"I can explain this, Your Majesty. This is nothing more than... a construction project," Long Feng says, as we walks over to us at the top of the wall, probably prepared to lie to the Earth Monarch once again."Really? Then perhaps you could explain why there's a Fire Nation insignia on your 'construction project'," Katara retorts bitterly.
"Well it's imported of course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery. Surely you don't believe these children instead of your most loyal attendant?" Long Feng says, giving the King a stern look.
"Dai Li! Arrest Long Feng! I want him to stand trial for crimes against the Earth Kingdom," The Earth King orders, taking me by surprise.
"You can't arrest me! You all need me more than you know!" Long Feng cries one last time, before being taken away by his own men.
"Looks like Long Feng is long gone! Ha! Ah, yeah, I've been waiting to use that one," Sokka says, and this time, I have to hide the grin on my face and really try not to laugh out loud.
***
"I want to thank you, young heroes, for opening my eyes. All this time, what I thought was a great metropolis was merely a city of fools. And that makes me the king fool. We're at war. With the Fire Nation," the King says, once we're escorted back to the palace and into the throne room.
"That's why we came to Ba Sing Se, Your Highness: because we think you can help us end the war," Sokka explains.
"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 adds.
"But there is hope. Before the comet comes, we have a window of opportunity: A solar eclipse is coming. The sun will be completely blocked out by the moon, and the firebenders will be helpless," Sokka continues.
"What are you suggesting, Sokka?" The King frowns.
"That's the day we need to invade the Fire Nation," Sokka says, and honestly it always scares me how seriously he speaks when he talks about his plan. "The Day of Black Sun."
"I don't know. That would require moving troops out of Ba Sing Se. We'd be completely vulnerable," The King observes.
"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 insists firmly.
"Very well. You have my support," The King finally agrees.
"Your Majesty," a man joins us, before quickly bowing to the king. "I apologize for the interruption."
"This is General How. He's the leader of the Council of Five, my highest ranking generals," The King quickly introduces us.
"We searched Long Feng's office. I think we found something that will interest everybody," General How says, making me raise an eyebrow.
***
Somehow, the general brought us and the King himself to what appears to have been Long Feng's old office.
"There are secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se. Including you kids," General How explains, making me shudder with disgust.
"So he's also a stalker? That guy is seriously creepy."
"Agreed," Toph nods.
"Toph Beifong," the King reads the name on one of the scrolls and gives it to Katara.
YOU ARE READING
THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 2)
FanfictionWater. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked, completely eradicating the Air Nomads, in an attempt to prevent the Avatar from stopping them. They knew that onl...