Avatar: The Last Airbender

Part 23 (The Drill) [Book 2]

You all finally reached the wall, only to see Aang land in front of you.

"Aang. What are you doing here?" Katara questioned. "I thought you were looking for Appa."

"I was. But something stopped me. Something big."

"Aang, what are you talking about?" You asked.

"Just come with me." Aang led the group to the wall, him and Toph bending a chunk of earth to bring you up.

"Now what's so big that Appa has to wait?" Sokka inquired.

"That." Aang said.

"What on earth?" You murmured, seeing a large machine far away.

"Even in Ba Sing Se, we're still not safe." Ying muttered as the group reached the top of the wall. "No one is."

"What are you people doing here?"

You turned, seeing two guards facing you.

"Civilians aren't allowed on the wall."

"I'm the Avatar. Take me to whoever's in charge."

The guards shared looks.

"Follow me." One said, walking away. The other waited until everyone had passed so he could be in the back.

You all followed the guard where you saw a small table, a man sitting behind it.

"It is an honor to welcome you to the outer wall, young Avatar." The man spoke. "But your help is not needed."

"Not needed?" Aang echoed.

"Not needed." The man insisted. "I have the situation under control. I assure you, the firenation cannot break into this wall." He stood, leading the group along the outer wall. "Many have tried to break through it, but none have succeeded." He reminded, placing his hands on the wall.

"What about the Dragon of the West?" Toph pointed out, crossing her arms. "He got in."

The man fumbled for an answer. "Well, technically, yes." He spun around. "But he was quickly expunged." He cleared his throat. "Nevertheless, that's why the city is named 'Ba Sing Se'. It's the impenetrable city. They don't call it 'Ma Sing Se'." He laughed, cutting it short. "That means 'penetrable city'."

"Yeah, thanks for the tour." Toph said dismissively. "But we still have the drill problem."

"Not for long. To stop it, I've sent an elite platoon of earthbenders called the 'terror team'."

"That's a good group name." Sokka voiced. "Very catchy."

You rolled your eyes good-naturedly.

"We're doomed!" The man spoke, looking through a telescope.

Sokka slapped him. "Get ahold of yourself, man!"

"You're right." The man said, rubbing his sore face. "I'm sorry."

"Maybe you'd like the Avatar's help now?" Toph suggested.

"Yes please." He answered weakly.

Aang nodded. "I'll do what I can." He turned to face the drill, watching as it continued its movement toward the wall. "So the question is, how are we gonna stop that thing?"