Chapter 4
The group of teens had reached the peak of a hill, where Aang gestured to a pyramid shaped city in the middle of a canyon. "The Earth Kingdom city of Omashu!" Aang exclaimed excitedly. "I used to always come here to visit my friend Bumi." No one noticed Zuko's slight surprised start hearing that name.
"Wow," Katara was impressed. "We don't have buildings like this in the South Pole!"
Sokka was just overwhelmed, "They have buildings here that don't melt!"
"If you think this is impressive, you should see some of the buildings in the Fire nation," Zuko bragged a little. "I'll have to show you when the war is over"
"I can't wait to see it, Zuko," Katara smiled at him
"Well, let's go, slow pokes," Aang started walking towards the city, only to stop short when Katara grabbed him.
"Wait, Aang!" Katara said worryingly. "It could be dangerous if people find out you're the Avatar."
'I doubt it,' Zuko thought to himself. 'Not with a certain King on the throne.' Remembering to few times he had met Iroh's pai sho buddy.
"You need a disguise," Sokka suggested
"So, what am I supposed to do?" Aang asked sarcastically. "Grow a moustache?" After a bit thought, Aang was sporting a fake moustache and wig made of Appa's fur. "Ugh. This is so itchy," he scratched at the wig looking at Appa. "How do you live in this stuff?"
"Great! Now you look just like my grandfather," Sokka complained
"Technically, Aang is 112 years old," Katara pointed out to her brother
"Just be glad he doesn't look like my grandfather, Azulon," Zuko shuddered at the thought
"Fair enough," Sokka shrugged.
"Now, let's get to skippin', young whipper snappers," Aang said in an old man's voice, hunching over. "The big city awaits!" As they walked, Aang noticed something, "Huh?"
"What is it, Aang?" Katara asked
"The canyon looks deeper somehow," Aang looked down into the canyon. "Like there was an earthquake or something"
Without the others noticing, Zuko looked away, smirked, and thought, 'More like an earthbending lesson turned massive and destructive spar between the Omashu King and a pipsqueak of an earthbender.' While the others waved it away as an earthquake
"You guys are going to love Omashu," Aang said as they walked towards the gate. "The people here are the friendliest in the world." They watched as the guards destroyed a cart of cabbages, much to the cabbage merchant's dismay. The teens became nervous, except for Zuko. "Just keep smiling!"
"State your business!" One of the guards said, in a slightly aggressive manner
Aang stomped up to the guard and poked his chest, "My business is my business, young man, and none of yours!" Aang said in his old man voice, pointing a threatening finger at the guard's face. "I've got half a mind to bend you over my knee and paddle your backside!"
"Settle down, old timer!" the poor guard said in a calmer voice. "Just tell me who you are"
"Name's Bonzu Pippinpaddleopsicoplois the Third," Aang gestured to Sokka and Katara as they moved closer to him. "And these are my grandkids"
"Hi." Katara greeted, waving. "June Pippinpaddleopsicoplois. Nice to meet you." Sokka decided to keep his mouth shut.
The guard turned to Zuko, and his eyes widened for a second, recognising him, but stopped whatever he was going to say when the prince subtly winked at him in a 'play along' kinda way
"And I'm Lee," Zuko stood forward. "And I'm this old coot's bodyguard and escort"
"I see," the guard thought for a second. He turned to Katara, "You seem like a responsible young lady. See that your grandfather stays out of trouble. Enjoy Omashu!"
"We will!" Katara said light-heartedly as the guard gestured towards the gates
"Wait a minute!" the guard said as Sokka passed by, grasping his shoulder. "You're a strong young boy! Show some respect for the elderly and carry your grandfather's bag!"
"Good idea!" Aang smiled, still in his old man voice
"But what about Lee?" Sokka complained. "He's just a strong"
"And leave a bodyguard without access to his weapons," the guard gestured to the swords on Zuko's back.
"Fine!" Sokka finally conceded taking Aang bag in annoyance.
The water siblings looked around in awe at the amazing structure that was Omashu. Their eyes were drawn to the intricate system of chutes. The aqueduct like structure built over and beside the houses with green roofs
Aang spoke in his normal voice as he gestured to the earthbenders near the chutes, "This is the Omashu delivery system. Miles and miles of tubes and chutes." Aang explained as they watched the earthbenders at work. "Earthbending brings the packages up, and gravity brings them down"
"Great, so they get their mail on time," Sokka said, unimpressed
"They do get their mail on time," Aang said excitedly, before a mischievous look grew on his face. "But my friend Bumi found a better use for these chutes."
He explained Bumi's superslide idea, as he led them up to the top of one of the chutes. Zuko decided to keep his mouth shut about the fact that he had done this a few times before with his own earth kingdom friend and a crazy King.
"One ride," Aang said as they slowly edge to the start of the chute in one of the mail carts. "Then we're off to the North Pole. Airbender's honor"
"It sounded like fun at first," Katara uneasily looked over the edge, seeing the steepness of the chute. "But now that I'm here, I'm starting to have second," Aang tips the box over, sending them down the slope at a tremendous speed, causing Katara to scream out her last word, "Thoughts!"
They flew down the chutes, causing chaos in their wake. From just missing being skewered on some spears to tipping over other carts. It didn't help when Aang used his airbending to make them go faster. Soon after also destroying a couple of roofs they landed on the poor cabbage merchant's cart. "My cabbages! You're gonna pay for this!"
Aang looked up sheepishly as they were surrounded by guards. "Two cabbages please"
They were taken to the palace, where they were all set in front of the King of Omashu. Out of all of them, Zuko was the calmest despite that he was obviously fire nation in the middle of an earth kingdom city. The King looked at them in wonder. After the guards waved off the cabbage merchant's suggestion of cutting their heads off, they waited for the king's judgement
"Throw them…" They were all surprised by his next words. "…A feast!"
They were soon sat down at a dining table filled to the brim with food. Momo immediately dove into the food, while Zuko calmly helped himself to some of the tea. 'Not as good as uncle's,' he thought as he took a sip. 'But it'll do'
"The people in my city have gotten fat from too many feasts," the king said as he stood behind Aang's chair, offering him some chicken. "So, I hope you like your chicken with no skin"
"Thanks," Aang said politely. "But I don't eat meat"
"How about you?" the king turned to Sokka. "I bet you like meat." He stuffed the chicken into Sokka's mouth, who accepts it appreciatively, and walks over to his throne
"Is it just me," Katara whispered to Zuko. "Or is this guy's crown a little crooked?"
"Just a little," Zuko agreed. "But he is the King of Omashu. He's always been known to be a little eccentric"
"Wait, you know him?" Katara raised an eyebrow at him.
"In a way," Zuko said mysteriously, smirking behind his cup
"So, tell me, young bald one," the king address Aang. "Where are you from?"
"I'm from…" Aang tried thinking of convincing place. "Kangaroo Island!"
"Oh, Kangaroo Island, eh?" He raised an eyebrow. "I hear that place is really hopping!" The way he said it with a serious face caused Zuko to quietly snort into his tea and Sokka to laugh out loud.
"What?" Sokka stopped laughing when he saw the blank expressions Katara and Aang were sending him. "It was pretty funny"
"Well," the king stretched lazily, yawning. "All these good jokes are making me tired. Guess it's time to hit the hay."
The king gives them a strange look. Then out of nowhere he hurled a leg of chicken at them. Aang stopped it by trapping it in an airball. The nearby guards gasped in surprise.
"There's an airbender in our presence, and not just any airbender," the king stood up decisively. "The Avatar!" The king sat down again. "Now, what do you have to say for yourself," he smiled satisfied. "Mr. Pippinpaddleopsicoplois?"
Aang stood up, throwing his hands in the air. "Okay, you caught me. I'm the Avatar," he starts looking under the table. "Doing my Avatar thing, keeping the world safe. Everything checks out. No firebenders here. So, good work, everybody!" He grabbed his friends, and they began moving backwards. "Love each other, respect all life, and don't run with your spears. We'll see you next time!" Their way was then block by two spears.
"You can't keep us here!" Katara accused. "Let us leave!"
"Lettuce leaf?" The king asked, picking up the said food and chewing on it
'Wow, that's as bad as me trying to tell uncle's tea jokes,' Zuko thought, shaking his head
"We're in serious trouble," Sokka whispered to the other three. "This guy is nuts!"
"Tomorrow, the Avatar will face three deadly challenges," the king announced. "But for now, the guards will show you to your chamber"
The chamberlain stood forward, "My liege, do you mean the good chamber or the bad chamber?"
"The newly refurbished chamber," the king answered
"Wait, which one are we talking about?" the poor chamberlain asked, confused
"The one that used to be the bad chamber, until it was refurbished," the king explained, much to the chamberlain's growing confusion. "Of course, we've been calling it the new chamber, but we really should number them. Uh, take them to the refurbished chamber that was once bad!"
Just as the guards were taking them out of the room, the king called out once more, "Wait!" They stopped and looked at him. "The young firebender with you," Aang and the water siblings were shocked that the king knew that. "He looks fun. Would you care for a game of pai sho, young one?"
They looked at Zuko, who simply bow to the king, "A game sounds good, your majesty"
"Excellent," the king smiled excitedly. "Follow me."
"Zuko!" Aang called after him in concern
"Don't worry, guys," Zuko assured them. "I'll be alright. I'll see you in a bit." They followed the guards still shooting Zuko concerned and worried looks
The king led Zuko to a small baloney decorated with beautiful flowers from across the world and in the middle stood a pai sho table. They bowed to each other before sitting at the table
The king gestured to Zuko. "The guest has the first move." Zuko silently moved a white lotus tile to the centre of the board. "I see you favour the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways." The king cupped his hands toward Zuko
"Those who do can always find a friend," Zuko mimicked him
"Then let us play," they started placing their tiles around the board, until they formed a lotus flower. "Welcome, Prince Zuko," the king smiled fondly at him. "The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets"
"Thank you, King Bumi," Zuko smiled back.
"So, Iroh was right," Bumi raised an eyebrow at him. "The Avatar, eh?"
"Yes, I'm helping the Avatar," Zuko nodded, watching Bumi bring out a vial of blood for him, which he accepted gratefully and added it to the tea that the servants had just brought out. "Once he's somewhat mastered earthbending, I'll start teaching him firebending."
"Good plan," Bumi smiled taking a sip of his tea. "Now, eventually, I know Aang will seek me out to ask me to be his earthbending teacher, which I will have to decline"
"You're thinking of someone else for him," Zuko having a vague idea on who
"It will be someone who has mastered neutral jing," Bumi explained, taking a biscuit from the plate in front of them. "Someone who waits and listens before striking. Someone, I believe you and I both are familiar with"
"Ah," Zuko figured. "My sister from another nation. She would do it, if only to get away from her parents for a bit. Do you have paper and a messenger hawk? I should write to her. I haven't written to her in a while."
"We do," Bumi gestured to the nearby servant to get said items and didn't blink when in that moment the sun finished its descent and Zuko transformed in his dragon form.
By the time he had finished writing his letter, which he knew would be read by his friend's most trusted servant, the guards led him to the chamber where his friends were. They looked up from where they had been laying on their beds, to see their now scaly friend walk in.
"Zuko!" They exclaimed running over to him. Zuko raised his eyebrow when he saw Momo sucked in an air vent, obviously his friends' attempt of escape.
"Are you okay?" Katara asked, checking him over. "Did they do anything to you?"
"I'm fine," Zuko assured them, walking over to pull Momo out of the vent, much to the lemur's appreciation as he rubbed his head against Zuko's long neck in thanks. "The king really did just want to play pai sho with me. Apparently, he's pai sho buddies with my uncle."
"Oh, well that's good, right?" Sokka smiled unsurely, as he laid down on one of the provided beds.
"Yes, it means that he won't hurt us," Zuko said before he burns a bit of stone floor and laid down on the now burnt and heated spot. "Even with the challenges he has plan for Aang."
"Did he tell anything about them," Aang asked hopefully.
"No, sorry, he didn't," Zuko yawned as he got comfortable on his heated patch.
"That's ok, Zuko. Well, let's get some rest, Aang," Katara suggested as Aang and her also laid down. "Looks like you'll need it for tomorrow"
When Aang woke up the next morning, he was shocked to find his friends missing. "Sokka? Katara? Zuko?" He turned to the guard that had just walked in. "Where are my friends?"
"The king will free them if you complete your challenges," the guard explained
"And if I fail?" Aang asked, hoping Zuko was right about the king not hurting any of them
"He didn't say," the guard gestured to him. "Your staff, please?" After he was taken to the king and commenting on his outfit, Aang tried to refuse the king's challenges.
"I don't have time for your crazy games!" Aang yells aggressively at the king. "Give me my friends back! We're leaving!"
"Oh, I thought you might refuse," A wall near them opens, revealing Katara ad Sokka struggling in the grasp of a guard. A very human Zuko simply stood there calmly, with just the guard's hand on his shoulder. "So, I will give your friends some special souvenirs."
Aang looked over to watch the guards place a green ring on Katara's finger, which glowed and tightened around her finger. He looked to see Sokka with a one ring and Zuko with a red one. "Those delightful rings are made of pure jennamite, also known as creeping crystal." The king explained. "It's a crystal that grows remarkably fast. By nightfall your friends will be completely covered in it. Terrible thing, really. I can stop it, but only if you cooperate"
Sokka start to panic when his ring began to expand toward his hand. "Ah! It's already creeping!"
"I'll do what you want," Aang agreed seriously.
Only the king noticed Zuko sniff his expanding ring and smiled at the sweet smell coming from it. He looked over at Bumi, who subtly smirked at him. Making sure his friends weren't looking, Zuko turned his tongue into his dragon one and licked the red gem, smiling at the sweet taste.
After performing a series of weird tasks, including getting a key in the middle of a waterfall, finding the king's pet goat gorilla, Flopsie, and having a duel with the king, Aang waited for the king to release his friends who were almost completely encased.
"Well done, Avatar," the king complimented him. "You fight with much fire in your heart. You've passed all my tests. Now, you must answer one question"
"That's not fair!" Aang exclaimed. "You said you would release my friends if I finished your tests"
"Oh, but what's the point of tests if you don't learn anything?" the king raised an eyebrow at him. "Answer this one question and I will set your friends free. What… is my name?" The king looked over at his friends, who heads were the only thing visible. "From the looks of your friends I'd say you only have a few minutes." The king left him to think.
"How am I supposed to know his name?" Aang looked at Zuko. "Zuko, you said he was friends with your uncle. Do you know what his name is?"
"I do, but I can't tell you," Zuko answered. "I've been sworn to secrecy. And besides, this is for you to answer Aang. You can do it, you're a smart kid"
"Thanks, Zuko," Aang turned to his other friends. "What do you think guys?"
"Think about the challenges," Katara suggested. "Maybe it's some kind of riddle"
"I got it!" Sokka exclaimed.
"Yeah?" Aang looked at him, hopefully
"He's an earthbender, right?" Sokka looked at him, smiling. "Rocky. You know, because of all the rocks"
"We're going to keep trying," Katara said, ignoring Zuko's sniggering. "But that is a good back-up"
"Okay." Aang began to think. "So back to the challenges. I got a key from the waterfall, I saved his pet, and I had a duel"
"And what did you learn?" Zuko coaxed him along. Just because he couldn't say the name, doesn't mean he couldn't help along
"Well, everything was different than I expected," Aang rubbed his chin
"And?" Zuko prompted
"Well, they weren't straight forward. To solve each test, I had to think differently than I usually would," Something finally clicked for Aang. "I know his name."
He soon found himself in front of the king. "I solved the question the same way I solved the challenges. As you said a long time ago, I had to open my brain to the possibilities." He smiled at the now laughing king. "Bumi, you're a mad genius"
Bumi and Aang hugged each other. "Oh Aang, it's good to see you." Bumi rubbed the bald head in his arms. "You haven't changed a bit. Literally"
"Uh, over here!" Katara said still trapped in the crystal
"Little help?" Sokka suggested, his mouth the only thing visible
Bumi broke the crystal apart and caught a piece. "Jennamite is made of rock candy." He takes a bite of it. "Delicious!"
"Agreed!" They turned to see Zuko chewing on a piece of the red crystal he had been trapped in. He saw their looks. "What? The advantages of having sharp and hard dragon teeth," he pointed at his sharp teeth before taking another bite.
"So, this crazy king is your old friend Bumi?" Katara asked as they left the prince to enjoy his treat
"Who are you calling old?" Bumi asked, before thinking for a second. "Okay, I'm old"
"Why did you do all of this instead of just telling Aang who you were?" Sokka asked
"First, it's pretty fun messing with people," Bumi snorted as he explained. He turned to Aang. "But I do have a reason. Aang, you have a difficult task ahead. The world has changed in the hundred years that you've been gone. It's the duty of the Avatar to restore balance to the world by defeating Fire Lord Ozai. You have much to learn. You must master the four elements and confront the Fire Lord. And when you do, I hope you will think like a mad genius. And it looks like you're in good hands. You'll need your friends to help defeat the Fire Lord." He smiled as Momo climbed up Aang. "And you'll need Momo, too"
"Thank you for your wisdom," Aang bowed to Bumi before getting a mischievous look in his eyes. "But before we leave, I have a challenge for you"
Aang spent the rest of his visit to Omashu, riding the mail system with Bumi. Water sibling simply laughed, while Zuko felt sorry for the cabbage merchant who was shouting about his cabbages after Bumi and Aang destroyed the man's cabbage cart again
(Scene break)
After leaving Omashu, the group settled down in a forest, near a stream. Zuko, Aang and Katara looked up when Sokka approached.
"Great, you're back!" Aang exclaimed enthusiastically, as Sokka digs through his bag. "What's for dinner?"
"We've got a few options," He brought out nuts. "First; rough nuts. And oval shaped nuts? And some rock-shaped nits, that might just be rocks." He through over to Momo. "Dig in!"
The others looked dubiously at him. "Seriously…" Katara looked at the nuts. "What else you got?"
Suddenly they were interrupted by the earth shaking. "What was that?" Sokka asked, as the earth shake again.
"It's coming from over there!" Aang pointed towards further down the creek.
"Shouldn't we run away from huge booms? Not toward them?" Sokka called after Aang and Katara. He slumped when they didn't listen but looked up when he felt Zuko patting his shoulder, giving him a sympathising look. They followed the other two
They hid behind a fallen trunk and found a young man earthbending. Zuko squinted at the earthbender, 'Wait! Is that?'
"An earthbender!" Katara quietly exclaimed
"Let's go meet him!" Aang suggested
"He looks dangerous, so we better approach cautiously," Sokka warned. Only to look up to see Katara a few feet in front of them.
"Hello there!" She called excitedly. "I'm Katara! What's your name?" They were surprised when the boy stopped earthbending and started running away from them
"Nice to meet you!" Aang shouted after him
"I just wanted to say hi," Katara shrugged
"Hey! That guy's gotta be running somewhere," Aang pointed out. "Maybe we're near a village? And I bet that village has a market!"
"Which means no nuts for dinner!" Zuko said excitedly
"Hey!" Sokka said as he walked behind them. "I worked hard to get those nuts!" Zuko gave him a look as he placed his hooded cloak on. "Yeah, I hate 'em too"
As they walked through the town, Zuko started to recognise the place. It was one of the places he sent refugees. But he doesn't remember it being this deserted. He shook his head as he watched Aang try to trade the nuts for a hat. He heard Katara quietly say, "Hey…" He followed Katara's line of sight to see the boy from before, and they walked towards the building the boy walked into
"Hey," Katara said, startling the boy who was talking with what must be his mother. "You're that kid. Why did you run away before?"
"Uh, you must have me confused with some other kid," the boy looked nervously at his mother before turning back to them
"No, she doesn't," Aang said, as he, Sokka and Zuko walked in. Zuko decided to keep his hood up, hoping this conversation would clue him in on why the town looked like a ghost town and to confirm his suspicions. "We saw you earthbending"
The mother gasped in horror before promptly slamming the door and windows shut. "They saw you doing what?!"
"They're crazy, Mom!" he gestured to them. "I mean, look at how they're dressed"
The mother however ignored them. "You know how dangerous that is! You know what would happen if they caught you earthbending!"
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Open up!" a deep male voice called
Sokka peaked through the nearby window, and saw men dressed in red armour, "Fire Nation! Act natural!"
While he pretended to browse the shelves, Zuko rolled his eyes under his hood when his friends didn't look even a bit natural. He watched as Fire Nation solider walked in and stares sourly at them.
"What do you want?" the mother asked to the man. "I've already paid you this week!"
"The tax just doubled," The man smirked arrogantly at her. He then formed a small fireball between his hands. "And we wouldn't want an accident, would we? Fire is sometimes so hard to control."
Zuko silently balled his fist at the obvious threat. He watched angrily as the man walked over to the counter, when the mother opens a small chest and passes the man a small handful of Earth Kingdom money.
"You can keep the copper ones." The man dropped four copper pieces on the floor before walking out
"What a horrible man," Zuko took his hood off.
"Prince Zuko!" the mother and boy exclaimed bowing towards him.
"Hello, Haru, Terra," he smiled at them, bowing back at them.
"Wait!" Katara looked at him in surprise. "You know them, Zuko?"
"Of course. This is one of the towns that I bring refugees to," He frowned, turning to Haru and Terra. "However, I found a small troop of young fire nation soldiers that were willing to protect this town in my name a year ago. What happened to them?"
"It was terrible," Terra looked down, eyes tearing up. "This larger troop came out of nowhere. The soldiers you left with us tried their best to protect us, but the others overwhelmed them. They started to mine coal in the nearby mines, and they built some sort of prison rig just off the coast." She pointed out the window, towards a small hill. "During their time here, this town's soldiers told us how the Fire Nation cremate their dead. We scattered their ashes up there"
"Thank you," Zuko said gratefully. "I have their files, so I can send their families letters, telling them that their family members died honourably." He frowned again. "I assume that the new soldiers are the reason Haru can't reveal his earthbending?"
"Yes," Terra nodded, looking sad. "They've made earthbending forbidden. If he does, they will take Haru away, just like did his father"
"That's terrible," Katara said sadly. "Having to hide your bending." The others agreed with her.
Later that afternoon Haru showed them to the barn. "My mom said you can sleep here tonight. But you should leave in the morning."
"Thanks," Aang looked over to where Appa was. "I'll make sure Appa doesn't eat all your hay." They looked over to where Appa had a massive among of hay in his mouth.
"I'm sorry about what happened to your father," Zuko apologised.
"It's okay," Haru accepted the apology. "He was very courageous. When that troop invaded, he and the other earthbenders tried to help the soldiers you left with us. They were all outnumbered ten to one. But they fought back anyway"
"He sounds like a great man," Katara commented.
"After the attack, they killed the fire soldiers protecting us, rounded up my and the other earthbenders, and took them to that prison rig of theirs," he explained, walking out of the barn
"So that's why you hide your bending," Katara said, following him
"Yeah," he floated a couple of small stones around his hand. "Problem is… the only way I can feel close to my father now is when I practice my bending. He taught me everything I know"
Zuko looked on sadly as Katara and Haru walked away, bonding over lost parents to the Fire Nation. Later that evening, Katara told them about her and Haru helping an old man from a collapsed mine entrance with Haru's bending.
"It was so brave of Haru to use his earthbending to help that old man," Katara praised as she settled into her sleeping bag
"You must have really inspired him," Aang complimented, where he was laying on Appa's head
"I guess so," Katara blushed.
"Everyone should get some sleep," Sokka suggested, as he settled against the warm side of Zuko's dragon form. "We're leaving at dawn"
"Dawn?!" Katara exclaimed unhappily. "Can't we sleep in for once?"
"Absolutely not!" Sokka said commandingly, ignoring the almost asleep Zuko glaring at him for waking him. "This village is crawling with Fire Nation troops. If they discover you're here, Aang, we'll be eating fireballs for breakfast. Goodnight."
"I'd rather eat fireballs than nuts," Katara said slyly, with a wry smirk causing Zuko to quietly laugh
Sokka glared at the laughing dragon, "You, shut it." And with finality. "Good night!"
The next morning, as the boys were packing up, Katara came running back into the barn, "They took him!" she exclaimed emotionally. "They took Haru away!"
"What?!" They shouted.
"The old man turned him in to the Fire Nation!" She looked down guiltily. "It's all my fault! I forced him into earthbending!"
"Slow down, Katara," Sokka placed his hand on her shoulder supportively. "When did this happen?"
"Terra said they came for him at midnight," Katara answered
"Then it's too late to track him, he's long gone," Sokka looked at her sadly
"We don't need to track him," Zuko pointed out. "Remember. Haru mentioned that they had took the earthbenders to a prison rig offshore. We just need to figure out a way to sneak in"
"I know how we can sneak in," Katara said, as she clenched her fists
"How?" Aang asked, confused
"I'm going to be arrested for earthbending," She answered determinedly, much to the boys' horror
After tricking some fire soldiers into thinking Katara was an earthbender, the boys followed the transport ship to the prison rig. Sokka saw Aang staring nervously at the ship. "She'll be fine, Aang. Katara knows what she's doing"
The ship docked at the rig, and Katara along with some other benders, were led down to the deck and told to line up. She watched as what she assumed was the warden approached.
"Earthbenders," He started smugly. "It is my pleasure to welcome you aboard my modest shipyard. I am your warden. I prefer to think of you not as prisoners, but as honoured guests," He mocked. "And I hope you come to think of me as your humble and caring host. You will succeed here if you simply abide…"
He was interrupted by one of the prisoners. He glared at the man and shoots a blast of fire in front of the man, making him cower in fear. "What kind of guest dishonours his host by interrupting him?! Take me below!" He gestured to his guards to move. "One week in solitary will improve his manners. Simple treat me with the courtesy that I give you…" He approached Katara and stared her down. "And we'll get along famously"
He led them along, passing prisoners working tiredly on ships, as he continued to talk. "You will notice earthbenders, that this rig is made entirely of metal. You are miles away from any rock or earth. So, if you have any illusions about employing that brutish savagery that passes for bending among you people… forget them. It is impossible. Good day"
"Katara?" She heard named being called. She spotted Haru and runs to hug him. "Haru!"
"What are you doing here?" Haru asked confusingly
"It's my fault you were captured," she said somewhat apologetic. "I came to rescue you"
"So, you got yourself arrested?" Haru asked shocked
"It was the only way to find you," Katara replied
"You've got guts, Katara. I'll give you that," he shook his head as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. There's someone I want you to meet." He led her over to an old, grey-bearded man, eating dinner.
"Katara. This is my father, Tyro." Haru gestured to the man. "Dad. This is Katara"
"It's an honour to meet you," Katara slightly bowed to him
"Have some dinner, Katara," Tyro passed her a bowl. "It's not as bad as it looks," He chuckles at her disgusted face as she tasted the dinner. "It's still pretty bad though"
A prisoner walked up to them and laid a hand on Tyro's shoulder. "Tyro. The prisoners are complaining there aren't enough blankets to go around"
"I'll talk to the guards," Tyro said. "In the meantime, make sure the elderly are taken care of." He turned back to Katara. "Now, Haru told me that you are traveling with the Avatar and the Fire Prince. Is this correct?"
"Yes, I am," Katara replied
"Then this is a sign," Tyro smiled at her. "A sign that we will have our freedom soon."
"You will," Katara said, she looked around to make sure none of the guards were nearby. "My brother and friends will be coming soon. We'll figure out an escape plan."
"In the meantime, I'll spread the news," Tyro got up to tell the other prisoners.
After meeting up with the boys and coming up with a plan, Katara spread the plan to the other prisoners with Tyro and Haru's help. Soon it was morning, and Katara sneaked over to where Sokka and Zuko were sitting near an air duct.
"It's almost time," Katara whispered. "You sure this is gonna work?"
"It should. These vents reminded me of our little trick back at the village," Sokka explained. "We're gonna do the same thing, but on a much bigger scale. There's a huge deposit of coal at the base of the silo. And the whole system is ventilated. Aang closed off all the vents except one. When he does his airbending the coal only has one place to go, right back here"
"Let's just hope it works," Zuko said, as the other two nodded
"There's the intruder!" a guard shouted, having spotted them
"Stay back! I'm warning you!" Sokka said as he pulled out his boomerang as they were surrounded by guards
"Wait!" one of the guards near the warden shouted, spotting the boy with a scar. "Isn't that Prince Zuko?" Causing some of the guards to shift nervously at the thought of attacking a royal, banished or not
"If it is then he is a traitor," the warden sneered, before turning to the teens not noticing the looks being exchange between the prisoners. "You're all one mistake away from dying where you stand"
Suddenly the rig begins to shake. The ventilation shaft burst off its hinges as an immense blast of coal soars into the air, crashing down into a pile. Everyone watched as Aang leaps out of the shaft, coved in soot and dirt.
"Here's your chance!" Katara called as she held up a piece of coal. "Take it!"
Before the prisoner could move, the warden started laughing. "Foolish girl. You thought a few words and some coal would change these people?" The warden smirked at her. "Look at these blank, hopeless faces. Their spirits were broken a long ti…" his speech was cut short when he had to jump back from the fireball Zuko had sent his way
"You talk too much," Zuko said before shooting another fireball at the warden feet.
"Show no mercy!" The warden shouted to the guards near him, making them sent fireballs at the prince, only for a wall of coal to raise up in front of him.
Everyone looked over at Tyro who had his arms raised in an earthbending stance. "For Prince Zuko! For the Earth Kingdom! Attack!"
The prisoners started attacking the guards with the coal. Katara and Aang chase after Sokka as he snaps soldiers' spears in two with his boomerang, Momo collecting the broken spears as he went. Tyro and Haru managed to compress some of the coal into a giant lump before throwing it at the prison doors, smashing them to pieces.
"Get to the ships!" Tyro called to the other prisoners, pointing to the broken doors. "We'll hold them off!" The prisoners followed his orders running towards the entrance.
"Do not let them escape!" The warden shouted at his men
Suddenly everyone stopped in their tracks when they all heard a loud and mighty roar. The warden and guards' eyes widen in awe and horror as Prince Zuko transformed into a Dragon! Many of the guards immediately surrendered to the earthbending prisoners, not wanting to up against a dragon, banished prince or not.
Zuko flew into the air and breathed out a rainbow-coloured ring of fire around the surrendered guards, keeping them in place. He felt a fire blast bounce off the back of his head. He turned and golden slitted eyes narrowed at the warden and his personal guards, who had not surrendered. He spent his own fireball at the feet the men, making them stumble and fall over.
He then flew at them and grabbed the warden by his arms. The warden screamed as his feet left the ground. He looked down to see the rig floor had been replaced with ocean. Next to him, he saw his personal guards on a pile of coal, which crumbled underneath them, causing them to fall into the water below. He looked up at the growling prince holding him.
"No, please, your highness!" He pleaded to the young drake. "I can't swim!"
"Don't worry. I hear cowards float," Zuko growled, before releasing the warden, who fell in where his men were. Before he left, his sharp dragon eyes pick up on something blue glittering on the rig floor.
Zuko flew down to pick the object up and flew over to the four barges the prisoners had hijack, going into each one to light the fires, to get them moving. He flew along side the front barge where Katara stood with Haru and Tyro, talking. He looked down at the object he had picked up and recognised immediately. He then heard Katara shout, "My mother's necklace! It's gone!"
Zuko flew closer to the ship, "Katara!" He got her attention. "I believe this belongs to you!" He held out his paw to show her what was in it.
"My necklace!" She exclaimed, taking it, and placing it back around her neck.
"I spotted it on my out," Zuko explained. "You must have dropped it at some point during the fight"
"Well, thank you, Zuko," Katara reached over the rail, and gave him a scratch behind his ear, one of his favourite spots, causing him to purr. "I can only imagine what could have happened to it, if you hadn't spotted it." Zuko smiled at her, as they headed away from the prison rig