Avatar - The Last Airbender (Storyteller Version)

Chapter 16: Journey to Ba Sing Se

Resuming their trek across the desert, the children stopped to rest at an oasis. After they all relaxed for awhile, Sokka took out his map.

AANG: So did you figure out what route we're gonna take?

SOKKA: It looks like the only passage connecting the south to the north is this sliver of land called the Serpent's Pass.

TOPH: You sure that's the best way to go?

SOKKA: It's the only way. I mean, it's not like we have Appa to fly us there.

KATARA: Shush up about Appa. Can't you at least try to be sensitive?

AANG: Katara, it's okay. I know I was upset about losing Appa before, but I just want to focus on getting to Ba Sing Se and telling the Earth King about the solar eclipse.

KATARA: Oh... well, okay, I'm glad you're doing better.

SOKKA: Then to Ba Sing Se we go. No more distractions.

Just then, a bearded traveler named Than strode up to them. He was accompanied by his sister and his wife.

THAN: Hello there, fellow refugees!

AANG: So you guys are headed to Ba Sing Se, too?

THAN: Sure are. We're trying to get there before my wife, Ying, has her baby.

KATARA: Great! We can travel through the Serpent's Pass together.

YING: The Serpent's Pass? Only the truly desperate take that deadly route!

TOPH: "Deadly route"? (Sarcastically) Great pick, Sokka!

SOKKA: (Groans As Toph Slaps Him Under the Above) Well, we are desperate.

THAN: You should come with us to Full Moon Bay. Ferries take refugees across the lake. It's the fastest way to Ba Sing Se.

YING: And it's hidden, so the Fire Nation can't find it.

The children thought about it for a while, then agreed to accompany the trio. Soon they all arrived at Full Moon Bay, a secluded cove where a ferry station resided. There, hundreds of refugees seeking a new life, were huddled in groups in all directions. Alhough Than and his family had everything they needed to board one of the ferries, Aang would have to purchase tickets for himself and his friends. Casually, he approached the old woman at the ticket booth.

AANG: Um, four tickets for the ferry to Ba Sing Se, please.

TICKET LADY: Passports?

AANG: Uh, no one told us we had to have passports.

SOKKA: Don't you know who this is? He's the Avatar!

TICKET LADY: Ah, I see fifty Avatars a day, and, by the way, not a very impressive costume.

TOPH: I'll take care of this. My name is Toph Beifong, and I'll need four tickets.

She took out her own passport.

TICKET LADY: Ah, the golden seal of the flying boar! It is my pleasure to help anyone of the Beifong family.

TOPH: It is your pleasure. As you can see, I am blind and these three imbeciles are my valets.

TICKET LADY: Well, normally it's only one ticket per passport, but this document is so official... I guess it's worth four tickets.

(Ticket Stamping)