Avatar: The Last Airbender

Part 24 (City of Walls and Secrets) [Book 2]

"Look! The inner wall!"

You looked out the window of the trolley at Katara's statement.

"I can't believe we finally made it to Ba Sing Se in one piece."

Sokka leaned forward suddenly to his sister. "Hey, don't jinx it! We can still be attacked by some exploding firenation spoon. Or find out that the city's been submerged in an ocean of killer shrimp."

"Spoon?" You echoed.

"Have you been hitting the cactus juice again?" Toph asked from beside him, Momo on her lap.

"I'm just saying... weird stuff happens to us."

As if on cue, a man with a corn cob in his mouth sat between Sokka and Toph.

Your eyes widened.

"Don't worry, Aang. We'll find Appa." Katara assured.

"It's such a big city." Aang reminded, voice quiet and losing hope.

"He's a giant bison, where could someone possibly hide him?" Sokka asked.

The trolley went through a tunnel, and when it emerged on the other side, you could see the massive city.

"Oh." Was all he said.

The trolley came to a stop and everyone climbed off.

"Back in the city... great." Toph grumbled, placing her fists on her hips.

"What's the problem? It's amazing!" Sokka questioned, looking out at the city.

"Just a bunch of walls and rules. You wait... you'll get sick of it in a couple of days."

"Hello. My name is Joo Dee."

You jumped about a foot in the air, the hair on the back of your neck standing up. Your hand flew to your neck to try to calm the goosebumps there as you turned, seeing a woman standing before you.

"I have been given the great honor of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se. And you must be Sokka, Katara, Toph and Y/n. Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?"

"Yes." Sokka said, voice firm. "We have information about the firenation army that we need to deliver to the Earth King immediately." He said, clutching his bag to his chest.

"Great! Let's begin our tour. Then I'll show you your new home here. I think you will like it." She said, walking away.

Sokka looked back at the group, dumbfounded. He chased after her. "Maybe you missed what I said. We need to talk to the king about the war. It's important."

"You are in Ba Sing Se now. Everyone is safe here." She said, grinning a little too widely for your taste.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is the lower ring." Joo Dee explained as you passed several houses in the carriage.

"What's that wall for?" Katara questioned.

"Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls. There are the ones outside, protecting us, and the ones inside that help maintain order. This is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftsmen and artistes. People that work with their hands."

You looked out the window of the carriage. The place looked terrible. Many of the houses looked old and broken down, and the people wore ratty clothes.