Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 53: To Kill An Avatar Part 2

Macai wakes up outside with his arms and legs restrained by dark grey clay. Macai is within a forest, but it does not seem to be the part he just fought in. The wood is amber brown, and the leaves are emerald green. The young man rubs his head and looks up to see Aang standing before him. Aang is furious and Toph is left of his position.

Aang points in Macai's face, "Why did you attack us?!"

Macai replies, "I wanted to protect my nation."

Toph responds, "You lost the war and we beat your loserlord already. Get over it."

Macai: "And yet you still oppress us."

Aang: "What?"

Toph laughs, "Oppress? Oh please. You idiots are the ones who ran around and almost burned this world down. Now you think you're the ones being oppressed? You got what you deserved."

Macai nods, "And if that's so then I still fight for the survival of my people. Every nation has been bad at one point. We should still be respected."

Toph interrupts, "Respected? Your nation should have the least respect for what it has done. But I agree on the survival part. You have to earn respect and that takes time."

Macai tests Aang, "What you don't seem to understand is that if you treat us too harshly, you will just cripple our nation. And if you do that, we'll rise back up more dedicated and determined to fight you again and again. Then this will never end and that isn't what you want; is it Avatar?"

Aang shakes his head, "No, that's not what I want."

Toph growls at Aang, "How are you reasoning with him? He just tried to kill you."

Aang gives Toph the hand, "Toph, it's ok. We need this to end and bloodshed is not the way to go. He's right, if we treat the Fire Nation more harshly then more remnant groups will rise."

Toph: "Then we'll just have to keep knocking them down."

Aang: "And more people will die. The more we knock down the more their friends and family will stand against us. Eventually, they'll change their tactics and find other ways to fight us. They may become more dangerous or at least more dangerous than the last times we beat them. Then all of this will have been for nothing."

Toph replies, "Not nothing, they won't rule the world."

Aang nods, "But if we can have a better peace, then I'm pursuing that."

Macai looks Aang in his eyes, "Listen to me Avatar. If the Fire Nation's colonies are taken from it and it is not appropriately compensated the stability of our economy will be compromised. It is largely built off the oppression we have caused. I'm all down for us breaking down that control but it must be done gradually."

Aang responds, "I've started to discuss that with Zuko."

Macai: "I'd also like to point out that our nation needs to be at the discussions and trade deals. Everyone needs to be included. I'm ok with the Water Tribe getting slightly-elevated positions at some discussions. The Earth Kingdom can have a little leeway for the next few years, but the Fire Nation can't be at the bottom of the discussions every time anymore. From now on, we will be respected and get a moderate benefit from all the big decisions."

Aang: "That often happens."

Macai: "And there have been times when the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe teamed up on us. There were times that we were forced to completely lose out to everyone. When your damaged nations took all the spoils and we took the scraps. That's disrespectful and you can't expect that to last."

Aang shakes his head, "This has happened a bit but Zuko started to address it. We're pulling back from this."

Macai continues, "But you're not doing enough. I need to see more."