Fight 41: The Earth King
Appa landed on a tiny islet in the middle of Lake Laogai and everyone came down to let the airbender and his bison (and Momo) enjoy their reunion. But after a time, Sokka wanted to go see the Earth King now and tell him the plan. They had escaped from the Dai Li and got Appa back. They were on a roll! His sister remarked that one good hour after weeks of trouble wasn't much of a roll. He insisted. They could build on it. They needed the Earth King's support in order to invade the Fire Nation when the eclipse happened. But Toph wasn't so sure about that. Things didn't usually go that smoothly for their little gang. The warrior had a good feeling about this though. It would be different this time. Since he sounded so (groundlessly) confident, Katara tried to explain that Long Feng controlled the city and his conspiracy with the Dai Li was too powerful. They should just keep flying and leave this horrible place behind them. The earthbender agreed with her as she had had enough of Ba Sing Se. However, Aang sided with Sokka. Now that Appa was back, nothing was stopping them from telling the Earth King the truth about the conspiracy and the war. And it was the whole reason they had come here in the first place. They had to try. Katara was caving in. Toph still didn't like it. She didn't trust the new positive Sokka and accused him of having been brainwashed by Long Feng. Then they spied three Earth Kingdom ships off in the distance, certainly the Dai Li searching for them. Sokka turned to his sister who hesitated for a second before taking her decision.
And not too long later, Appa roared and started his descent towards the palace of Ba Sing Se. The riders were clinging to the fur of his back for dear life. Toph was especially terrified and begged that they'd buy a new saddle soon. Katara told her friends to be careful. Long Feng had probably warned the King of their arrival.
"Why would you assume that ? If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in-Ahhh!" The words barely left Sokka's lips that - as usual - he was proven wrong when Appa evaded a massive stone that streaked up and past them. Toph asked what it had been. "Surface-to-air rocks!" He answered as in the humongous, city-sized plaza below them earthbending troops launched several rows of massive puck-shaped boulders towards them. "More incoming! Ahhh!" He screamed again. The sky bison dodged most projectiles. Aang shattered one with earthbending without even looking at it and split another with his staff, sending either half safely to the sides.
Below, a commander, mounted upon an armored ostrich-horse, signaled to the scores of earthbenders arrayed behind him on the central causeway. Appa plunged toward the palace. The Avatar leaped downward, landed right behind the commander, and striking the ground with the full force of his descent, he earthbended a cascading ring of rising stone blocks that spread like a shockwave. The soldiers were flung into the air like rag-dolls. Appa landed directly in front of the mounted officer and roared. In panic, the ostrich horse knocked its rider over and fled and the commander crawled away.
Even as they were apologizing, they fought their way up the aisle. They just needed to get through to see the Earth King. As they neared the palace, more earthbenders waited up the first flight of stairs, and dozens lined up along the stream at the foot of the stairs. The benders on the stairs lifted the pair of enormous badger-mole statues that they hurled down at the 'attackers'. However, they crashed against the dome raised up by Toph and Aang. Emerging from behind the barrier, Katara ran forward. Drawing liquid from her waterskin, she crafted a narrow arching ramp on the edge of the moat ahead of her. She used it to launch herself up and over the moat, simultaneously drawing a tendril of water from the stream below. She twirled in the air, spinning the water whip around her, and landing gracefully, she slapped the soldiers into the creek. Spotting another group, she snatched them with a tentacle of water and pulled them into the water as well. Aang jumped across the moat and froze its surface, trapping the guardsmen. Appa and the others made their way across the bridge.
The Avatar's party regrouped as more rocks rained down from atop the towering main palace stair. Yet another wave of warriors poured forth from the building, racing down the stairs to join the battle. The blind girl caused the entire length of the great stair to fold in on itself and become a smooth ramp. The guards slid down helplessly, as Toph and Aang made an elevator platform for everyone and ascended the ramp. Dozen of soldiers fell past them. Sokka too apologized on his friends' behalf, saying they were actually on the same side. The elevator reached the top and another dozen earthguards closed in from the flanks. The two earthbending children drove back the approaching warriors with a wall of stone, one on each side.
The team hurried inside the palace, raced down a long hall, and came to a four-way intersection. More soldiers issued from the other three passageways. Toph pinned a number of them to the ceiling with pillars of rock. As she continued to wield her powers against them, Sokka asked in which direction the Earth King was but couldn't get an answer from her. Actually she still wanted to leave Ba Sing Se right now. While the benders were fighting, the Water Tribe warrior explored the other hallways. He tried several doors without success, and was even mistaken for a burglar by a woman who fainted. He apologized again and closed the door.
Meanwhile, Zuko, Iroh, and Chenlian returned to their apartment. The old man was looking pleased, but Chenlian, who was holding onto her boyfriend's arm, was positively beaming, although she was trying to contain her joy. Then again, it was no wonder for her to be in such a state. Zuko had chosen her! After suffering for so long, after fighting against fear and despair, after struggling to believe all those years, and thinking of giving up countless times... even after they had become a couple... and holding onto that thin thread of hope for dear life that one day, her feelings would reach him, that he'd turn to her and chose her, so that they could truly be together... He had finally chosen her! Her prayers, her efforts, her feelings had reached him! He had chosen her over his family, over the throne... he loved her to this extent! If you believed with all your heart, if your feelings were strong and deep enough, if you always did your best, then something could happen, even if the situation seemed hopeless. Now she was sure of it! Now they would always be together! Now they could be truly happy!
"You did the right thing, letting the Avatar's bison go free." Iroh praised his nephew, closing the door behind him.
"I don't feel right." The boy muttered feebly. He leant more heavily on Chenlian as his vision blurred and grew dark. Suddenly, he collapsed, unconscious, on his lover. The distressed girl tried to hold him up but without success and she fell backwards under his weight. Iroh rushed to them and, alarmed, both he and Chenlian cried his name. She felt guilty. They should have noticed earlier that he was feeling so unwell!
Sokka climbed the pile of rubble that chocked a passage and saw a massive set of double doors, clad in gold. On the other side he sprinted down the hall and launched a flying kick at the colossal doors - with absolutely (and naturally) no effect - and dropped to the floor. He bolted upright and (just as pointlessly) tried to push them before Toph and Aang blasted it away. With a startled cry, Sokka was flung inward with the doors, and skidded to a stop on his face. He demanded a little warning next time. They entered a vast chamber lined with ornate pillars and lit by hanging lanterns and stopped before a large dais, weapons at the ready. Seated upon a golden throne was the Earth King himself, a bespectacled young man wearing a simple crown and necklace of jade beads. Long Feng suddenly interposed himself in front of the king, followed by a protective line of Dai Li agents. Both sides seemed prepared to join battle.
"We need to talk to you!" Aang said gravely and urgently. Long Feng gestured to the children and told the king they were here to overthrow him. Sokka denied the accusation. They were on his side. They were here to help.
"You have to trust us." Katara tried to appeal to him.
"You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my fancy door, and you expect me to trust you?" The sovereign rose with an aggravated tone. Toph sardonically remarked that he had a good point. "If you're own my side, then drop your weapons and stand down." He demanded. One by one, the gang dropped their stances and weapons.
"See, we're friends, your Earthiness." The Avatar attempted the charm approach. Unimpressed, the king kept frowning grimly and with a wave of his arm, Long Feng signaled for the Dai Li to attack. They projected their stone gloves at the startled teenagers binding their arms behind their backs. As Aang strained against his bonds, Long Feng smiled wickedly.
"Detain the assailants." He commanded as the Dai Li took up positions behind the confused captives. They had dropped their weapons. They were his allies! "Make sure the Avatar and his friends never see daylight again." He ordered. This surprised the Earthiness who initially mistook Sokka for the Avatar but the Water Tribe boy nodded his head toward Aang who raised his arms, effortlessly escaping his bonds to draw attention before allowing the stones to bind him again. "What does it matter Your Highness ? They're enemies of the state."
"Perhaps you're right." The king wondered uncertainly. But then, Bosco, the pet bear, walked up to the airbender and affectionately licked his face, causing the child to giggle. "Though Bosco seems to like him." The monarch remarked amusedly before turning serious again. "I'll hear what he has to say." He declared, causing his Grand Secretary to frown in displeasure. Aang approached and flat out said there was a war going on right now for the past 100 years and that the Dai Li had kept secret from him. It was a conspiracy to control the city, and to control him. "A secret war?! That's crazy!" The dismayed Crowned head exclaimed. Long Feng agreed in a derisive tone.
"Long Feng didn't want us to tell you, so he stole our sky bison to blackmail us. And blackmail is the least of his crimes, he brainwashed our friend!" The monk accused.
"All lies. I've never even seen a Sky Bison Your Majesty. Frankly, I thought they were extinct."
"Your claim is difficult to believe, even from an Avatar." Skeptical, the Earth King sat back down on his throne. Long Feng conspiratorially whispered that these hooligans were part of an anarchist cell that his agents had been tracking for weeks. If he listened to them, he'd be playing right into his own destruction. "I have to trust my advisor." The ruler sighed resignedly. The gang looked distraught as they were taken away. But all of a sudden, Sokka had a flash of inspiration.
"Wait, I can prove he's lying. Long Feng said he's never seen a Sky Bison, ask him to lift his robe."
"What ?! I am not disrobing!" The appalled minister shot back. As the monarch appeared thoughtful again, Aang and Sokka smiled and nodded knowingly at each other and the airbender blew a powerful gust of wind at Long Feng, blowing up his robes. The toothmark bruise he received from Appa was clearly visible on his left leg. The boys thought they had got him but their enemy was a slippery one and feigned embarrassment, claiming this was a large birthmark. To prove him wrong, they made Appa come and showed his large teeth that matched the bruise on the minister's leg. That convinced the Earth King that his advisor could not be entirely trusted, but the crazy conspiracy theory was a different matter. However, he admitted this was a matter worth looking into. Apprehensive, Long Feng left the throne room with his Dai Li.
Feverish, Zuko was tossing and moaning on his futon in the apartment. His girlfriend and his uncle were kneeling next to him. Chenlian took a cool wet cloth from a tub of water and placed it on his brow.
"You're burning up. You have an intense fever. This will help cool you down." She tried to sound reassuring despite the concern on her beautiful face. She could now treat cuts and burns relatively easily, she could alleviate pain, she hadn't tried treating internal injuries yet but believed it was possible (although significantly more difficult) as she was just speeding the natural healing process. But this fever was different since it was a physical symptom of his mental turmoil. And there was nothing she could do about psychosomatic ailments. The ill young man weakly said he was thirsty and attempted to sit up but was pushed back down by Iroh who ladled water from another bucket and supported his nephew's shoulders while he drank.
"Here's some clean water to drink. Stay under the blankets, and sweat this out." He advised. Zuko snatched the ladle from him, drained it, and tossed it away before turning and grabbing up the bucket and pouring it down his throat. The water splashed his chest. He hurled the bucket against a wall before settling back down, coughing.
In a train passing over the city, the passengers were all gaping at the Earth King who was standing in the center of the car, flanked by four of his guardsmen. The center of all this attention was rather uncomfortable. He had never ridden a train and didn't expect it to be this... public. Katara was astonished. She was sitting down with Toph and Sokka on either side of her. So he had never been outside the upper ring before? Actually he had never been outside of the palace. However, he seemed quite interested to travel by air... on a sky bison... like on Appa who was flying alongside the train, Aang and Momo on his head. Then he asked where they were headed.
"Underneath Lake Laogai, Your Kingliness, to the Dai Li's secret headquarters. You're about to see where all the brainwashing and conspiring took place." Sokka answered. However, when they arrived at the lake shore and Toph attempted to raise the causeway leading to the underground passage, only broken rubble rose to the surface. It was gone! The Dai Li must have known they were coming and destroyed the evidence. Because of this, the Earth King was growing suspicious though. What an awfully convenient excuse and lack of proof. Long Feng was right, this was a waste of time. He was going to return to the palace when the teens thought about that giant thing stuck in the outer wall that could prove the existence of the war and that the Dai Li shouldn't be able to cover up in time... The annoyed sovereign brushed past a sad Aang, saying he didn't have time for that nonsense and no Earth King had ever been to the outer wall. "If you come with us, this time you can ride on Appa." Sokka offered with a tantalizing tone. Pleased, the king smiled.
But soon, that same king was screaming in fright on Appa's back, his clothes flapping in the wind. Well, not only was it his first time flying, but that first experience was bare-back. He sait it was both thrilling and terrifying, though Toph simply hated it. To be honest, the sovereign really hoped that what the children telling about this war wasn't true, but it was the same for them. They flew west over the patchwork fields between the city and the outer wall.
Zuko was still sleeping, feverish, tossing, turning, and moaning. Iroh had gone to change the water and fix them a quick snack since Chenlian clearly had no intention of leaving her lover's side. She mopped the young man's brow with a damp cloth and wistfully whispered his name.
In his dream, Zuko, clad in the raiment and crown of the Fire Lord, his serene face without scar or blemish, was sitting impassively upon the Firelord's throne-mat, behind a screen of golden flames. Rows of Fire Nation soldiers were kneeling before him. This was... where and how he should be had things followed their natural course. Two sinuous dragons, one blue and one red, slithered down nearby pillars to address him.
"It's getting late. Are you planning to retire soon, my Lord ?" The blue dragon inquired in Azula's voice. The lord replied he wasn't tired. "Relax, Fire Lord Zuko. Just let go, give into it. Shut your eyes for awhile." The blue beast drew closer to his face.
"No, Fire Lord Zuko! Do not listen to the Blue Dragon. You should get out of here right now. Go! Before it's too late!" The Red Dragon cried insistently in Chenlian's voice. Both dragons were poised to either side of Zuko. Once more, the blue one enjoined him to sleep. Both dragons disappeared. The throne room was swallowed by darkness, and the four pillars crumbled into the void. Then it was the turn the soldiers' armors. Zuko looked around in distress. Then he saw the face of the Blue Dragon, which closed in rapidly.
"Sleep... just like MOTHER!" As the jaws were about to completely engulf him, he saw figure of Ursa, who dropped her hood and desperately begged for his help. Distraught, helpless, he sank into the throne mat like into a hole that swallowed everything and where he vanished without a trace.
Appa arrived at the outer wall. As they passed atop it, Aang pointed down excitedly. That thing was still there! Staring in wonder, the king asked what it was. Sokka replied it was a giant drill made by the Fire Nation to break through his walls. That declaration stunned the monarch. They landed on the wall. The drill hadn't moved from that time. It was still sitting in a lake of slurry but was now enclosed by a recently erected perimeter of stone wall.
"I can't believe I never knew." The shaken Earth King muttered. Long Feng arrived on a stone elevator, flanked by two of his agents. He claimed he could explain this and stated in was nothing more than... a construction project.
"Really? Then perhaps you can explain why there's a Fire Nation insignia on your construction project." Katara sarcastically requested as she gestured toward the giant machine the symbol clearly drawn upon its back.
"Well, it's imported of course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery." He lamely tried to weasel his way with a weak smile. But then he noticed the way everyone was staring at him. "Surely you don't believe these children, instead of your most loyal attendant!" He attempted to reason. The Earth sovereign, clearly in shock, looked first to the hopeful heroes then over to Long Feng, who was wearing an unreadable expression.
"Dai Li, arrest Long Feng. I want him to stand trial for crimes against the Earth Kingdom." The monarch ordered. His former Grand Secretary now looked quite alarmed, and the youths surprised. The two Dai Li exchanged glances, and obeyed, securing the arms of their ex-boss behind his back with stone manacles.
"You can't arrest me. You all need me more than you know!" The criminal yelled, outraged as he was dragged away by his old subordinates.
Some time later, inside the Earth King's throne room. The four children were lined before the base of the dais. The King was seated on his throne, his pet bear at his feet. The sovereign thanked the young heroes for opening his eyes. All this time, what he had thought to be a great metropolis, was merely a city of fools, which made him the king fool. They were at war, with the Fire Nation. He buried his face in his hands. Sokka stepped forth. That was why they had come to Ba Sing Se, because they thought His Highness could help them end the war. Momo perched on the King's shoulder.
"We don't have much time. There's a comet coming this summer. Its energy will give the firebenders unbelievable strength. They'll be unstoppable." Aang explained urgently.
"But there is hope. Before the comet comes, we have a window of opportunity. A solar eclipse is coming. The sun will be entirely blocked out by the moon, and the firebenders will be helpless." Sokka pointed out. The king asked what he was suggesting. "That's the day we need to invade the Fire Nation. The Day of Black Sun." He asserted decisively... unlike the king who was rather apprehensive... That would require moving troops out of Ba Sing Se, thus making them completely vulnerable... "You're already vulnerable. The Fire Nation won't stop until Ba Sing Se falls. You can either sit back and wait for that to happen, or take the offensive, and give yourself a fighting chance." Sokka exposed the situation. Everyone waited anxiously as the sovereign considered his options.
"Very well. You have my support." The Earth King finally decided. The gang cheered. Then the General How, leader of The Council of Five (the king's highest-ranking generals) entered the throne room and bowed low. After searching Long Feng's office, they had found something of interest to everybody.
In Long Feng's private study, the king was sitting at his former minister's desk. The others were standing at his side. A guardsman placed a small ornate chest on the table and left. The general told them there were secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se, including them. The Earth monarch opened the chest and handed a rolled up scroll to Toph Bei Fong as it was addressed to her. She gave it to Katara for her to read. It was a letter from Toph's mother who was here in the city and wanted to see her. The runaway's face lit up in surprise before turning to disgust. Long Feng had intercepted their letters from home ... That was just sad. There was a scroll for Aang that had been attached to the bison's horn when the Dai Li had captured it. He read it. It was from the Eastern Air Temple. However, there was unfortunately no letter for Katara and Sokka. They looked dejected for a moment until the general told them he had an intelligence report that might interest them. A small fleet of Water Tribe ship led by Hakoda was protecting the mouth of Chameleon Bay... It was their dad!
While Chenlian finished feeding Zuko an egg drop soup, Iroh poured hot and calming lemon balm tea into a stoneware cup. That plant was known to soothe the entire nervous system, even headache, and stimulate the heart.
"You should know this is not a natural sickness. But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea." The old man supported his nephew's head as he drank it too. Disoriented, the boy asked what was happening. "Your critical decision, what you did beneath that lake... it was in such conflict with your image of yourself, that you are now at war within your own mind and body." He explained as Zuko took a second sip of the tea. However, the wording was too complicated for Zuko in his current state. After voicing his lack of understanding, he collapsed in a fit of coughing. Chenlian stroked his hair, the very picture of concern and love. "You're going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it, you will be the beautiful Prince you were always meant to be."
"It'll be alright. I'm here for you, now, and hereafter." The girl smiled reassuringly from the bottom of her heart and mopped her lover's forehead with the wet cloth.
Aang, Sokka, Toph and Katara were sitting alone in a circle on a rug inside Long Feng's office. The airbender read through his scroll again. It was unbelievable! There was a Guru living at the Eastern Air Temple. Certainly confusing 'guru' with 'fugu', Sokka thought it was some kind of poisonous blowfish but Aang corrected him. It was a spiritual expert... who wanted to teach him how to control the Avatar State. Katara was very happy to know the whereabouts of her father, like Toph was happy that, from the sound of her letter, her mother finally seemed to understand her. This was all such big news... they had no choice but to split up. The monk was distraught. Split up?! Separate now after they had just found Appa and reunited?!
"You have to meet this Guru, Aang. If we're gonna invade the Fire Nation, you need to be ready." Katara firmly told him.
"Well, if I'm going to the Eastern Air Temple, Appa and I can drop you at Chameleon Bay to see your dad." The Avatar suggested with a smile.
"Someone has to stay here with the Earth King and help him plan for the invasion. I guess that's me." Sokka rose to his feet with a glum and resigned expression.
"No Sokka, I know how badly you want to help dad. You go to Chameleon Bay, I'll stay here with the king." His considerate little sis offered.
"You are... the nicest... sister... ever." The big brother stammered, tears welling in his eyes and doing a weird little happy dance, before throwing his arms around her and kissing her cheek.
"Easy there, big brother." She pushed him back. "Though you're right, I am." She added, pleased.
The next morning, the Earth King was descending the great stair to the plaza at its foot where the heroes were gathered around Appa. Katara was pressing affectionately against Appa's flank. Aang looked hesitant, then turned to speak to her.
"Katara, I need to tell you something. I've been wanting to say it for a long time." He began softly, blushed and looked down. She curiously asked what it was. "Katara, I..." However, the Avatar's tottering attempts to tell that girl he liked so much what was on his heart was abruptly interrupted by Sokka who engaged him in a headlock.
"Alright! Who's ready to get going on our little men-only man trip ?!" The all too cheerful brother who couldn't read the mood gave Aang a head-noogie, as Katara stared blankly at them. As the Earth King approached, he wished Aang and Sokka a good journey. Ba Sing Se owed them its thanks, and they looked forward to their return. Sokka released him, and the three teens bowed respectfully to the King. Then a guard informed him that three female warriors from the island of Kyoshi were here to see him. "That's Suki!" Sokka exclaimed as he was climbing Appa's side. The shock made him slip and fall to the ground.
"You know these warriors ?" The monarch inquired.
"Oh yeah. The Kyoshi warriors are a skilled group of fighters, trustworthy too. They're good friends of ours." The Water Tribe boy spoke confidently as he rose to his feet. Though he didn't mention he was also the boyfriend of the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors.
"Then we shall welcome them as honored guests." The sovereign nodded, satisfied and walked away. When Aang was about to turn to climb on Appa, Katara threw her arms around him, surprising him. She kissed his cheek, causing him to blush again. Toph said her goodbyes to them too. She was really gonna miss them. The two other benders hugged her
while Sokka stood apart, arms folded. He peeked up just in time as they (Momo included) swarmed around him, catching him in a group hug.
"Ahhh! Great! That's enough! Ok, we love each other. Seriously." He awkwardly patted Aang's and Katara's head. And a few minutes later, Appa soared in the sky, bearing the two boys.
Zuko was sleeping inside his apartment. He wearily left bed, walking past the sleeping Iroh who was sitting cross-legged against the wall. He slid open a door into a small washroom, and splashed water from a basin over his face. He looked up into the mirror and was startled to see that his reflection mimicked that of the Avatar, without scar, completely bald, and bearing the blue arrow tattoo.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Chenlian inquired, holding his arm and placing a hand on his bare chest, her amber eyes gazing up at him in adoration. With a cry, Zuko suddenly started from his sleep, sitting up in a jolt, he breathed heavily, eyes wide in terror. He touched the area around his left eye. He still had his scar. He was still him. Then he heard a mumble next to him and saw Chenlian sleeping at his side, her hand tightly grasping his. She had fallen asleep and Iroh had covered her in a blanket before going to sleep against the wall. The girl stirred awake and noticed that the sufferer had woken up too.
"Zuko!" She exclaimed, quickly sitting up too and cupping his left cheek. The young man observed this face that was so close to his, the pure, absolute tender care written over those ravishing features as she studied his complexion, his condition, his expressions... and sighed, relieved that he was feeling better. She looked up at him again and smiled slightly before tilting her head cluelessly when he just kept staring without any particular reaction.
"Chenlian... who am I?" He asked. Although his face might appear composed at first, upon a closer look, you could see how desperate he was, tired of suffering, tired of being torn apart, waiting, craving for an answer, for freedom and salvation.
"That's something for you to decide." She replied gravely after a long silence. The boy hung his head. "But... at least... to me..." Chenlian began and Zuko lifted his hopeful eyes to her again. "To me... you're the man I love. That, I am sure of. Is that no good?" She smiled in all earnestness and affection, with hope and apprehension. She looked so endearing that Zuko felt his heart swept away by a rush of love like by a flood... and suddenly, avidly, like consumed by a burning thirst for possession, he kissed her with intense passion, licking her lips, slightly nibbling them, before occupying the inside when she parted them. The girl wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Without breaking their fierce embrace, he laid her down and lay on top of her. Her love quenched the thirst and the kiss grew profoundly tender. Then Zuko pulled away and said he loved her before giving her another kiss, an incredibly soft and gentle one. They shifted their position and simply stayed in each other's arms, relishing warmth, the feeling of loving and being loved.
Appa was flying among the low clouds above the wasteland outside the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. As usual, Aang was sitting on the 'driver's seat' while Sokka was comfortably resting on the bison's back.
"You see Aang, a little positive thinking works wonders. We got the King on our side, we got Long Feng arrested, and when we get back, Suki's waiting for me." Sokka remarked smugly (although he sounded more love-struck towards the end).
"Yeah, girls are waiting for us. Thanks 'positive attitude'." Aang agreed dreamily.
"Everything's gonna work out perfectly, from now on and forever." The older young man grinned cheerfully and confidently. The Avatar turned and shared his smile. High in the sky, and high in spirit due to their recent and consequent successes, they had no idea of the troubles brewing deep inside the city they had just left...
In the gloom of the Earth Kingdom prison, the walls and cell doors clad in steel, Long Feng was sitting dejectedly in one of the cells. The face of a Dai Li agent appeared at the barred window of the cell door, and a tray of food was slid through the gap beneath it.
"Dinner." He said curtly, before adding in a low voice... "The Council of Five and the military are loyal to the Earth King, but the Dai Li remain loyal to you, Long Feng, sir." And he walked away. An eager, satisfied, and wicked smile curved the lips of the former minister. And his eyes brimming with cunning, he dug into his food.
"Did he take the bait?" A suave voice stopped the Dai Li from the shadows around a corner. The handsome young man had light golden brown hair and a sharp glint in his deep green eyes.
"I believe he did."
"Things seem to be proceeding smoothly."
"Yes. As usual, there are no catch in your plans, sir."
"If only that guy hadn't forgotten his position... he wouldn't be here now." The man sighed. "Well, I didn't want to impede the Avatar and his friends since she wouldn't like it but it was necessary to delay them." He continued like a child who didn't want to be hated. Even Long Feng's ambitions and rebellious nature had been taken into account. When a dog bit the hand that nourished him and gave him a position, there were consequences, and even what Long Feng had thought was a perfect scheme to steal power from both the king and this person had been a trap. He had only been allowed to swim freely until then because it suited a purpose. While he believed he was rebelling, all he had done was dance in that person's palm all this time. "She must have enjoyed her time here... enough to believe this good rest could last forever... But the happier you are, the hardest you fall. This false peace isn't for her. Being a good little housewife doesn't suit her. That's not who she is. That's not where she should be. One day, the dream must end and you must start walking again towards your goal. For that, the King's new guest should prove most useful. We're entering the next stage. Now that the Avatar is out of the picture, he won't mess things. You'll report those ladies' identity to Long Feng, and they'll strike a deal. And when that princess gains the upper hand, switch to her." He smirked.
"Yes, master Wang."
Toph hesitated at the front door of a beautiful house in the upper ring, took a deep breath and exhaled nervously. She knocked lightly and the unlocked door opened. She stepped into a bare, unlit room.
"Hello Mom? Anyone home?" She called anxiously as she walked to the center of the large empty room. Her confusion turned to suspicion and she readied herself for trouble just as a large steel trap descended from the ceiling. She shrieked in surprise as a metal box enclosed her.
"Hey! Who do you think you're dealing with !" The frightened girl demanded, although her bravado didn't work.
"One loud mouth little brat who strayed too far from home." Xin Fu replied as he and Master Yu dropped down from the ceiling and walked to the box.
The Earth King was standing on a platform at the foot of the great stair outside his palace. The three female warriors walked down the path between the two lines of soldiers.
"In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi warriors." He addressed them formally, smiling and opening his arms in welcoming gesture. All three dropped to hands and knees, pressing their heads to the ground. When he finished, they raised their heads. However, 'Suki' was none other than Azula, flanked by Ty Lee and Mai, similarly disguised as Kyoshi warriors.
"We are the Earth King's humble servants." She said poisedly, with the eyes of a predator observing and bidding his time.
Author's note: Hmm, disappointing chapter for me, not enough Chenlian/Zuko to write. Next one should be better. And then... well... haha. In any case, only 3 chapters before the end of Book 2! Also, the poll 'Which story update are you looking forward to the most' is back on (my profile page). That brought something to my attention. Even though this story has the highest number of favorites among my fanfictions, it also has the smallest number of reviews... I wonder why...