ATLA: Azlua

Rebellion Part 3

      As Mai was guided through the dimly lit tunnels, her doubts began to solidify. She'd passed several groups huddled in makeshift alcoves, their whispered conversations carrying a sense of urgency and desperation. From what she could gather, these tunnels connected to other villages outside the city and beyond. Ostrich horses were used to reach the closer villages, while makeshift coal carts were employed for further cities. The rebellion's network was impressive.

A voice, smooth and confident, interrupted her thoughts.

"I'm guessing you're wondering how a recently formed rebellion could establish such a base so quickly," Hong Li said slyly, his sharp eyes studying her as he gestured for her to enter the war room.

"One of many questions," Mai replied coolly, "but we can start with that."

She sat on a slab of stone that had been earthbent into a crude chair and table. The Yuyan Archers stationed themselves outside the tent, with only Commander Shin remaining behind her, ever-watchful.

Across from her, Rangi, a broad-shouldered man with an air of defiance, gave a lazy yawn and kicked his feet up onto the table, showing little regard for formality. His casual nature irritated her slightly, though Mai's face betrayed nothing.

"In summary," Hong Li began as he lowered himself onto his seat, "two years before the war ended, Rangi appeared before me. He was supposed to be in the army defending Ba Sing Se, but he abandoned his post."

Rangi interrupted with a sneer. "The moment I turned eighteen, I snuck away to another city. First soldier I ran into slapped me with a mandatory draft notice. After some brown-nosing, I managed to get myself in charge of a shock troop. Learned how to bend and beat the shit out of my leader, then left with some like-minded comrades."

Mai's eyes flickered toward Rangi. "Like-minded?" she asked.

"Those who grew up being shunned for their mixed heritage," Rangi spat, his expression darkening. "We didn't fit in anywhere—too Earth Kingdom for the Fire Nation, too Fire Nation for the Earth Kingdom."

"I was supposed to join as well," Hong Li added, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia, "but Rangi showed up with a wanted poster for desertion. So we built this chamber to hide him. Embarrassing how many times it caved in on us at first. We never would've succeeded if not for one of his comrades, who came from a family of metal workers."

"Tanaka was always resourceful," Rangi muttered, his grim expression briefly softening.

"Yes, he was," Hong Li continued, his tone more somber. "It wasn't long before others started joining us. Ten turned into thirty, then fifty, and eventually over a hundred. We had to expand the cave. All of us had the same goal—survival. Not just for ourselves, but for our culture. We had a duty to keep it alive."

Mai listened intently, but her mind churned beneath her calm exterior. She saw the flicker of hope in their eyes, the pride they had in their cause. A cause she was meant to dismantle.

"But?" she said, breaking the pause in his story, knowing there was always more.

"But we grew too big, and we needed order. So I created what would become the Green Flame Rebellion. Everyone in the village knew about us, but they kept our secret. It was easy because even the Fire Nation soldiers here were husbands and wives of the people."

Mai raised an eyebrow. "Then why all the cloak and dagger? If everyone knew, why build this?"

Hong Li's face darkened slightly. "During that time, news of the Avatar's death reached us. The reactions were mixed—some didn't care, some cried, and some rejoiced. I... didn't believe it. Call it a gut feeling, but I knew he wasn't gone. So we continued our efforts in secret. And I was right. The war came to a draw, a ceasefire was called, and our colony was given back to the Earth Kingdom."