can do it too. He's really scary, much more than you.
Angered by this, Kenora charges for another attack. You can guess how successful that was.
TY LEE: Why are you out here? Isn't it a bad idea for a waterbender to be in the desert?
KENORA: I can get water from wherever I want!
With her bending pouch emptied from the fight, Kenora opts to move for a few seconds in the heat, after which she manages to conjure up a small bubble of sweat ready to attack.
TY LEE: Ew. That's gross.
Ty Lee flicks her hand once and the sweat bubble, before it can be used by Kenora, is already dispersed and gone. With a sigh of defeat, Kenora finally loosens up a bit too.
TY LEE: Look, I don't have time for you today. I'm always busy doing stuff for others. I need to do this for myself first. Just... just tell your friends you didn't find anything or that you lost my tracks or something. I won't tell anyone that I saw you. Okay?
She notices a shift in Kenora's aura, the girl averting her face from the acrobat.
KENORA: My uh... my crew isn't with me.
Despite having just fought her and still feeling some of her blows, Ty Lee can't help but feel at least a bit of sympathy.
TY LEE: That's... a shame.
She wonders for a moment if she should take Kenora along. Just for the day.
TY LEE: I... don't trust you enough to tell you where I'm going.
Kenora crosses her arms.
KENORA: Good. I don't want you to.
In that moment, the familiar chirping of Sabachi announces the return of the lemur. It lands right in between the two girls, staring at the waterbender with raised ears. A few seconds pass where neither can tell what the animal is going to do.
Finally, quite in a chipper tone, it hops over to Kenora, climbs onto her shoulder, and starts licking her face.
KENORA: Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
The lemur, having had enough, returns to Ty Lee's side. The acrobat is of course completely baffled by this.
TY LEE: You... you know Sabachi?
KENORA (under her breath): Of course the lemur has a name...
She clears her throat.
KENORA: Uh... yeah. It kind of helped me bust Azula out of that prison. When I saved her life, by the way. You're welcome.
For the first time, Ty Lee finds an oddly matching parallel between her friend the firebender and her foe the waterbender.
TY LEE: You... sound just like Azula sometimes.
Kenora can't decide between being offended and being embarrassed by that.
TY LEE: Alright. You can come with me. But only if you want to.
The acrobat turns around in a swift motion and walks up the dune.
KENORA: Th- wai- wait! What?!
Ty Lee doesn't answer, and so Kenora chases after her.
KENORA: That's completely insane! You're completely insane! Where are you even going?!
Dry desert air slowly fades away in exchange for the cool winds of the approaching mountain range. Aang is more than a little surprised to find the temperature getting this cold this fast. Zuko, interrupting his reading, is putting on an extra piece of beige clothing to deal with it. The Avatar, having not really considered it thus far, finds it an optimal opportunity to ask the following...
AANG: So, how is firebending training with Azula?
The boy responds with a grunt that reminds him of Prince Zuko.
SOKKA: Yeah, about as good as you can expect...
The two boys eye Sokka with oddly judgmental looks.
SOKKA: Look, I mean, I only joined your group recently, so I don't want to be critical of a senior member. However-
ZUKO: She's insufferable. She keeps teasing and bossing me around for her own entertainment.
Sokka frowns at the harsh criticism.
SOKKA: Yeah, something like that I guess...
Aang ponders, not trying to draw any parallels to his own world here. But...
ZUKO: Was she like that in your world? What did I say in response? I mean, what did... Zuko say? Your... Zuko.
SOKKA: I think he understands the question.
Aang's stomach turns at the development. He can't deny it, and it still doesn't make this Azula his Azula. Regardless, it is worrying.
AANG: He would always tease her as kids because she was the better firebender. She didn't teach him but... she also didn't help him.
This is finally enough to make Zuko shut his book.
ZUKO: This is why I never minded not being a bender. She probably feels threatened by me now.
Sokka snorts, deeply upsetting the raven-haired boy.
ZUKO: Yeah, I know - haha, how can anyone be afraid of Goofy Zuko? But I mean it. She's always been competitive like this. She probably wants me to fail...
A tower approaching in the distance, Aang tries to think of what to say while steering the bison's descent.
AANG: I don't think she wants you to fail.
He really thinks about that statement. He had been avoiding Azula for the past few days. Specifically, because he was also beginning to notice this and was afraid someone would confirm his suspicions. But alas, this is not Fire Lord Azula.
AANG: But I don't know.
Reading the room correctly, Sokka decides to be the center of attention.
SOKKA: Enough moping around you two - let's focus on what we're here for!
With much vigor, he jumps off Appa, stretching his limbs after a long flight.
SOKKA: You know what I've noticed about our little group?
The other two boys climb down slowly, too shy to try and respond.
SOKKA: Exactly! Every one of you is way too polite and nice.
ZUKO: Being nice isn't a bad thing.
SOKKA: Of course it's not! But, and forgive me if I'm speaking out of terms here, I have noticed that out of everyone, Azula is really the only person to take charge, lead - ask question when everyone else is uncomfortable!
AANG: A lot of her questions are the reason for that, though.
SOKKA: I know, I know. That's why Sokka is here!
He poses triumphantly with shiny speed lines behind him. Zuko crosses his arms in a provocative fashion, a burlap sack filled with books hanging around his shoulder.
ZUKO: Oh yeah? Well then, go ahead and "lead", Great Sokka.
SOKKA: With pleasure.
The three walk up to the Astronomy tower, Aang and Zuko more than happy to have Sokka taking the lead. Azula may turn a little nastier, but he almost has his old Sokka back.
With his dog head Sledge loudly slobbers up Azula's hand as she hands him some leftover stuff from yesterday.
AZULA: Yuk. Enjoy it, I guess.
Sledge briefly barks at her.
AZULA: Yeah, he's going to be back later. Don't worry.
She gets up, wiping her hands in her pants. Sledge barks once more, causing Azula to hesitate.
AZULA: Do I like Sokka? I don't know. Not really?
Sledge whimpers in confusion.
AZULA: I guess you wouldn't understand. Good for you.
She leaves him as he starts chasing around the little courtyard, barking with joy.
AZULA: Yeah, nice talk.
She takes a breather and looks around their little dining area. With no one home it seems so... empty. Azula sighs.
AZULA: Alright. Time to get back to it.
She walks over to Ty Lee's room and opens the door without knocking.
AZULA: Anyway, as I was saying, those long, uninterrupted gazes-
She comically stops herself, spotting Bandit on Ty Lee's bed with a wheat straw in her mouth.
AZULA: What are you doing in Ty Lee's room?
BANDIT: What are you doing in Ty Lee's room?
Azula crosses her arms.
AZULA: Yeah, I'm not really up for that game today. If you see Ty Lee anywhere, tell her I need to speak to her.
She turns around and approaches the door-
BANDIT: About those long, uninterrupted gazes?
The firebender fumes slightly as she closes the door.
AZULA: Listen... you probably heard something there, and out of context-
BANDIT: Oh, I know the context. It's about you and Aang.
No reaction from Azula but a brief, well-timed eye-twitch. Bandit gets up, spitting out the wheat straw as she approaches a helpless firebender.
BANDIT: Do you want to go for a walk? I could go for a walk.
Azula cracks her knuckles as the earthbender opens the door.
AZULA: Do I have a say in this?
BANDIT: Nope.
Another dune passed and Kenora's fears set in. She thought there was no way on Earth that they were heading towards the rock. She was wrong.
KENORA: Are you kidding me?!
She stares in awe at the magnetic chunk of stone. At least they're on the side with shade.
KENORA: We walked all this way for this? It's just a stupid boulder!
Ty Lee turns around in a swift swoop, blowing wind and sand in Kenora's face.
TY LEE: First of all, I did NOT ask you to come with me. Second - it's not just a boulder...
She turns back towards it, trying to be excited about it for a change.
TY LEE: It's a magnetic rock.
The feeling of an invisible force pulling her is simultaneously quieter, yet also stronger. Whatever it is, it's almost within her reach. The flood of optimism washes over her as Kenora wipes the sand from her face.
TY LEE: Alright. I think whatever I need to find is at the top.
With a swift cartwheel she switches into a quick spin, from which she hops from edge to edge, a walkable path apparently not available. Kenora sighs as she begins her own ascent, though a lot less fast and jumpy.
KENORA (mumbling to herself): Great idea, Kenora. Just chase after the airbender. It's not like she's heading to the middle of nowhere.
Ty Lee already way ahead, Kenora regrets her own choices severely. Perhaps Kanna was right about some things.
KENORA (mumbling to herself): If only I hadn't spent all my money on lunch and the ticket...
TY LEE (suddenly next her, hanging upside down): You spent all your money on the trireme ticket?
The sudden appearance of the airbender right next to her startles Kenora enough to make her slip and fall, though a quick gust of wind from Ty Lee catapults her back up and against the rock, thankfully a lot closer to the top. Kenora grunts as she climbs the last few meters and reaches the plateau. Ty Lee is of course also there already, the lemur once again eyeing the waterbender from the acrobat's shoulder.
TY LEE: Hm. That's odd.
Kenora pads the dirt off her disguise and scoffs.
KENORA: It really isn't. My mission is still to hunt down the Avatar. Of course I would follow any leads possible.
TY LEE: Yeah, I know that. It's just that I always took you for the mastermind planer. This wasn't a good plan at all.
Ty Lee's posture has, in the meantime, mostly loosened, seeing as the waterbender is no real threat at all anymore.
Kenora just shrugs in response.
KENORA: I'm better at improvising than planning.
To her surprise, the acrobat smiles.
TY LEE: Adaptable. Like a true waterbender.
She briefly taps her lips, remembering the lingering quest of finding a waterbending teacher for Aang.
TY LEE: You don't happen to give any waterbending lessons, do you?
Images of her one lesson with Katara, her fight with Akari, and the subsequent Yue accident flash up infront of Kenora's inner eye.
KENORA (dry): No.
Averting her eyes in protest, the captain spots something strange behind Ty Lee.
KENORA: What's that?
The acrobat turns around, realizing what Kenora was talking about.
A series of strange holes emerge from several spots withing the rock, something she wasn't able to identify from the ground. An odd aura surrounds those caverns. She steps closer towards one, Sabachi on her shoulder cowering in fear. An ominous breeze of wind howls from one on the ground level.
KENORA (in the back): You're not thinking about going in there, are you?
While she can't see far inside the cave, she can clearly feel it. It. The force wrapping itself around her body and calling her inside.
She steps in as Kenora sighs in disgust.
KENORA (mumbling to herself): Of course.
She walks up to the opening. Clearly, she will not follow this madness, especially when she herself is defenseless.
In the corner of her eye a yellow spot emerges. She quickly moves her head, spotting something that the acrobat and her pet clearly missed earlier.
A yellow desert flower surrounded by a tiny patch of grass sits there innocently, wobbling and dancing in the wind. With little hesitation Kenora sucks the water from the plants, draining and killing them in the process. It's only a small patch of water. But it will suffice.
Kenora finally enters the cave as well.
After a short while of walking, they finally stop.
SOKKA: Hm.
ZUKO: What?
Sokka turns around after staring up the observatory for a bit too long.
SOKKA: I don't know why. I expected it to be taller for some reason. That Astronomer is looking at the stars after all.
Aang and Zuko share comedic looks.
SOKKA: Oh well. How bad can it get?
He grabs the star-shaped door knocker, smacking it twice-
The door slams open and Sokka is met by the pointy end of a crossbow aimed between his eyes. The prince falls to the ground. Zuko grabs one of his swords, Aang tries to remain calm. The Astronomer turns out to be a woman in her late forties.
ASTRONOMER: Who are you?! What do you want?!
Not a single word escapes Sokka's mouth. He instead only squeaks.
AANG: We're not here to hurt you! I'm the Avatar!
The woman switches her sinister grin over to the airbender boy. Behind hexagon-shaped glasses, her eyes slowly relax, as does the rest of her face. She finally lowers the crossbow yet remains skeptical.
ASTRONOMER: Avatar? The Avatar is back? Didn't you die before the war?
Zuko retracts his blades as Sokka gets back up with a gulp. Aang shrugs.
AANG: Well, I disappeared.
The woman's features seem intrigued and confused. She scratches her head hidden under a mane of fuzzy, grey hair.
ASTRONOMER: Huh. Fascinating.
She gestures wildly, crossbow still in hand. She briefly flails it in Sokka's face again, making him comically uneasy again.
ASTRONOMER: And I thought you kids were trying to rob me.
The weapon is wiggled again, a similar thing happening with Sokka.
ASTRONOMER: I almost shot you!
Aang scratches the back of his head. Sokka was right. Without Azula, these conversations drag.
AANG: Um... we were actually hoping you could help us. You're the Astronomer, right?
The lady adjusts her glasses onto her ridge as she nods. Apparently, having been correctly identified, she finally appears calm and professional.
ASTRONOMER: Ah, you came for my astronomy work. Wonderful. Yes, I can help you with that.
Aang finally conjures up a smile, Zuko nodding confused. She waves them inside, once again forgetting that one of her hands is holding a crossbow, aiming it at an uneasy Sokka once more.
ASTRONOMER: Come inside.
The further she steps inside, the more Kenora regrets it. Slimy ooze is dripping from the hexagon-shaped walls and ceiling, her boots squeak disgustingly as she steps on the same material. She decides sticking her fingers in, just to try and make out if there's any water contents, making the assessment that it's too thick to properly squeeze it out. She briefly pictures eating the slime and makes a gagging noise.
TY LEE: Over here!
She turns her head towards the end of the tunnel, spotting a yellow/orange dot in the distance. The girl quickly paces over it, reaching a dead end with a hole in the wall.
KENORA: Oh, well, that's it, I guess. Nowhere else to go.
Ty Lee continues to intensely stare at the wall. Kenora is once again made uneasy by the lemur penetrating her with her big, green, eyes.
TY LEE: No, I don't think so. There has to be some kind of secret lever, or something.
Kenora snorts provocatively.
KENORA: Secret lever? This is an animal burrow. We should probably get out of here before-
Her mockery is cut short as Ty Lee sticks her hand into the hole in the wall. It makes a disgusting squishy noise as she does, the acrobat's entire arm submerged in gross wall snot. Kenora almost gags at this.
TY LEE: And there I thought you were the brave one.
She gifts the waterbender with a smirk that is not unlike one she has seen on the firebender.
Click!
Ty Lee gasps, quickly pulling her hand out of the hole again. A weird clicking noise heard by both girls alerts them and the lemur.
KENORA: What was that? Was that a trap?!
A rumbling makes them even more nervous. Kenora takes a few steps back.
KENORA: We should go!
TY LEE: Wait!
As Ty Lee gestures for her to stop, the rumbling finally reveals itself.
The ground beneath them shakes for a few seconds, before slowly submerging below. Kenora is standing one foot away from the apparent platform.
KENORA: I am not-
What else is she going to do? Wait in the disgusting burrow? Ty Lee is not required to say anything, as Kenora grunts and hops onto the elevator.
As the boys enter, they are in awe at the sheer size of the tower's inside. Sokka's earlier comment seems laughable now. The stone structure is filled to the brim with rows of books and tools, all for the measurement of celestial bodies, blue and purple colors marking the observatory's inside. As Aang looks above his head, he spots a complicated contraption, one consisting of multiple rings, upon which orbs circle around one giant orb in the middle.
AANG: Is that...
ZUKO: That's our solar system. Isn't it?
He looks to the Astronomer for reassurance, receiving it with a warm nod.
For a few seconds Kenora doesn't know what to expect. For some reason the otherwise cowardly airbender girl that she defeated months ago by freezing her braids in a pond appears so much more confident than her. The captain doesn't know what... to...
Light appears. A massive underground temple reveals itself as their platform, no, their cube, drifts gracefully to the ground below. A massive structure filled with pillars and statutes of half-human/half-animal spirits tower a good 20 feet into the air, though quite a few of them seem partially broken or eroded. The transportation block finally halts with a loud noise, but a very soft thud. Sabachi briefly decides to jump off Ty Lee's shoulder and soar across the massive temple, navigating in between floating rocks and cubes that seem to travel through the air via an invisible arm holding them up. Kenora is the first to step off the platform and onto the sandy ground. Most of the original brick floor is covered by the passage of time already.
KENORA: What... what is this place?
Ty Lee steps off carrying a smug expression, one she copied directly from a certain raven-haired girl.
KENORA: How are... how are these rocks just... floating? They must weigh hundreds of pounds...
TY LEE: This rock is the magnetic center of the desert. I assume that's why.
As she steps forward, she decides to blow air at the floor below, revealing the beautifully crafted brick ground. She also lifts up a few rocks, which briefly float in the air, before quickly shooting towards the ceiling or walls, which in turn loosens some other rocks that start floating and switching sides. One of the huge chunks breaks into a corner at the bottom of the room, freeing two smaller chunks to drift into other directions, and so on. Kenora is dumbfounded. But also kind of... enchanted.
A smile almost breaks loose on her face.
KENORA: This shouldn't be possible. Rocks flying? That's crazy.
Ty Lee turns to her with a smirk.
TY LEE: They said the same thing about people - and look at me.
With a jolly "yippie", the airbender decides to spin and hop around, jumping from rock to rock, briefly chasing Sabachi while the two avoid any magnetic pieces shooting towards them. Kenora won't let the airbender see it, but she does finally smile, if only briefly.
A montage of exploration and discovery smoothly fades in between the three boys at the astrology tower scouring books and consulting with the Astronomer, while Ty Lee and Kenora explore the Magnetic Palace beneath the desert.
In one instance, Aang pushes a small calendar wheel, similar to the one he used in Wan Shi Tong's library...
...while Ty Lee helps Kenora to get onto a floating boulder, in order to transport her to a door on a higher level.
Sokka toys around with different lenses on a telescope...
...while Ty Lee plays around with a set of magnetic soles, which she briefly uses to walk on the ceiling of a smaller room.
Kenora sweeps through a treasure room of some kind, wherein all the artifacts seem to have been stolen already...
...all the while the Astronomer explains a carefully constructed map of star constellations.
Zuko skims through dozens of books, begging the woman to keep some of them...
...while Ty Lee shortly enjoys drifting on top of one of the magnetic boulders, sticking to its surface with small magnet rocks, allowing her to spin with the rotation of the boulder. She exhales in relief, feeling freer than she has in a long time.
Kanna misses haggling in the Water Tribes. You'll experience it here and there on smaller markets, but for the most part the central administration has set out price controls for most goods and services. Makes life somewhat more convenient, but also takes away some of the fun from the shopping experience. It makes it all the more enjoyable to have that back in Goldmouth. It also led to a quite hilarious encounter in which a local vendor demanded the old woman to haggle for a piece of clothing, for which she was more than willing to pay the full price. A few people have given her odd looks, though no one is really able to tell that she's from the Water Tribes. Suppose an old, wrinkly woman is not an uncommon sight in the desert.
She makes her way around to a rug stand, where she admires the beautiful craftsmanship and intricate weaving. At that moment, a familiar voice catches her attention.
AZULA (far away): ...don't understand what else there is to say to it.
BANDIT (far away): You are terribly complicated Azula, do you know that?
The little firebender grunts. Kanna tries not to arouse suspicion, continuing to inspect the craftsmanship presented to her. The raven-haired girl and a mysterious Earth Kingdom girl are taking a stroll through the market section of town. That's most likely the earthbender that took out Suki and Akari a while ago. Kanna needs to be extra careful.
BANDIT: So, if I understand it correctly, then you like Aang, in a romantic way. He likes you, but only in a friendship way. And that's... frustrating because...
AZULA: Because I don't know for sure! Maybe he does like me that way but he's too afraid to say something.
Bandit frowns at that.
BANDIT: Why wouldn't he just tell you?
Azula scoffs comically.
AZULA: Because you don't know Aang like I do. He's not the type you can confront easily.
She pauses for a weird amount of time.
AZULA: Especially when you're me...
Bandit stops her as they reach a parch bench under a palm tree.
BANDIT: What's that supposed to mean? Why are you so freakin' cryptic all the time?!
Azula grunts in a loud fashion, sitting down with her arms crossed. Bandit briefly picks up on a weird vibration, a set of footsteps that feel familiar to her, as if someone had been following them around. She is ultimately unable to spot Kanna sitting down at a café table, ordering a mocha to slurp in peace.
AZULA: Because of the other Azula.
Bandit decides to sit down too, crossing her legs and playing around with a pile of sand on the ground, spinning it like a spoon stirring tea.
BANDIT: Sounds like you need to get your head checked if you think there's another you in there.
Azula's sigh comes off as actually genuine and filled with frustration.
AZULA: I'm talking about Princess Azula. Or... Fire Lord Azula, I guess. It's the version of me that has been hunting him and killing his friends. Or at least I think that's what she's been doing...
With horror, she reminisces about her encounter with the mirror image of herself in the Glacier Temple.
AZULA: As much as he likes me, he has this... subconscious aversion to me. It's the way he looks at me.
A thin film of tears covers her pupils as they stare into the void ahead of her.
AZULA: He thinks I'm a monster.
BANDIT: That's nonsense.
She punches Azula in the arm.
AZULA: Ow! Watcha do that for?!
BANDIT: To wake you up from your daydreaming, sugar queen. I'm not gonna let you mope around in misery over what some boy thinks.
Bandit finally stops fiddling around with her sand and switches to right-angling Azula.
BANDIT: Here's what I think, and I'm usually right.
Azula scoffs joyfully at that, if only a little.
BANDIT: You are not a monster. You're a hero. You go around the world, saving lives everywhere you go. So what if you're a little mean sometimes? If that makes you a monster - if he thinks you're a monster - then, frankly, he's a moron!
This gets an actual smile from the firebender, who appears once again more vulnerable than usual.
AZULA: You're cool. Thanks.
Bandit nods, sitting back with her head leaning against the bench, a new wheat straw in her mouth twisting back and forth.
AZULA: Don't tell anyone about this.
Bandit shrugs.
BANDIT: I don't think there's anything to worry about, but sure. You'll at least tell Ty Lee though, right?
Azula crosses her arms.
AZULA: Why?
BANDIT: I don't know. Isn't she like, your best friend?
Flabbergasted by the question, the firebender is unable to respond for a bit.
AZULA: Uh... I don't... I don't know. Best friend? I've never really had a best friend besides...
Other than her mom and her brother, the only other person who would ever deserve that title would be Lu Ten.
What about Ty Lee now?
BANDIT: I mean, no pressure. You can tell her or not, I don't really care.
She leans back harder, spreading her arms in a pretty aggressive fashion, especially for someone younger than Azula. The firebender smiles.
AZULA: You know, I'm glad we have you on the team. You're a cool fit.
Bandit smirks but doesn't thank her. It has been a while but... she still doesn't quite feel like she's a part of this new team. The girl briefly wonders whatever happened to the other Vultures.
Kanna sees all of this unfolding as she happily slurps her mocha, practically invisible out in the open.
The further they venture into the catacombs, the less color and beauty everything seems to have. The number of corners and statues covered with sand also seems to increase, the natural light coming from... somewhere above decreasing as well.
Kenora reaches a buried heap of desert dust placed at the end of a hallway, the lemur joining her in her investigation.
TY LEE (from another room): Kenora, you need to check this out! There's a whole bunch of cool stuff-
A loud collage of ceramic shattering noises. Kenora and Sabachi look back comically. After a while the racket subsides and Ty Lee steps outside with her hands behind her back and her lips pouting.
KENORA: What happened?
TY LEE: Nothing.
The waterbender decides to drop it, focusing back on the weird pile ahead.
TY LEE: What are you doing?
Kenora scratches her chin.
KENORA: Doesn't this look odd to you?
TY LEE: What? The sand? No.
Kenora steps off the pile to better gesticulate her point.
KENORA: The way this pile is placed it looks... artificial.
They stare at the ceiling, the sand heap going almost to the top.
KENORA: The whole room should be filled with a layer that's half this tall. Instead, it just... sticks to the wall.
She turns around to the airbender.
KENORA: You don't find that odd?
Ty Lee shrugs, still keeping her emotional distance.
TY LEE: While I'm personally not an expert, I'd say that - SABACHI!
Whilst the two were busy, the lemur decided to take matters into her own hands (or paws), digging her way through the sand pile and disappearing as quickly as a mole rat.
TY LEE (to Kenora): Get behind me.
The captain follows the command reluctantly, not expecting the airbender to so quickly create and orb around herself, ingulfing the two in a protective leaf blower ball. They easily traverse the sand barrier as it gets pushed away by the acrobat's bending. Kenora's intuition was right - as the path is cleared, a doorframe is revealed, through which the two of course enter. As soon as they're inside and Ty Lee's wind ball subsides, the sand wall behind them shifts back into place, blocking off the exit and the only light source.
For a few seconds at least. Shortly after, a series of green crystal lanterns illuminate the chamber, revealing it to be...
KENORA: A library?
A sizeable number of shelves, some of them empty or half-empty, stretch across a very narrow room with a low ceiling. Sabachi finally appears behind a bookshelf and chases back towards Ty Lee, climbing up her shoulder and licking her face, causing the airbender to laugh.
TY LEE: You scared us, girl.
Kenora smiles a little. She decides to distract herself with some of the literature.
KENORA: What do you think this place is?
"Encyclopedia of Spirits, Volume IV" is the first title Ty Lee picks up. Kenora decides to follow along, though she doesn't really read anything, instead just quickly skimming through one or two works.
TY LEE: From what I heard in Goldmouth, there used to be a hidden library somewhere in the desert. Apparently it's gone now, so... maybe this is someone else trying to keep that alive.
Kenora nods, not knowing what to think about any of this.
KENORA: Right. Secret library hidden in a magnetic temple. Got it.
Ty Lee only half-listens, flipping quickly through the pages of her book. Familiar faces start reappearing, like Shishi the Beast Dog. A few other illustrations include...
-Sedna, the supposed creator of all oceans
-Sōjōbō, totem protector of Fire Nation forests
-Krakatoa, the spirit of a familiar "uninhabited" island volcano
-Wan Shi Tong, He Who Knows Ten Thousand Things
-and really cool, detailed drawings of Arinna and Tarḫunna, though their father, Bendigo, is notably not depicted.
There are a few more cool drawings though Ty Lee finds it a little less interesting once she stops recognizing any of the names.
-Spirit of the Dammed
-Spirit of Good Fortune
-Spirit of... Pottery?
-Spirit of Birthdays
-Spirit of Luck (isn't that the same as Good Fortune?)
-Spirit of Vengeance
-Spirit of Riddles(?)
-Spirit of Pastries
-Spirit of... blah-blah-
Then Ty Lee freezes on the spot. One of the last illustrations of the encyclopedia presents itself.
-Ogro the Leviathan. Spirit of the Deep Sea and Bringer of Storms.
The long neck of a serpent carries the massive head of what looks like a cross between a bird and a lizard, scaly horns protruding from its skull. A set of sharp teeth are as intimidating as the sheer size, a human being drawn next to it to make it a sizeable comparison. It's larger than the Aquatic Serpent they saw on the beach head, larger than something called an "Unagi". It's the largest creature on Earth, though it is not technically a creature.
She shuts the book, deciding to put it back in the shelf in fear. Sabachi flinches and hops onto another shelf.
KENORA: Did something happen?
Ty Lee turns halfway around, hugging herself in distress. A part of her conscience is gnawing at her, screaming at her to trust Kenora.
TY LEE: Just... saw something I didn't like.
Kenora nods with her entire upper body.
KENORA: Ah.
The waterbender puts back some random scroll she can't even remember.
KENORA: Well, was this it?
The airbender turns towards her all the way.
TY LEE: Was this what?
KENORA: Well... the reason you came out into the middle of the desert. You said this is something you needed to do. Was it finding this place?
Ty Lee ponders for a second. She closes her eyes, the eerie sensation no longer pulling her, though still feeling present somehow.
TY LEE: I think so. But I don't know.
Her attention shifts quickly to a scroll, which Sabachi seems to be ripping apart.
TY LEE: Sabachi! Stop that! That's valuable.
The lemur just tilts its head, though finally scatters away when seeing Kenora's intimidating posture.
KENORA: You... are aware that the animal can't understand you, right?
Ty Lee pouts.
TY LEE: I know. I'm not Azula...
The airbender sighs, looking at the lightly destroyed parchment.
TY LEE: Do you think we can pay the owner to have it fixed?
Not getting an answer for a few seconds, she finally looks back at Kenora. The waterbender's jaw is wide open, her pupils dilating with no other motion on her body.
TY LEE: What?
KENORA: Uh... are you just gonna gloss over that?
TY LEE: Over what?
Kenora is visibly befuddled.
KENORA: Azula can talk to the lemur?
The acrobat drops the scroll, her hands balling up in distress.
TY LEE: Uh... no?
Kenora blinks comically.
TY LEE: Okay, well, what did you hear me say?
KENORA: I said that you can't actually talk to the lemur, then you said, "I'm not Azula." What did you mean by that? Can Azula talk to the lemur?
TY LEE: First of all, the lemur? She has a name. And no, Azula can't... talk to Sabachi.
She ends her response by scratching the back of her head and averting her eyes from the waterbender, who is still clearly not satisfied.
KENORA: You're a terrible liar.
TY LEE: I'm not lying! Azula can't... talk... to... Sabachi. Alone.
KENORA: What do you mean "alone"-
Kenora understands what she means by "alone".
KENORA: Can Azula... talk to all animals?
The girl thinks she sounds crazy listening to herself.
TY LEE: Well, no. Well... kind of. I don't know if I can call it... "talking" but, she does... understand what they say and... she translates it. Then she translates what we want them to know.
Kenora's jaw appears permanently stuck in a gaping position.
KENORA: What?!
TY LEE: I don't know! I thought it was pretty cool when she told me!
Once more, Kenora blinks comically.
KENORA: Okay. So... let's say she's telling the truth... why have you never asked her about it?
A second thought pops into her head.
KENORA: Has any of you ever asked her why she can talk to animals?!
TY LEE: No! She's our friend, we trust her. And we all think it's pretty cool.
Pure comedic silence, once again. Sabachi chirps quietly from the corner of a shelf.
KENORA: But none of you know why or how your friend can communicate with animals? Or if she's even telling the truth?
The accusation greatly enrages the acrobat.
TY LEE: She's not lying! I know pretty well when people lie. It's because of my-
KENORA: Your aura. Yeah. I don't really believe in that stuff either.
Ty Lee grunts with fury, crossing her arms and stomping her foot like a school child. Kenora is little impressed, instead eyeing her dirty fingernails.
KENORA: I don't trust in any spirits or aura. Do you know what I use to deal with people? My gut. And right now, my gut tells me that you're a naive little doll that cheerfully accepts anything that people tell you as long as it's what you want to hear. You trust everyone unconditionally, because if you didn't, they'd leave you behind.
As the airbender listens to her tirade, she starts quivering in distress. Kenora smugly claps her water pouch twice.
KENORA: That's why you thought it was a good idea to bring along me, your enemy, even though I can drain water from almost any source within seconds. I'm a ticking time bomb that came to Goldmouth to spy on you and you just gave up valuable information about your friend, voluntarily, simply because I asked you.
Kenora scoffs.
KENORA: What you need to do is grow up.
Pushed over the edge, Ty Lee finally starts emitting tears.
TY LEE (teary): And you... you're a JERK!
She runs towards a different exit on the other side of the room, disappearing to some other part of the temple. Kenora shrugs it off.
KENORA: Oh well. She has to learn it somehow.
Crunch!
KENORA: Ow!
While the airbender was fleeing the scene, Sabachi actually managed to climb onto the shelf next to Kenora, having bit her left hand in retribution. The lemur hisses at her before flying after Ty Lee.
Neither Aang nor Zuko really want to disturb the Astronomer while she's working on something, though after an hour or so they begin to grow impatient. Sokka started doing his own research 10 minutes after being told to wait.
As they sit by a dining table covered in old dishes and papers, Zuko buries his head in a little firebending booklet from Adithya. For a second Aang thinks about how the golden princess might be doing. The firebender boy finally breaks his silence by letting out a famed Zuko Grunt™.
ZUKO: This is exactly how I did the form! I did it ten times exactly like this! What's Azula's problem?!
He closes the literature in a loud thud.
ZUKO: What would you do if you were in my position, Aang?
Aang can briefly push aside the Other Azula stuff and ponders what to respond. His voice has, at this point, dropped completely, giving him a raspy, yet still ultimately pretty high pitch.
AANG: If I was getting lectured by my teacher or if I was getting lectured by Azula?
Zuko sighs.
ZUKO: Both?
Aang hugs himself.
AANG: Hm. I don't really know. In the-
He checks to see if the Astronomer is listening, making the correct call that she is absolutely not.
AANG: In the other world, you taught me firebending. You were pretty rough at times too. You pushed me, which is why my firebending was so good.
The sweet-talking helps the raven-haired boy somewhat.
AANG: I did learn a lot from Azula and Jeong-Jeong in this world too, but I think for the most part I'm bending like you taught me.
Zuko's features harden up.
AANG: Or... your other you taught me. Sorry.
This is when Aang remembers a specific detail that he hasn't really elaborated on in the past.
AANG: Actually, the other Zuko was technically my second firebending teacher.
ZUKO: Really?
AANG: Yeah. Remember how we met Paku in the woods? I met Jeong-Jeong the same way. He taught me firebending for a day or so, or at least the basics.
ZUKO: Oh. And how was it?
Dark memories resurface, Katara's pained cry echoing through his mind.
AANG: Not good. He tried to teach me restraint, and I didn't listen. I hurt Katara that day. Badly.
Unbeknownst to the both of them, Sokka, only a floor higher, is listening, stopping briefly in his scribbling.
ZUKO: Oh. Sounds rough.
Aang nods.
AANG: I don't know the answer. But I think...
He clears his mind for a moment before finishing.
AANG: I think Azula has your best interest at heart. I'm not saying don't talk back, but I think maybe... you need to trust her.
The conversation productive, Aang still feels an odd sensation creeping down his throat as he utters those words.
ZUKO (to the Astronomer): So, uh... how much longer is this going to take?
The woman does not react, still continuing to gaze through her telescope, taking notes and mapping out stars with dividers.
ZUKO: Sorry if I'm being... impatient.
AANG: Hey, maybe we can help you again? Try the rotating calendar?
She once again doesn't respond. This is when Aang gets the brilliant idea to blow a teeny tiny tornado towards her, which messes up her already messy stack of research. At least it gets her to finally turn around.
ASTRONOMER: Huh? Oh, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot you kids were here. Did you say something?
Aang reacts with a comical blank expression as Zuko buries his head in his arms.
AANG: Yeah, we uh... wanted to know if we could help you with the research. You know. With the blood moon stuff?
The Astronomer adjusts her glasses as she tries to respond.
ASTRONOMER: Blood moon? Did you kids ask me to look that up?
Now Aang cartoonishly gasps and Zuko's head turns red, steam blowing from his ears.
SOKKA: I got it!
To their rescue appears a prince in brown armor, sliding down the spiral staircase railing and presenting his research.
SOKKA: I had to do some of my own calculations based on prior rotation cycles, but I think the math adds up.
Dumbfounded, the Astronomer walks over to the boy, taking a good look at his research. Zuko jolts up in excitement.
ZUKO: Sokka that's... that's amazing!
The prince smugly crosses his arms.
SOKKA: Yeah. People forget I'm pretty smart sometimes.
ASTRONOMER: Yup. The math adds up. Good job.
The woman gives him a warm smile.
AANG: Oh no.
Their optimism shatters as they focus back on Aang, who finally takes a look at the calendar himself.
SOKKA: What? I thought I was right.
AANG: You are. That's the problem.
Unbearable fear creeps back up from the bottom of his soles, across his spine and finally into his heart.
AANG: The next blood moon is after Ogro's return.
Well, what now? Kenora could try and dig her way out of the library, then maybe hop onto the elevator cube and get out of here. There's gotta be some way to get back to Goldmouth. Right? Some way to get back...
A particular volume catches her attention. It's a small book, a children's book even. And it's one she fondly remembers. She finally picks it up and snaps it open.
"Willy the Whale Penguin".
It's a cute kid's story about this whale penguin called Willy (duh) who travels the seas and visits all kinds of cool places. It's a little propagandistic for sure, as it doesn't really show how the war affects anyone, but it's for children. And at the end of the day, when all the exciting places and other creatures have been visited, Willy always makes sure to return to Whale Tale Island. His...
KENORA: ...home.
Kenora once again tries grabbing her phantom necklace, which is now missing due to her disguise.
She closes the book and puts it back on one of the half-empty shelves.
VOICE: Peculiar story, isn't it?
The girl is scared half to death by what is seemingly a disembodied voice sounding from somewhere.
KENORA: Who's there?! I can fight!
She bends the little water collected to form ice brass knuckles.
KENORA: Show yourself!
VOICE: No need to worry, I am too old to fight.
The sand wall shifts once again, a silver fox-like creature emerging with a scroll in its mouth, stacking it in a nearby shelf.
KENORA: Uh... your dog is here.
FOX: Dog is a bit of a limited description, but I am not offended.
Kenora's jaw snaps open once more as she makes the realization that the raspy, Ian McKellen-esc voice is coming from none other than the creature, despite it not moving its mouth.
KENORA: Oh Sedni, I'm going crazy...
The thing chuckles, much to her displeasure.
FOX: Not to worry, child. You are in the presence of a spirit. It's not unusual for us to communicate with humans.
He taps over to a different shelf, neatly sorting some of the books that Ty Lee put back in sloppily.
KENORA: Okay. Talking to a spirit. Great. That's... only mildly better.
She at least puts the water back in her pouch.
KENORA: So, you're a... book collector? Librarian fox?
FOX: I'm a knowledge seeker.
The fox makes a sad dog noise.
FOX: Or at least, I was.
He walks over to the only bench in the room, upon which he rests.
FOX: Many years ago, the great Wan Shi Tong sought to protect his collection from humans. The other knowledge seekers came along with him. All except...
KENORA: You.
The spirit nods.
FOX: You're perceptive. We're alike in that way. We're also both alone.
Kenora scoffs at his insolence.
KENORA: I'm not alone. I've had plenty of people around me all my life.
FOX: Too many?
Her features form a frown. A mix of fear and intrigue.
FOX: A girl of the Water Tribe trapped in the middle of the desert, beneath the earth with an airbender? That does seem like you're a bit lost.
KENORA: How do you-
FOX: I may not know ten thousand things, but I picked up on some stuff.
He erects his head, starring into the corridor which Ty Lee escaped into.
FOX: I called her for a reason. She has already gotten the information she needed.
His attention shifts back to her. As he does so, a small coat of sand falls off him.
FOX: It is you who I find most peculiar.
Nervous and already plenty freaked out, Kenora tries being sarcastic.
KENORA: So what? You called her for some... greater destiny and me just for the funsies?
The fox chuckles. More sand falls off his head.
FOX: No. Our paths crossing is a twist of fate that gives me great joy.
Kenora crosses her arms dismissively.
KENORA: Fate. I don't believe in fate. Fate would have me stuck on an island until I'm eligible for marriage. Then I would've been forced to spend the rest of my life on one of the poles. Screw fate.
FOX: Do you really believe that was your fate? Or was your fate to run away from home?
The way he asks her confuses Kenora.
KENORA: What are you trying to say?
The fox licks his hind leg. More sand falls off of him.
FOX: For many years I was plagued with one question. Was it my destiny to be left behind in the physical world, or was my destiny stolen from me?
He whimpers quietly. The amount of sand coming from the spirit worries her.
FOX: I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter. I stayed here and I continued to collect knowledge to preserve for humans to come.
Kenora finally realizes what is happening - the more sand crumbles from the creature, the more he shrinks. She runs up to it and gets on one knee.
KENORA: Hey-hey-hey - what's going on-
As she touches him, her hand is engulfed in sand. She removes it in horror, though the knowledge seeker doesn't seem to mind.
FOX: I suppose I'm dying. It's ought to happen to all of us.
Kenora gets out her water in distress.
KENORA: No-no-no - it's okay. I can heal you. I've healed a spirit before.
The fox chuckles heartly as one of his ears washes away.
FOX: I am aware. The great Shishi will always be grateful for it.
Kenora backs off in shock. The creature is now halfway gone.
FOX: I have enjoyed spending my last moments with you, Kenora of the South. I hope I get to see you again someday.
As a few tears run down Kenora's cheeks, the spirit finally dissolves completely, a small cloud of light specs floating in the air for a few seconds before also turning to dust.
She remains seated on the stone floor for quite a while. Without thinking too much about it, without making a plan or drawing any big conclusion, she finally remembers Ty Lee's absence. As Kenora jolts up, she makes sure to collect her tears in her bending pouch.
KENORA: He... hey. Hey! Ty Lee! Come back! Was your name Ty Lee? I don't remember! Hey! Can you hear me?
The captain walks over to the doorframe through which the airbender disappeared. It's almost completely shrouded in darkness. The girl takes a deep breath, before finally entering.
KENORA: I'm coming! Okay? I need to tell you something! The craziest thing happened!
As the knowledge seeker died, so did his wall of sand blocking the entrance, though by the time the slope crumbles, Kenora is already out of sight.
And out of earshot. The waterbender unfortunately went too early to takes note of the buzzing sound. The animal from which it came climbs inside the library chamber, sticking to the ceiling with its six legs and looking around the room with its elongated neck.
Act III. - The nest
Zuko races back and forth in the narrow tower. Sokka double-/triple-/ and quadruple-checks if his calculations are correct. Unfortunately, they are. Aang just sits quietly at the table trying his best to downplay another panic attack.
He thought he had the advantage this time, that he needn't worry. Yet, once again, something just had to come up and throw a wrench in his gears. Something always goes wrong. Maybe he's cursed.
Maybe this is all pointless.
ZUKO: There has got to be something we missed - it just can't be! In your world-
He stops himself, as the Astronomer is still present, and actually paying attention this time. Aang sighs.
AANG: It doesn't matter. We'll have to find some other way.
The words just kind of bleed out without any energy. Even the fizzy-haired lady seems dour.
ASTRONOMER: Whatever you needed the blood moon for, it isn't going to happen. I'm sorry, I truly am. If I could personally rearrange the rotation of celestial bodies, I would do so. But sometimes...
To Zuko's shock, the old woman chokes up a little. She takes off her glasses to wipe away the hint of tears from her cheeks.
ASTRONOMER: Sometimes life just isn't fair.
Zuko finally stops and stands still.
ZUKO: You're not just talking about us, are you?
The woman turns away her face, holding on softly to one of her telescopes.
ASTRONOMER (emotional): A long time ago, though not a hundred years ago, my village was attacked by the Water Tribe. Those of us that survived the flooding became refugees. My infant son, Teo, was separated from me. His father died protecting him.
Aang's head shoots up all of a sudden.
ASTRONOMER: Some time after that, I stumbled across this place. Couldn't believe it! All these telescopes and books teaching me about the stars. But empty, nobody home.
She finally turns back around. Zuko and Sokka have meanwhile caught on to the fact that Aang is reminded of something.
ASTRONOMER: It's been like this ever since.
She looks out her window. The sun is beginning to set.
ASTRONOMER: Every day I look out into the stars and I'm reminded of my little boy and his father, hoping and praying that I get to meet them again one day...
Sokka, who had been sitting on the spiral staircase this whole time, decides to get up.
SOKKA: We can't give up hope. Not when we're this close.
He walks over to the Astronomer, who's on the verge of tears.
SOKKA: You said your son's name was Teo? Wasn't that-
AANG: It was.
Aang gets up too. The woman's eyes shine with the sparkle of the night sky.
SOKKA: Teo is alive. And he's not alone. We met him in a forest near Gaipan a while ago.
The grieving mother breaks into tears, the joy and relief of years washing over her. Zuko sits down to comfort her while Sokka re-examines the map. Aang feels overwhelmed too, greatly thankful for Sokka to take charge here.
SOKKA: There's got to be something else besides a blood moon...
ZUKO: All we need is a new strategy.
Sokka looks straight ahead with a smug smile on his face and a convenient torch above it.
SOKKA: That's it!
He grabs his research for moon cycles again, flipping through the pages of material he already studied earlier.
AANG: What is?
SOKKA (while looking through stuff): Blood moons are when waterbenders are at their weakest, but there is something else that greatly restricts waterbending - a-HA!
He smacks the calendar booklet on the table. Zuko and the Astronomer get up to take a look. They stare with big eyes at an illustration of...
ZUKO: A new moon?
SOKKA: Yes. When the moon is not illuminated, waterbending becomes incredibly difficult. Or so I've been told.
AANG: So how close is a new moon to Ogro's return?
The prince reads with his finger following the words on the page. He finally stops.
SOKKA: Three days before!
While Sokka and Zuko celebrate, Aang isn't too excited.
AANG: Three days?! That's not nearly enough. What if something goes wrong? What the invasion-
SOKKA: It won't.
Aang is grabbed by Sokka, who gives him a firm, but reassuring nod.
SOKKA: You have our full support, Aang. We trust you.
He takes those words in as Zuko gives him a smile as well. The Astronomer once again wipes away her tears.
ASTRONOMER: If I can get my son back, then the Avatar is going to end the war.
The further Kenora steps into the tunnel, the more uneasy she becomes. It's too dark to really make out anything, making her seriously worry as to what transpired with Ty Lee.
KENORA: Ty Lee? Come on, get back. Don't tell me you found a back exit and just left me here.
She intends to continue with "that's not nice", but then remembers that she, in their last conversation... wasn't exactly nice either. Maybe that's why the acrobat ran off for good. Kenora sighs.
KENORA: Hey listen... I'm sorry about what I said earlier, okay? I didn't... really mean it.
Only now does she realize that roasting the airbender may have stemmed from her little talk with Kanna.
KENORA: I... didn't really have a good day. But this was... actually kind of fun. You know?
Still no answer. An odd smell crawls up Kenora's nostrils, though she tries to ignore it for now,
KENORA: I actually liked doing this little adventure with yo-
Splosh!
Repulsed to her core, Kenora quickly removes her foot from... from what exactly? She can't make out what the squishy ooze on the floor is, though based on consistency and smell...
She looks up. The little she can make out from the ceiling tells her enough. At some point the tunnel began transforming into a hexagon shape, the walls and... everything else covered in a thick layer of snot. An eerie sensation travels down Kenora's back.
KENORA: Oh no...
The captain starts running, not too concerned with getting her boots messy, or any other part of her outfit for that matter. As she moves further in, inexplicably, a light source illuminates the tunnel more and more, proving her theory correct. After a few more paces, she finally reaches the end, halting in horror.
She stares down into a massive cavern, the floor and walls all covered in beige, scaly-looking material, as if someone took millions of little shards of dry wood and taped it together. A massive wall grows all the way up to the ceiling, from which a few holes emit natural light. Dozens of little buzzard wasps climb up and down said wall, attending to weird little Jell-O bubbles in the hexagon holes, supposedly the larvae.
As if this day wasn't crazy enough, she stumbled her way into the center of a buzzard wasp nest. And not a small one at that.
For a short moment, she ducks, trying to make out anything in particular. At first, she focuses on the look of the buzzard wasps climbing up and down the wall. They seem smaller and slender, telling her that they are probably some kind of nursing variant. Possibly not dangerous. Hopefully.
She spots one odd one out, a regular buzzard wasp like she's seen in illustrations before. It's pulling at something-
Loud chirps alerts Kenora immediately. Withing seconds she can identify that the "something" pulled by the insect is an unconscious Ty Lee, and that the chirping originates from Sabachi trying to protect her airbending owner. Without much hesitation or forethought, Kenora hops over the tunnel ledge, sliding down the disgusting sloped side and rushing to the lemur's aid.
After her hissing and howling is largely ignored, a mean scratch to the face finally gets the animal's attention. It starts hovering slightly above the ground, flexing its stinger on the back with the intend of neutralizing the little airborne marsupial, who stands her ground in a brave gesture.
A precise, ice-covered kick then slams the buzzard wasp firmly against the ground, knocking it out, and possibly killing it. Kenora swoops the water back in her pouch as she attempts to impress the lemur.
KENORA: Thanks for distracting it.
With a thin smile Kenora accepts the lemur climbing onto her shoulder and licking her face, before hopping back down onto Ty Lee, where it starts licking a part of her arm.
KENORA (kneeling down): Let me take a look at that.
The waterbender spots a gross, purple swelling on her elbow.
KENORA: I assume that's where the bug stung her. Let me try...
She takes out her water again and bends it around the injury. As the healing sequence proceeds and the liquid shimmers with light, Sabachi seems curiously fascinated, like a cat staring at a printed picture of a different cat. The swelling goes back, and Ty Lee makes a loud exhale.
KENORA: Hey!
Kenora grabs her head, though the breath was apparently just a sign of relaxation, not a sign that she's waking up again.
KENORA: Great. I'm going to have to carry her.
The acrobat gets picked up by her like a large sack. Sabachi meanwhile starts going nuts behind Kenora's back.
KENORA: Yeah, yeah. I'll stop complaining-
The earth rumbles below them. The intensity increases and the quaking expands to the walls and ceiling. Sabachi's audio backdrop finally subsides as it races back onto Kenora, cowering on her shoulder. The captain turns around.
A heap of sand covering the bottom on the hexagon wall starts shifting, the elongated shape of a skull appearing hidden at first, then finally visible. The creature is more than five times as large as any regular buzzard wasp - its eyes huge burgundy orbs stuck to each side of the skull, with its long, white beak covered in razor sharp teeth. The neck extends to three more segments, the largest one being in the middle and the last one still hidden inside the wall. The creature stomps its massive, hairy legs and erects its long neck to full size, dropping a dark shadow over Kenora.
The buzzard wasp queen lets out a terrifying snarl as it presents itself.
KRRRRRAGH!
Kenora runs like she never has in her life. Every step from the queen is simultaneously a small earthquake and another foot that it pulls its full body from its breeding space. The waterbender looks back once, her heart pounding as the girl in her arms feels heavier and heavier.
KRRRRRAGH!
She races up the slope with panic in her sole. Every wrong step could be-
She trips, though Ty Lee is halfway in their escape tunnel. Sabachi pulls Ty Lee to safety all the way as Kenora turns around with her hand covered in ice. The queen attempts to munch her on the spot, though Kenora somehow manages to freeze the tip of her beak to its lower jaw, giving her a few seconds to turn around and run the fuck back into the tunnel while the monster finally snaps its jaw back open. Kenora has picked up Ty Lee once more as she stomps through the disgusting, slimy marsh, Sabachi choosing to remain with Ty Lee.
KRRRRRAGH!
Kenora turns around with a smug look on her face.
KENORA: Yeah? Well, you're not going after us with your size!
A moment of silence passes, as if the creature could understand her. Then, quite abruptly and violently, the buzzard wasp queen shoves its oversized head into the tunnel, beggining its descent down the corridor as she stretches the dimension of the path to her own advantage. Kenora falls over into the mud, jolting back up again and racing as fast as she possibly can. The sticky floor was already a hinderance on its own, now with a colossus chasing them and an airbender in her arms it feels like every new step could be her last. Occasionally, the creature manages to get in range to snap at her prey with a mean crunch, though Kenora thankfully has the reflexes to keep up. Muddy slime covers almost her entire body as she finally reaches the part of the tunnel with a stone floor.
Her exhausting march turns quick sprint, though with the slimy still attached to her, she unfortunately gets stuck as she enters the library again, dropping Ty Lee and the lemur with her as she stumbles.
KRRRRRAGH!
Kenora looks behind her, allowing her to dodge an incoming attack with a roll, the queen now at least one third into the palace. Another two chomps avoided, Kenora pulls Ty Lee by her shirt before hurling the girl over her shoulders, making her way to the entry, which is now thankfully freed from sand.
She almost falls again in the main hall, opting to stop as a massive boulder soars across the room. If she could time it correctly...
KRRRRRAGH!
Turning around, the colossus is once more in pursuit, crudely smashing through the doorframe after having trampled over the knowledge seeker's book collection. The girl frowns angrily, waiting for the right moment to move forward.
KRRRRRAGH!
That moment IS NOW - Kenora hops across a massive crack in the floor. She correctly timed the massive chunk smashing against the wall to the right and releasing another magnetic projectile of similar size, which slams full force against the buzzard wasp queen, her head to be precise. The creature howls in pain as Kenora makes her way to the eleva...tor...
KENORA (panicked): NO!
The spot on which the cube stood earlier is now an empty square space. As the queen moves onward, her advance is greatly impaired by the dozens of projectiles preventing her from getting to the other side of the room due to her massive size. Kenora puts down the unconscious airbender as she decides to do... something - rushing straight ahead into a wall with her elbow, removing another chunk of rock that flies towards the insect creature. The damage is immense, though this now also redirects its focus back onto Kenora, causing it to move closer.
Sabachi's screech saves the day - Kenora is forced to look over, spotting a lever. She grabs it with one hand, then two. The mechanism seems a lot harder to activate, meaning it must pull down the elevator a lot faster, like an emergency switch. The lemur panics a final time as it soars over to Ty Lee. The buzzard wasp queen has focused back on the unconscious girl, now only guarded by a brave lemur.
KRRRRRAGH!
KENORA: HEY!
The queen looks over to Kenora, who's got one foot against the wall, just waiting to pull the lever.
KENORA: Get away from her, you BITCH!
KRRRRRAGH!
Somehow enraged, the insect sprints towards the waterbender, passing directly over the empty square-
CLONK!
The girl pulls the mechanism with all of her body strength, falling over in the process. Her theory about the two different levers proved to be right - the block is unlocked above and crashes down with the full speed of gravity. It ends up hitting the buzzard queen directly in the neck, squashing all of the surrounding bits in the process and decapitating the creature as it howls one last time.
KRRRRRAAA...
With its last breath taken and vital organs smashed into green pulp, it collapses onto the floor of the Magnetic Palace.
Kenora's first instinct is to pull the lever once again. She does this a few more times as the magnetic cube does not seem to move an inch. After close inspection, Kenora realizes this is due to the fact that the all the lower sides of the platform are covered with disgusting bug goo, possibly jamming the mechanisms inside. She looks over to the severed head, the creature's tongue hanging from the side of its mouth.
KENORA: Shit.
Sabachi chirps at her, giving Kenora a pretty stupid idea. Oh, what the heck. Why not try?
KENORA (to Sabachi): Hey... um... can you... go try the lever at the top?
She points to the elevator shaft above them. Surprisingly, Sabachi actually soars upwards, flapping its wings in a quick fashion.
KENORA: There we go. Maybe you can understand...
Her optimism subsides as she can see the animal clearly dive to the left and soar through the tunnel back outside.
KENORA: Great.
She allows herself to fall down on her knees, the thin layer of sand mixing with the tunnel slime from earlier. Ty Lee in a similar spot, though still just lying there with her eyes closed, Kenora decides to awkwardly crawl over to her, the captain's energy almost depleted from... everything.
KENORA (to Ty Lee): Don't worry, I'll find a way out.
The girl sits down, rolling the airbender on her back and checking her pulse.
KENORA: I'm good at improvising, remember?
She scoffs at her own stupid comment. As she lies there, Kenora checks her pouch once more for water, unfortunately finding none. A little more healing could maybe snap the girl out of it, get her to airbend them out of here on a moving tornado or something. As she pictures healing her, an image flashes through her mind. It was the night she rescued Azula from the Blue Spirit and Bato. The firebender was... probably actually dying there. She didn't just save her she... saved her life.
Kenora scoffs once more. And for what? Azula betrayed her, attacked her and fled when she wanted to help.
Help. She... wanted to help. Aang was apparently sick and... she was... she was actually going to help. Azula had every reason in the world to attack. Kenora was the one who started the fight in the desert town. She threw the first punch then and... and in the Glacier Temple. That's when she fought Ty Lee and the boy with the swords.
She wanted to attack them in Mai Sa Lu too. That's when they helped the Avatar. It was kind of justified, Azula didn't deserve to be tortured by a teacher. Or Ae Kiki.
She also helped the Avatar in Musho Ichi. Freeing slaves was the right thing to do. That's always what Kenora wanted. To go her own path, make her own destiny, but choose to do the right thing.
Help the Avatar, fight the Avatar. Help the Avatar, fight the Avatar's friends. Raid a village, save the same village. Fight Azula, save Azula's life. Attack the Golden City, save the spirit protecting it. Fall in love with Yue, then break up with her. Recruit Akari, then punch her in the face.
And now? Attack Ty Lee, then save her life.
Why did she do it? All of it?
A buzzing in her head slowly creeps into the real world as her focus shifts back to the library exit, a hallway far removed from them and pretty heavily demolished by the queen earlier. A few weird shapes and dots finally focus into buzzard wasps. Two, then five then twelve then-
The entire nest is coming. A black cloud swarms from every direction, on the floor, the walls, the ceiling - and all are headed for her. For her and Ty Lee. The airbender she attacked only a few hours ago simply because of some dumb mission, some stupid greater purpose that was given to her by someone else.
Kenora gets up on two feet, clenching her fists as hard as she can while assume a boxing pose. The bugs are briefly stopped by the projectile magnets flinging back and forth, not nearly enough to hurt all of them. She would rather die here than let them get to Ty Lee. That's a purpose much more noble than hunting some kid.
And it's the right thing to do.
A chirp of hope lightens up these ancient halls. Yellow stars rain down from above, revealing themselves as dozens, if not a hundred desert flowers, gifted by none other than the flying marsupial spreading them around Kenora from her pouch. The Pirate Princess smirks, a single tear shining on her face.
That tear, together with every single drained flower, create a massive, complex spiral of water, whipping just about every single rock floating in the main hall, creating a chain reaction powerful enough to swat the bugs and stop their progress. A few individual beasts that manage to pass get hit by Kenora's most energetic bending she has ever performed. All the hate and vigor and might she put into her attacks before when fighting a supposed enemy are now elegantly directed like ribbons, still packing the force of a bullet, whipping these nasty critters and smacking them away from her, Ty Lee, and Sabachi. She roars with excitement as she freezes her arms and knocks a creature into the ground.
As she looks up, her improvisational skills finally click - a single buzzard wasp chases after Sabachi, who manages to stay ahead at all times. In a daring maneuver, Kenora picks up Ty Lee and bends a water noose around one of the creatures at it tries to attack them. With a hop she's riding the creature's back, which is somehow easier to navigate than anything Kenora has sat on before.
KENORA: Sabachi! Lead the way!
The lemur obviously can't understand her, though the message somehow got across. That or Sabachi had enough from all the terrible buzzing and decided to fly straight up on her own. Kenora's plan works - her new ride animal chases after the little thing leading them into the disgusting slime tunnel from earlier. It probably wouldn't be the smartest thing to jump off now, since about 50 other buzzard wasps also chase after them, squeezing through the tunnel in large numbers and in an impractical manner.
Zoom!
Sabachi flies out of the cave.
Vroom!
The buzzard wasp carrying Kenora and Ty Lee flies out the cave.
Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!
A bunch of buzzard wasps chase after them, some exiting different holes in the magnetic rock.
KENORA: Uh...
Yeah so, the buzzard wasps are now flying over a hundred feet in the air, which are not ideal conditions for Kenora to simply jump off of, complete with an unconscious girl. As she looks below for any dune that's high enough, she takes note of one buzzard wasp deviating from the pursuit, soaring instead towards the cactus fields from earlier. Bingo. The question now is how is she-
Turbulence causes her to hold on tight to her ride's long neck, as the buzzard wasp transporting her all this way is finally too exhausted from the weight of its passengers, beginning its slow descent. It lands somewhat softly, gasping for air as it is now rendered a non-threat. Kenora gets off politely with Ty Lee in her arms.
KENORA (to the buzzard wasp): Thanks.
She wastes no (more) time and rushes over to the cactus fields, some of the cacti still damaged and cut from her earlier... squabble. The one buzzard wasp that decided to abort its mission is now slurping from a cactus top on the ground, completely oblivious to the waterbender or the airbender, who she gently lays down. Kenora takes a deep breath.
In an exhausting, but spectacular showcase of her abilities, she slices open a dozen or so cacti, bending their contents upwards in long lines, almost like snakes abandoning their basket hideout. Immediately, all the other buzzard wasps chasing Sabachi, and Sabachi herself, head over to the captain and begin their feast. She cuts open a few more cacti just to makes sure all insects will get distracted. Maybe there's some sugar in that water. Who knows? After picking Ty Lee up again and seeing all the creatures stumbling back and forth with crazy hissing and buzzing, she makes the educated guess that it's a little bit more than just sugar.
Blue flames shatter precipice blades shooting into the air to try and stop it. Bandit is very much impressed by Azula's strength and agility, the firebender on the other hand is impressed by how a little girl can push around so much heavy rock.
A familiar growl interrupts their training session, Bandit removing the spiky stone from the stage and allowing Appa to land, the evening sun glistening in the back.
AZULA: Well, look who it is. It's our Cosmic Boys.
Zuko is the first one to jump down, still a little uneasy looking his teacher in the eyes.
AZULA: Did you get the stuff?
Sokka jumps down next, far more excited.
SOKKA: We DID it! Well, we didn't find a proper blood moon - but we found a new moon instead! It was amazing!
Aang jumps down last, an odd smirk shared with Azula. Bandit interrupts the scene via clearing her throat.
AZULA: Hm? Oh yeah.
She uncrosses her arms and lets out a pretty deep sigh.
AZULA: Bandit and I talked and... I need to tell you something.
At first, she looks at the ground, then at Zuko, who seems perplexed in response.
AZULA: I... don't think you're bad at bending. Quite the opposite actually, I think you're really talented.
Zuko briefly looks to the prince for reassurance.
ZUKO: Why are you so frustrating at teaching me firebending then?
Azula swallows her pride and his criticism.
AZULA: I'm just... I'm just trying to make you understand how firebending works, dum-dum. You're always so... nice and... calm... and... "let's talk it out". You think too much. Firebending is about energy. It's raw and unfiltered and burning with life. I want you to be as good at it as you possibly can. Making you angry was... the easiest way to do it, frankly.
She admires her fingers, somewhat nervous about his response. He actually smirks.
ZUKO: Well, there are other emotions than rage. I think I can channel some more than that for my flames.
Azula shrugs.
AZULA: If you say so. I hope this helped.
Zuko smiles.
ZUKO: It did.
He engulfs her in a hug that she... reluctantly agrees to reciprocate. Too many people watching for her liking. Especially a very quiet Aang...
ZUKO: Hey, where's Ty Lee?
With the sun setting behind dunes and the cool air creeping in with haunting sounds, Kenora is on the verge of losing her strength as she carries Ty Lee over yet another hill of sand. The airbender groans and squeezes her eyes as she finally wakes up slowly, her vision a weird bobbling view of someone's chin. Sabachi is the first to greet her with pupils that are way too big, making incoherent noises before jumping back up and flying in a circle.
KENORA: Oh, you're finally awake. Good, because I'm getting tired-
Before finishing her sentence, Ty Lee instinctively blows sandy air in her enemy's face, getting dropped in the process before standing back on two feet.
KENORA: Ow! FUCK!
Ty Lee's adrenaline is getting her back up to full energy somehow, even if her mouth feels dry and her clothes feel sticky.
TY LEE: Did you attack me?! Are you trying to kidnap me?!
Kenora grunts with anger and pain and sand in her eyes.
KENORA: You... dumb... NO! You got... stung by a buzzard wasp...
Ty Lee is too scared and too on edge to properly read Kenora's aura. Sabachi's aura is all weird too. Did Kenora drug her lemur?
TY LEE (angry): I am asking you one last time - tell me what happened!
Kenora can't get back up or fight back as she uses her bending water to clear her eyes. Not that she would fight back.
KENORA: I already told you - you got attacked by a gross bug thing! I saved your life and got us out of there!
Ty Lee genuinely doesn't remember anything after entering the tunnel in the library.
TY LEE: Oh yeah? Then why can't I remember any buzzard wasps?
Kenora grunts in a frustrated fashion. She decides to get back up, moving her water back into her pouch.
KENORA (angry): I don't know! Maybe the venom is screwing with your mind! You're going to have to trust me here!
Ty Lee scoffs very dramatically.
TY LEE: Oh, because I believe everyone unconditionally, right? Because I'm scared of being alone?
Kenora very quickly shuts her mouth and morphs her expression into an embarrassed stare.
TY LEE (emotional): I'm not scared of being alone - I have people that love me and that I love back! I have more than enough strength to admit what my flaws are! Sure, I tend to trust people too fast, and I tend to be a bit too nice sometimes, but guess what? I like being nice! I like giving people a chance! But I knew, ever since you turned around in the Glacier Temple...
He runs up to the collapsing airbender, the floor underneath him is close to falling apart. As Zuko hoists up Aang he shares a fateful glance with Kenora, who doesn't quite know what to do. Zuko, despite everything, extends his hand, waving her towards him. Ty Lee, watching this unfold from the saddle, desperately hopes that the waterbender chooses to come with them. She had hope when she first read her aura.
ZUKO: Come with us!
Kenora considers it. After looking at the staircase again, she gives the swordfighter a glare and runs away.
Tears appear on Kenora's face as Ty Lee walks up to her.
TY LEE: ...that some people are just not worth being nice to.
The words burn like heated daggers. Ty Lee turns back around, a drunken Sabachi managing to land on her shoulder. Kenora falls to her knees.
As the sand blows across her and the first stars shimmer on the horizon, Kenora misses her mother's necklace... and her mother, more than anything in the world.
The journey back home is quiet and sad. Sabachi calms down after a while, the trireme halting inside Goldmouth under a crescent moon. She wonders how Kenora would make it home. Ty Lee is sure she'd find a way. But if she starts worrying now, she might trust her again. She can't. At least not now.
With aching muscles, disgusting clothes and a snoozing lemur, she enters her room quietly, as the rest of her friends are probably-
Correct prediction. She smiles warmly as two certain Fire Nation siblings rest (far) apart from each other on her bed, both having waited for her arrival, though not having the strength to make it all night. She falls down into the fluffy cloud and falls asleep dreaming about the stars.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's been two months, but I'm FINALLY done with this chapter, and I'm also now officially halfway done with Book 2. Yay! Thanks to everyone for being patient and continuing to support my work^^
NEXT UP: Book 2: Earth, Episode 11 – The Earth Ball.