XVI/ Fool plan
It didn't take long for Elsa and her friends to join the place where Haru's mother was standing. The woman was gazing toward again the horizon, lost in thought. Elsa called out her name, "Nara!"
The woman turned around, her face lined with worry. "What is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation.
Elsa approached her, her expression sympathetic. "Katara told us what happened. We're going to get Haru back."
Nara looked at Elsa in confusion, her eyes still filled with tears. "How?"
Katara stepped forward, her voice filled with determination. "I'm going to make the Fire Nation think I'm an earthbender and get arrested. Then, I'll find Haru and we'll escape together."
Nara stared at Katara, incredulous. "That's too dangerous! You're just a child!"
"I know," Katara admitted, her voice softening. "But Haru has been taken because of me. I have to help him."
Nara's expression was conflicted. "I can't allow you to go on your own."
"She won't be alone," Elsa interjected firmly. "We'll be there to protect her and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Nara looked at Elsa, then at the others, looking for reassurance. Aang stepped forward, his voice filled with quiet strength. "Elsa's right. And I can help with saving your son."
"How?" Nara asked with uncertainty and confusion. "You're just a boy."
Aang hesitated a bit, but after sharing a glance with Elsa, straightened up and declared. "Because I'm the Avatar."
Nara's eyes widened in shock and Elsa could see an array of complex and diverse emotions in the woman's expression. "The Avatar? But… you disappeared a hundred years ago…"
"I'm here now," Aang said gently, though Elsa noticed her friend seemed burdened in a similar way as she had been after having hurt Anna. "I'll help your son and I'll bring an end to that pain I'm seeing."
Silence fell as Nara processed the information. The presence of both Elsa and the Avatar gave her a glimmer of hope. Finally, she looked at Katara. "How do you plan to convince them you're an earthbender?"
Katara explained, "There's an air vent near the mines. Aang can use his airbending to move a rock and make it look like I'm earthbending."
Elsa's eyebrows rose slightly. "Simple yet ingenious," she mused.
Nara nodded slowly, still conflicted but seeing the potential in the plan. "Alright. But you'll need clothes that make you look like an earthbender," she said, glancing at Katara's Water Tribe attire.
Elsa agreed, "She's right. Your clothes are very distinct from those Haru or Nara are wearing."
Katara looked down at her clothes, then back at Nara. "I don't have anything like that…"
"I can help with that," Nara said, determination replacing her earlier despair. "It's my way of helping save my son."
"Thank you," Katara said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Nara led them into the house, rummaging through old clothes until she found something suitable. Katara changed quickly, emerging in earth-toned garments that made her look like she belonged in the Earth Kingdom.
Aang's eyes lit up when he saw her. "You look like you're from the Earth Kingdom now!"
Katara smiled at the compliment. Nara stepped closer, her brow furrowed. "Not exactly," she said, pointing to Katara's necklace. "That's still very much Water Tribe."
Katara instinctively touched her mother's necklace. Elsa, noticing the gesture, felt a pang of understanding as she knew how much the necklace meant for her friend.
"Katara, it might be safer if you took it off for now," she advised gently.
The young waterbender looked conflicted, her fingers still resting on the pendant. "I know… It's just it means a lot to me…"
Aang, sensing her hesitation, stepped forward. "I can keep it safe for you," he offered, his eyes earnest.
Katara looked at him, a mixture of gratitude and affection in her gaze. "Thank you, Aang," she said softly, handing him the necklace.
Elsa watched the exchange, thinking of how Aang's earnestness and kindness reminded her of her sister Anna. She knew Katara was a good influence on Aang, much like Kristoff was for Anna.
Sokka rolled his eyes and couldn't resist a comment. "Yeah. I'm just your brother."
Katara rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, Sokka! Aang's just a good friend." She patted the side of Aang's head affectionately. "A sweet, little guy! Just like Momo." Momo, who had been gliding nearby, landed on Aang's shoulder, chittering happily.
Aang's face fell slightly. "Thanks."
Elsa placed a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder, her touch meant to reassure him.
Appreciating the gesture, Aang's dismay slipped away as he met Katara's gaze. "I promise I'll keep it safe," he said earnestly, fully aware of how much it meant to her.
"Thank you, Aang," Katara replied, her voice filled with warmth.
Elsa turned to Nara. "Is there anything else we need to know?"
Nara shook her head, her eyes pleading. "Just... please save my son."
Elsa gave her a reassuring nod. "We will. I promise." Aang, Katara, and Sokka echoed her promise.
Katara then took the lead. "Come on, everyone. We need to get to the mines."
They bid farewell to Nara and left the house. As they walked, Momo flitted around, occasionally landing on each of them, his antics bringing light moments to their tense march.
Elsa, walking alongside the group, felt a deep sense of responsibility. These children, though capable and brave, were still young. She couldn't help but feel protective, especially in this perilous situation.
"Stay close," Elsa advised, her tone firm yet caring.
Aang, ever eager to help, nodded. "We're right behind you, Elsa."
Sokka, despite his usual sarcasm, showed a rare moment of sincerity. "We've got this. Together."
Katara led them on the path she had walked with Haru the previous evening, her determination clear in every step. As they were moving, Elsa hoped that Katara's plan and her new clothes would help to fool the Fire Nation about her being an earthbender. Yet, she was also aware that not every plan succeeded. Momo glided alongside them, occasionally darting off to investigate something that caught his interest.
Aang couldn't help but comment. "You know, you gave something to Nara very important, Elsa."
Elsa looked intrigued at the young airbender. "Which is?"
He gave her a big shiny smile, "Hope. You and Katara knew how to bring out hope and confidence."
The young queen's expression softened at the airbender's words a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips. She hadn't quite realized the depth of impact her words could have, but hearing Aang's perspective made her appreciate the significance of what she had done.
"I hadn't thought of it that way," she admitted. "But you're right, hope is a powerful thing. It can keep people going even in the darkest of times."
Aang nodded in agreement, his expression serious yet glowing with joy. "Exactly. And I know hope is what the world needs."
He looked pensive and a bit down before adding, "I hope I would be able to bring that as you do."
The young queen looked at him with a sympathetic glance, understanding well what he meant and thinking about the toll this world must have suffered from so many years of war. But seeing him a bit down saddened her and she felt once again how unfair it was for him to bear the burden of bringing peace and balance to a world struck by war for decades. It echoed with the burden she used to bear for so many years. She felt that at one point, she needed Aang to confide what was troubling him.
"You will," she said in a confident and reassuring voice. "I know you can and you won't be alone to achieve it."
Aang widely smiled at her, grateful of her support and confidence.
Elsa then turned her gaze to Katara, curiosity evident in her eyes. "So, Katara, can you tell us more of your plan?" she asked.
The young waterbender's expression became determined as she explained her idea. "Well, I noticed there's an air vent near the entrance to the mines," she began, gesturing in the direction they were headed. "I'm thinking we can use it to our advantage."
"How?" Aang asked, curiosity evident in his voice as he looked between Katara and Elsa.
Katara's eyes sparkled with confidence as she outlined her plan. "We'll place a rock over the air vent and rely on your airbending to create the illusion of earthbending," she explained. "Hopefully, that'll be enough to fool the Fire Nation soldiers."
Aang's curiosity piqued even further as he considered the plan. "Wow, that's really clever!" he exclaimed, admiration evident in his voice.
Elsa nodded in agreement, impressed by Katara's ingenuity. Sokka however expressed his reservations on the idea. "I still don't know about this whole pretending-to-be-an-earthbender thing."
Katara met her brother's gaze, her resolve unwavering. "Trust me, Sokka. It'll work," she said confidently, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Alright, but we need to remember to keep Aang and Elsa hidden," her brother pointed out, his tone serious. "We don't want the Fire Nation getting any ideas about them."
Elsa acquiesced in agreement to his words. "You're right. We'll be discrete."
Aang chimed in with a big smile, "Yeah! No need to worry, Sokka. I'll be as discrete as a breeze."
Elsa smiled at the young airbender's energy while Katara and Sokka looked at him with confidence but also some reservations. She couldn't blame them, considering how easily distracted their friend could be.
As they approached the mines, Katara's gaze flickered towards the entrance of the mines. "I think I know just the place where we can implement my plan," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Haru and I came by the place yesterday."
She showed them an entrance nearby which was an air vent and not far away a large rock. Elsa's sharp eyes caught sight of another air vent hidden behind the rock, and she guessed what Katara had in mind for her and Aang.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she whispered to Katara, an intrigued glint in her eyes.
The young Water tribe girl grinned, confirming Elsa's suspicions. "This rock will provide a perfect cover for Aang and you," she explained before turning her eyes on the young Avatar, "And there's another air vent hidden behind it that would allow you to airbend the rock we will use for our plan."
Aang's eyes widened with realization, excitement bubbling up within him. "That's brilliant!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
Elsa's lips curved into a smile at Aang's excitement, feeling a surge of confidence in their plan. "It's brilliant," she praised, her admiration for her friend evident in her tone.
"I guess it could work," Sokka admitted begrudgingly, a hint of optimism creeping into his voice.
Turning to his sister, he raised an eyebrow, his curiosity evident. "But how do you intend to fool the Fire Nation soldiers?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
Katara met her brother's gaze with unwavering confidence. "We'll act out a dispute, and at one point, I'll say 'Earthbending style'," she explained, her voice steady. "That'll signal to Aang to airbend the rock through the air vent to make the Fire Nation guards believe I'm really earthbending."
Elsa interjected softly, "It's a solid plan, but perhaps we should think of a signal that's tied to earthbending but more natural. We don't want to raise suspicions."
Katara nodded thoughtfully, recognizing the validity of the young queen's concern. "You're right. We need something subtle yet effective," she conceded.
Sokka, ever the punster, couldn't resist chiming in. "How about 'Rocky crush'?" he suggested with a grin, pleased with his own wordplay.
Aang chuckled at the pun, while Katara rolled her eyes playfully. "Really, Sokka? Well, it's not the worst idea," she admitted with a smile, acknowledging its potential.
Elsa considered the Water tribe boy's suggestion, nodding in agreement. "Actually, that could work. It's natural enough not to raise suspicion," she conceded, impressed by Sokka's creativity. The latter smiled with pride that his suggestion was accepted.
With the signal settled, Katara turned to Aang, her expression serious. "Aang, will you remember 'Rocky crush'?" she asked, wanting to ensure their plan went smoothly.
Aang nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with determination. "Of course, Katara. I won't forget," he assured her, his confidence bolstered by her trust.
Elsa placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll be right there with him to make sure everything goes according to plan," she promised, her voice steady with determination.
Katara smiled gratefully, feeling reassured by her presence. "Thanks, Elsa. I appreciate it," she said, a sense of relief washing over her.
The young queen acquiesced. "Now let's get ready."
Her friends acquiesced in agreement.
Sokka suggested, "Katara, let's get that boulder over the air vent."
Katara nodded and moved toward the boulder her brother had shown.
"Do you two need any help?" Elsa asked, offering her support.
Katara and Sokka exchanged a glance before nodding in unison. "That would be helpful, Elsa," the waterbender answered with a grateful smile.
With a shared nod, Katara and Sokka then braced themselves against the boulder, preparing to push it over the air vent. As they exerted their strength to displace it, Elsa raised her hands and created with her powers a strong icy cushion to help her friends move the boulder more easily.
Aang, not one to stand idly by, decided to lend a hand as well. With a burst of airbending, he lifted the boulder slightly, lightening the load for his friends and helping Elsa in her endeavor.
Together, they all worked in harmony, pushing the boulder over the air vent with ease. As it settled into place, Elsa stepped back, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Nice work, everyone," she praised, her voice filled with pride.
Katara and Sokka exchanged a triumphant grin, their spirits buoyed by their success. "Thanks, Elsa," the waterbender said gratefully, her eyes shining with determination.
Sokka nodded in agreement, a proud smile on his face. "Yeah, thanks for the help," he added, his tone sincere.
Aang beamed at them, his excitement bubbling over. "That was awesome!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
As they stepped back to admire their handiwork, a sense of satisfaction washed over them.
"You know, I thought you were crazy at first, Katara, but this might work," Sokka commented with an impressed and praising voice.
Katara grinned at her brother's words, pleased to have won over his initial skepticism. "I told you we could do it, Sokka," she replied, her voice filled with satisfaction.
Elsa smiled at the two siblings, thinking of how Anna and she interacted. Glancing at Aang, she saw him snapping small puffs of air at a sooty copper fritillary butterfly. She was both amused and a bit concerned as she knew they couldn't allow much distraction the moment they would have to act.
"Now let's get ready to put our plan into action," she said to her friends.
Katara and Sokka nodded to her while Aang snapped out of his games with the butterfly and moved behind the big boulder hiding him and the second air vent from sight. Elsa sent a glance at Katara, "Be careful," she said in a concerned voice.
The young water tribe sent her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Elsa moved swiftly behind the boulder, sitting near Aang. He saw the butterfly flying again nearby him and restarted playing with it with small puffs of air. Elsa was amused by the sight but was aware the young airbender couldn't be distracted so much.
"Don't lose focus, Aang. Katara's plan depends on you."
Aang distractedly looked at her, "Yeah, yeah. Just relax," he said dismissively, "I know what to do."
Elsa shook her head. As fun and innocent as he could be, Aang was still a bit unaware of how dangerous and unpredictable things could turn out. She understood his desire to find moments of joy and playfulness even in the midst of a dangerous situation. However, she also knew the importance of staying focused and alert. But as she was about to express that, Sokka showed a group of firebenders with spears approaching their position. "Here they come! Get in your places!" he said.
Aang immediately stopped playing with the butterfly, which flew away while Momo tried to capture it. Elsa shook her head at the lemur, not wanting to be noticed in any manner by the Fire Nation men. She quickly joined Aang behind the big boulder and stayed alert, ready for any misstep to protect her friends. She heard the approaching footsteps before suddenly hearing Katara and Sokka emphatically shouting.
Sokka angrily shouted, "Get out of my way, pipsqueak!"
"How dare you call me pipsqueak, you giant-eared cretin!" Katara retorted.
Aang held back a laugh, trying not to be overheard, while Elsa listened with a mixture of amusement and concern. It was too over-the-top and she couldn't help but feel worried that the Fire Nation soldiers wouldn't be fooled.
As Aang and she continued to listen, Sokka, just as angrily hunched over, asked, "What did you call me?"
Katara, dramatically swaying her hair loopies, exaggerated, "A giant-eared cretin! Look at those things! Do herds of animals use them for shade?" She imitated an elephant's ears for effect.
Sokka, towering over his sister, whispered to her, "You better back off! Seriously, back off."
Katara, more determined, stood taller over her now-cowering brother, saying, "I will not back off! I bet elephants get together and make fun of how large your ears are!"
Elsa and Aang exchanged amused glances at each other as they listened to the siblings' performance. The young queen was shaking her head and thinking it seemed to work as no reaction from the Fire Nation commenting on how fake it was had been heard yet. She couldn't help but think how easy it was to trick a soldier here, considering how they had managed to enter Omashu.
Then, Sokka, with heightened anger, declared, "That's it! You're going down!"
Katara, ready to execute their plan, announced, "I'll show you who's boss! Rocky crush!"
Elsa immediately whispered, "That's your cue, Aang."
The young airbender instantly leaped up and blasted a strong jet of air into the ventilation duct, sending the boulder levitating into the air. Elsa suddenly realized that Momo was standing behind the boulder, licking himself. She felt sudden concern.
As they heard a guard's surprised voice exclaim, "That lemur! He's earthbending!" Elsa and Aang exchanged puzzled looks. Elsa was stunned and almost facepalming herself for such a stupid claim. Did the guards really see the quarrel or not? Or that Katara's clothes were fitting for a person of the Earth Kingdom?
Fortunately, she heard Sokka angrily say, "No, you idiot, it's the girl."
The relief grew higher as she heard the guard stammering. "Oh. Of course."
Then, Sokka, stepping beside Katara, laid his hands on her shoulders as the boulder fell to the ground. Katara stood patiently as Sokka declared, "I'll hold her."
As they heard the soldiers moving away, Elsa and Aang cautiously left the protection of the boulder. They saw the guards taking away Katara, who sent them a final glance.
Sokka, unhappily tugging at his ears, tested their sizes, before accusing Momo, "Momo, you have some big ears!"
The winged lemur folded his ears back, hunched down, and cooed in protest. Aang chuckled at the interaction, while Elsa smiled at their antics, relieved that their plan had worked, albeit with a slight hiccup. How was a nation whose people could use one of the most dangerous elements able to fight a hundred years old and conquer parts of the world if it used soldiers who were not very smart? However, considering they didn't seem to be surprised or suspicious of the fact the quarrel was over the top, that might not be very surprising. But even Olaf would have been smarter than them.
Looking at the young boys, she declared in a determined voice, "We need to follow them and find where they go."
Aang nodded eagerly, his eyes reflecting his determination to rescue their friend. Sokka acquiesced in agreement. With a shared determination, all three of them moved toward the village, with Momo following closely behind. Elsa hoped they would be able to find in time Katara and Haru before the Fire Nation found out she wasn't an earthbender or that anything terrible befell them.