Mizumi (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Chapter 8: Sleeping Under the Moon's Gaze

The once proud city of Omashu had fallen at the Fire Nation's feet. The team stood there in shock. Three of them had been there not long before, the other had heard stories of the great city from her time living in the Earth Kingdom. But now the city had fallen. One of the last safe havens gone.

"I can't believe it." said Aang sadly, "I know the War has spread far, but Omashu always seemed... untouchable."

"Up until now it was." said Sokka, crossing his arms, "Now Ba Sing Se is the only great Earth Kingdom stronghold left."

"This is horrible," said Katara, "but we have to move on."

"No, I'm going to find Bumi." said Aang determined.

"Aang stop. We don't even know if Bumi's still..." Sokka trailed off, unsure of how to put it, but Aang got angry at what he was implying.

"What? If he's still what?"

"A-around."

"I know you had your heart set on Bumi," said Katara trying to soften the blow, "but there are other people who can teach you earthbending."

"This isn't about finding a teacher. This is about finding my friend."

During all this Zumi had been silent looking at the ground. Katara noticed.

"Zumi, what's wrong?... Zumi?"

She was still looking at the floor, but after a moment she clenched her fists and began to speak, "Sometimes I wish I could just tear off the part of me that's Fire Nation. It's the worst scar I have. And this one I can't hide."

"Zumi..." started Katara, but what could she say? To her surprise someone else seemed to know.

"Zumi. Just because the people in charge now are bad doesn't mean everyone there is." started Aang, he was still angry, and worried about Bumi, but right now, this was more important. "I don't think I ever told you, but one of my friends growing up was from the Fire Nation. And he was one of the most kindhearted people I've known. I know it's hard but, when you think about the Fire Nation and how you're a part of it, try to think of all the good people that are also a part of it, not just the bad."

"Thanks, Aang, I really needed that." Aang might have been young, but he was wise.

The team followed Aang to a hidden entrance to the city.

"A secret passage? Why didn't we just use this the last time?" said Sokka. Aang opened the tunnel. It was filled with sewage. "Ugh!"

"That answer your question?" said Aang.

"Eww!"

"Okay, Sokka! It's gross, we get it." said Zumi.

The entered the sewage filled tunnel, the youngest three using their bending to stay clean, but Sokka, not having this capability, was completely covered in the foul substance.

"That wasn't as bad as I thought." said Katara when they got out.

"Not gonna be able to smell anything for a week, but yeah." added Zumi.

Soon after they said this Sokka emerged from the tunnel covered in slime. Katara quickly splashed him with water to get him clean and Aang dried him off with airbending. Suddenly Sokka screamed, three pentapi had adhered themselves to his skin and he couldn't get them off.

"Ahh! They won't let go! Help!" his panicked screaming was stopped by Aang tackling him to a wall.

"Shh! Stop making so much noise. It's a purple pentapus." He removed one by lightly rubbing its head making it release its grip. It left several red suction marks on Sokka's skin in its wake.