Return to Omashu

In the creepy castle-like guild Luke walked down a hallway and opened a door on his right. Inside a dark figure was sitting down at a table eating something.
"Luke, my buddy, my comrade, my partner! What's up? We got a new job or somethin'?" The dark figure asked. The source of the voice was a cocky and cold male.
"Yeah we do. Our new mission is to find Lucy Heartfilla in a world with four nations...and we're gonna end her." Luke explained.
"Sounds fun. When're we going?" The dark figure asked as he was eating what looked like a piece of wood.
"Now. Luna and Tor are all ready and I need you to come too." Luke told him.
"Yep. Just let me get my bud and we'll be all set." The dark figure said.
"I'll wait for you." Luke replied before walking out of the room.
The sun shone on the day even though there were clouds in the sky. But it wasn't the weather that would be a problem for the group. Instead, it was the fact that the Fire Nation had completely taken over the city of Omashu. Everything about the city had been changed. The stone walls had been covered by metal plating, smoke billowed out from different spots in the city, at least seven more bridges being built towards the city and there was a huge banner with the Fire Nation insignia.
"I can't believe it. I know the war has spread far, but Omashu always seemed...untouchable." Aang turned to the group and said.
"Up until now it was." Gray remarked.
"Now Ba Sing Se is the only great Earth Kingdom stronghold left." Sokka pointed out.
"This is just horrible." Lucy said.
"Indeed, but now we must move on." Erza noted.
"No, I'm going to find Bumi." Aang said. He started to walk towards the city.
"But Aang, we don't know if Bumi's still..." Natsu was cut off.
"What? If he's still what?!" Aang demanded.
"A-around..." Natsu answered.
"Aang, I know you had your heart set on Bumi, but there are other people who can teach you Earthbending." Katara said.
"This isn't about finding an Earthbending teacher, this is about finding my friend." Aang replied, looking back to the city.
"So how're we supposed to get into the city now?" Happy asked.
They had to fly around the mountains before flying low through the canyon around the city. Aang steered Appa close to the mountain just a hundred feet or so under the main bridge. They all saw where he was going, a large metal pipe with a lid sticking out of the rock wall. They dismounted from the bison when he was floating next to a stone walk way. The group all wore cloaks to disguise themselves while Aang stuck to not wearing one.
"A secret passage? I had no idea there was something like that." Lucy admitted.
"Yeah. Why didn't we just use this last time." Sokka asked. Aang was able to pull the lid off and it and a ton of sewage water fell off the side of the path.
"Ugh!" Sokka and Happy groaned at the same time.
"That answer your question?" Aang asked.
"So our only option is going through there now?" Gray complained.
"Put some big boy pants on Gray, it's not gonna be that bad." Lucy told him.
Aang used his staff to Airbend a sphere to keep most of the gunk off of him. Katara and Lucy used their Waterbending to keep it off of them. Erza had requipped into her Sea Empress armor to aid the two. Wendy used her Sky Dragon Slayer to help Aang keep the gunk off him. Gray used his Ice-Make magic to create a shield protecting him from the sewage. Sokka kept getting splashed in the face and sputtered from the nasty water. Ray and Natsu evaporated the sewage water.
Nighttime had fallen by the time the group found a manhole cover to the sewers. Erza and Natsu pushed the manhole cover off. Pushing the cover up a little, Aang carefully climbed up to see if it was good to come up. He didn't see anyone coming. Glancing down he quietly said, "Okay, we're clear." 
Pushing the cover off, Aang used Airbending to jump out of the sewer hole. 
Eventually everyone rose out of the sewer.
"Lucy was right. That wasn't as bad as I thought." Katara shrugged and said.
"I agree." Wendy said. They all started looking around when something started climbing out of the sewer. The creature moaned and groaned as it walked towards them. The others were horrified to see such a thing. Katara noticed a barrel of water and using her waterbending, threw a large amount of water at the thing. Sokka yelped as the water knocked the gunk off of him and knocked him into a few crates. Aang decided to dry his friend off by unleashing a gust of wind at Sokka.
"You okay, Sokka?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah." Sokka answered.
"Uh, Sokka, you have three...things on your face." Natsu pointed to him and said. Sokka saw three purple creatures stuck to his face and screamed.
"GET THEM OFF ME! GET THEM OFF ME!" Sokka screamed as he grabbed the little cephalopods by the head.
"Stop making noise you fool." Erza ordered.
"Besides, they're just purple pentapuses." Aang said as he lightly touched one of the pentapuses heads and lightly scratched it. The pentapus seemed to enjoy it as they closed their eyes and released their grip on Sokka's face. Sokka quickly removed the other two.
"Satisfied?" Gray asked.
"Yep." Sokka answered.
"Good. C'mon, we need to..." Lucy was cut off.
"Hey! What are you kids going out past curfew?" They looked down the street to see two Fire Nation guards and a Firebender walking towards them. The group quickly readied their disguises so they wouldn't be discovered.
"Sorry. We were just on our way home." Katara apologized.
"Please don't mind us." Lucy said. They turned and started walking down the street.
The lead soldier noticed something about Sokka.
"Wait. What's the matter with him?" The soldier asked.
"Uh, he has pentapox, sir." Katara said. 
The soldier walked up and looked as if to touch Sokka.
"Wait, it's highly contagious." Wendy warned.
"Ugh! It's so awful! I'm dying!" Sokka started moaning.
"And deadly." Lucy added.
"I think I've heard of pentapox. Didn't your cousin Chang die of it?" The lead soldier asked the Firebender of the group.
"We'd better wash our hands and burn our clothes." The other soldier said. They all turned and ran off when Sokka started coughing.
"Thank you, little sewer friends." Aang said.
"That was fortunate." Erza sighed.
Elsewhere, Azula's royal Fire Navy ship sat by the shore. Her forces had already made camp and awaited further orders. While those on the land kept an eye out of danger, the ones on the boat were attending to the princess. The two sisters once again sat on either side of the princess. They were discussing a plan.
"When tracking your brother, uncle and cousin, traveling with a royal procession may no longer be an option." One sister said.
"May no longer be wise." The other said in agreement.
"If you hope to keep the element of surprise." The two said in unison.
"You're both right. The Royal Procession is dead weight. If I want to catch my prey, I must be agile, nimble. I need a small elite team. It's time to visit some old friends." Azula agreed with her advisors.
Back in Omashu, the group had been searching for a few hours and they hadn't had any luck. They came by one of the many stairwells and ran up it. They hid behind some construction materials. They remained hidden as a pair of Firebenders passed by. 
"We need to find Bumi and get out of here." Katara said.
"Where do you think they would keep him?" Wendy asked.
"Somewhere he can't Earthbend to break out. Somewhere made of metal." Aang glanced about and said.
With nothing else better, the group hurried off again. Down a few levels, a group were walking by with torches lighting the way. Among the middle was a woman in a fancy Fire Nation dress holding a baby in white clothes and a teenage girl in a more gothic outfit.
"There really is no fathoming the depths of my hatred for this place." The teen looked sullen and said.
"Mai, your father was appointed governor and was given this city by the Fire Lord. We're like royalty here. Be happy and enjoy it." Her mother looked to her and said.
Mai just sighed and tried to humor her mother as they walked. At a level high above both the group and the team, a third party was waiting. While they couldn't see the ten, they could see Mai's party walking by since the lamps gave away their position. Standing next to a boulder, a Earth Kingdom soldier glanced back.
"The targets are approaching, sir." He informed his commander.
"Take them out." The commander said, no emotion behind the order. The earthbender prepared to use his earthbending to push the rock over the edge.
"I thought that my life was a lot more boring in the Fire Nation, but this place is unbearably bleak. Nothing ever happens here." She glared in contempt as she said this.
She was about to get her wish as the Earthbender on the upper level took his stance with his hand held high. Then in one swift motion of bringing his hands together he sent the boulder rushing down the ramp.
The group all gasped when they saw the boulder falling down the ramp. Aang looked down to the next platform and saw that they would be in the rock's path. Acting quickly, Aang took his staff in both hands and swung it. His airbending knocked the boulders off the path and created a huge dust cloud that shocked and alerted Mai, her family and their security. Mai narrowed her eyes to see who was up there. She could see Aang and they looked down to the group. The guards pointed their lamp holders at them to defend the three. 
"The resistance!" Mai's mother shouted, thinking the worst and pointing to them.
A smile formed on Mai's face as she thought this would be fun. With a flick of her wrist arrows were sent flying.
Aang jumped up to avoid the projectiles. Two Fire Nation soldiers climbed up the ladder with spears in hand. Katara used a water whip to knock the two men off with one hit. They both screamed as they fell to the lower level. They turned and followed after the others while Mai quickly climbed up the ladder. She jumped over the wreckage and ran after the team. Mai then extended her right arm and sent more arrows flying at them. 
"Ice-Make Shield!" Gray shouted. He created a large shield in front of them that shielded everything behind it.
"Ice-Make Lance!" Gray created multiple lances of ice and directed them towards Mai.
Mai dodged and continued chasing them. 
"I don't think so." Erza swung her sword forcing Mai to back off. Not before the teen threw three stars at Erza which were deflected.
"Requip!" Erza donned a gold and light blue armor. She pointed a spear at Mai and released a blue beam of lightning at the teen. Mai continued chasing them though. Aang looked back and weakened some construction equipment with a slash of air from his staff. The others ran past him as the supports started falling. Seeing as she wasn't going to be able to get them before the supports came down, she flung a double-sided dagger at the wall. The dagger bounced off the wall and changed its direction towards Aang. Steve put the arm with the shield between his friend and the weapon. The dagger bounced off before falling to the ground. The others stopped as well in case of a fight and looked to Mai. She let loose another volley of arrows at them. But before they could defend themselves, the ground beneath them gave way and they all yelled as they fell through. A piece of earth covered them up and the arrows embedded themselves into it instead.
Seeing that they were gone, Mai gave a defeated sigh before turning to walk back to the group she was with. But before she fully walked away, Mai gave one more glance at the spot with narrowed eyes.
Down below the streets of Omashu, Aang, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Sokka, Erza, Ray, Wendy, Katara and Momo picked themselves up after the fall. When they looked up, they found themselves completely surrounded by the resistance fighters of Omashu. The commander took a step forward and looked at them with an emotionless expression.
Meanwhile Luke, Luna, Tor and a hooded figure were transported to the streets of Omashu with help from Zane's magic.
"So this is where Lucy is?" Luna asked.
"That's what Zane told us. Now then our priority should be searching for Lucy. Then we kill her and leave this world." Luke told her.
"Got it. We should also plan on how we should kill her. What about the other Fairy Tail wizards and the bald boy she's accompaying now?" Tor asked.
"They're not our concern. If they get in our way, they'll die too. Now, I have a good plan in mind. Listen." Luke whispered.
Elsewhere, one's world could feel a bit upside down, especially if they were doing a hand stand. Which was exactly what Ty Lee, a young teenage girl in a pink performer's outfit and braided long hair, was doing. She stood upside down while balancing on her two index fingers. Ty Lee could see the usual on goings of where she was. Some were taking props to where they needed to be and others prepared the circus grounds. She was fully concentrating on what she was doing when something that wasn't a part of the circus entered her vision. She could see a young woman in royal Fire Nation armor. She stopped in front of her.
"Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?" She asked.
"Azula!" Ty Lee excitedly said, recognizing her old friend. She righted herself and turned to face her friend. The happy girl turned and bowed before getting up and rushing to Azula. Ty Lee wrapped her arms around her friend, who returned it.
"It is so good to see you again." She said.
"Please don't let me interrupt your...whatever it was you were doing." Azula started, but couldn't find the words as to what Ty Lee had been doing.
With a smile, Ty Lee returned to her practices by dropping down and flexing to where her legs were over her head. 
"So tell me, what is the daughter of a Fire Nation nobleman doing here? Certainly our parents didn't send us to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls to end up in...places like this." Azula then said. She looked around with a grimace.
They glanced to the side to see a few circus folk trying to get a platypus bear under control. But as they tugged on the rope, a pop sounded from underneath the bear and the platypus bear stood up. Everyone was surprised to see that the platypus bear had laid an egg. 
Azula's grimace remained for a second before she calmed herself. Looking back to Ty Lee, she said, "I have a proposition for you, Ty Lee. I'm hunting down a traitor. You remember my fuddly-duddly uncle, don't you?" 
"Oh yeah, he was so funny." Ty Lee chuckled as she had fixed her pose. Both feet were touching her head and her head rested in her hands. Azula inwardly rolled her eyes to the comments and lowered her hands and looked to her friend.
"I would be most honored if you were to join us on our mission." Azula said.
"Oh...I...uh...would love to, but the truth is, I'm really happy here. I mean, my aura has never been pinker!" Ty Lee said before righting herself up again. The acrobat was a little unsure of Azula's proposal. She stood tall and placed a hand over her heart. She expressed it with a smile and her bright mood.
"I'll take your word for it. I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me." Azula said with a raised hand, not needing her friend to say any more. 
"Thank you Azula." Ty Lee then said.
"Of course, before I leave, I would love to catch your show tonight." Azula glared back and said.
This caused Ty Lee to gasp and lose her concentration, something she noticed. But Ty Lee regained her composure and her stance.
"Uh...yeah...sure...of course." Ty Lee said.
Down underneath Omashu, the gang had been escorted to a refugee camp of the city's citizens. They could see that a lot of people had come down to get away from the Fire Nation. Looking about, there was one face that Aang didn't see. Aang turned to the commander.
"So, is King Bumi with you guys? Is he leading the resistance?" Aang asked. 
"Of course not! The day of the invasion, we had readied ourselves for battle. We were prepared to defend our city, to fight for our lives and for our freedom. But before we even got a chance, King Bumi surrendered." The commander explained.
"That's crazy! I'm sure he wouldn't..." Lucy trailed off in disbelief.
"He did. On the day of the invasion, I asked King Bumi what he wanted to do." The commander said.
"And what did he say?" Wendy asked.
"He looked me in the eye and said..." The commander answered.
Flashback
On a sunny day with only a few clouds, King Bumi and the commander stood on a wall of Omashu. The Fire Nation was launching fireballs as they intended to take the city. 
"I'm going to do..." King Bumi started with a straight face. But when he turned to the commander he then said with a crazed grin, "Nothing!" 
End Flashback
"It doesn't matter now. Fighting the Fire Nation is the only path to freedom...and freedom is worth dying for." The commander said.
"With all due respect Commander, I would advise retreating from the city and fighting another time. You're currently outnumbered and a confrontation with the Fire Nation now will only end badly." Ray suggested.
"You don't understand. They've taken our home and we have to fight them at any cost!" The commander said unconvinced.
"I dunno. Living to fight another day is starting to sound pretty good to me." The soldier next to him said.
"Yeah. He's right." The third soldier said.
The commander looked down to the number of citizens in Omashu and knew that he needed to start thinking of their safety.
"Fine. But there's thousands of citizens that need to leave. How are we supposed to get them all out of the city at once?" The commander questioned.
"Suckers! You're all about to come down with a really nasty case of pentapox." Sokka explained.
It took a few hours to gather as many pentapi as they needed and soon had enough. The purple cephalopod floated in a bucket of water and one of the citizens grabbed one. The team helped place the pentapi on the citizen and then gave it a few minutes before removing them. Most of the pentapi came off with ease when they were rubbed on the head. But a few proved to be stubborn when they were just yanked off. The citizens looked among each other to make sure that they were covered in spots. The spot covered citizens stood before the team and Sokka took the lead.
"The marks make you look sick, but you gotta act sick too." Sokka said.
"Ya gotta sell it!" Gray exclaimed. 
One of the citizens groaned as he walked by.
"See that's what we're talking about." Gray said as he pointed at the old man.
"Years of practice." The old man said while tapping his cane against a wooden leg.
"All right. Everyone into sick formation." Erza said.
Katara started to follow after them, but Aang and Lucy didn't. She noticed this.
"Guys, what are you doing? Aren't you coming with us?" Katara asked.
"No. I'm not leaving until I find Bumi." Aang told her.
"I'm gonna help him." Lucy said. Momo jumped onto his shoulders and lightly pulled the Airbender's lip while chittering, indicating that he was hungry. Aang grabbed the lemur by the scruff.
"Sorry Momo, I'll have to feed you later." Aang said.
"Grace, go with them and be careful." Lucy instructed after putting the polar-dog pup down. Grace barked in response and went after Aang. He used his Airbending to jump from roof to roof. 
It was midday at the wall of Omashu and the guards of the Fire Nation stood guard with spears. One of the guards then heard something.
The guards looked inwards to the city. They saw many of the citizens of Omashu covered in red spots coming towards them. Then looking to their right they saw even more citizens with red spots coming right at them. They were even worried when one citizen fell to the ground. They screamed when that person got back up and backed away. They all stood on guard as the sick looking people came walking closer. They all gave loud groans and reached their arms forward. Some of the soldiers covered their mouths to try and protect themselves, but they were all consumed by fear. 
"Plague! Plague!" A commander then shouted.
They all started moving back towards the wall to avoid being touched by the ill. One Fire Nation soldier stood on top of the wall and repeatedly hit the warning gong.
While Luke, Luna, Tor and the hooded figure moved across the city, the hooded figure heard the warning gong and stopped walking.
"What?" Luna asked.
"A gong is being rung. What's going on around here?" The hooded figure asked.
"Something stupid I'll bet. Let's focus on the task at hand." Luke said as they kept walking through Omashu.
Up in the governor's house, the governor and his family looked over the balcony to see what was going on. The governor then turned to the soldiers behind him.
"What in the world is going on down there?" The governor questioned.
"I saw some kids yesterday who were sick with pentapox, sir. It must have spread throughout the city." The Fire Nation soldier told him.
"Pentapox? Hmm, I'm pretty sure I've heard of that disease." The governor said.
"Oh this is terrible." Mai's mother said, feeling sorry for those 'infected'.
"What should we do sir?" The guard asked.
"Carefully drive them out of the city, but do not touch them! We have to rid the city of this disease." The governor ordered. He smacked his fist against the railling.
The guard bowed before leaving to carry out his orders. An unimpressed Mai was holding a bowl of snacks and offered them to her father.
"Fire Flakes, dad?" Mai said.
Mai's mother shook her head of the situation and hugged her husband while saying, "Oh, how awful."
Their youngest, not understanding the situation, became bored before getting up and waddling back into the house.
Lucy and Aang ran through one of the many streets of Omashu before jumping up to a roof. They zigzagged as he made his way up and landed before landing on a railing and carefully walked a few steps before jumping off again. They landed on a roof and the sound of something being turned and grunting made they look around. Aang looked over the side of a building and could see Flopsy pushing a wheel. 
"Flopsy!" Aang happily said. 
The gorilla goat looked back and saw Aang and Lucy standing there and became happy as well. But when Flopsy tried running to Aang and Lucy, his collar and chain stopped him from getting close. 
"I got this." Lucy said. Landing on the wheel, she used her hand to bend the water out of Flopsy's water tray and splashed it on the chain that bound Flopsy to the wheel before motioning it with her hand to freeze it. A large chunk of ice formed before Aang lifted his staff and smashed it against the frozen lock with a single swing. A grateful Flopsy grabbed Aang and Lucy into his arms and hugged them. The gorilla goat gave them a grateful lick. 
"Flopsy, we need your help finding Bumi." Aang said as he and Lucy climb onto Flopsy's back. 
"Yip yip." Aang said the usual command.
But Flopsy didn't understand the phrase and just sat there.
"That doesn't work with him, Aang." Lucy pointed out.
"Oh...uh let's go." Aang said.
This got Flopsy moving and the gorilla goat started running off into the city. Aang, Lucy and Flopsy ran through the streets to try and look for their missing friend.
Elsewhere, over the city, Momo and Happy flew over the governor's house. The two then landed on one of the many balconies of the house. They hopped onto a bench before looking through a window. 
"There's got to be food in there, Momo." Happy said as they saw bowls of food and started drooling. 
"Jackpot!" Happy exclaimed as he and Momo entered a cluttered room with dressing panels in the back. The two started stuffing their faces with berries while spitting out seeds that landed behind the dressing panels.
Behind the dressing panels the child was playing with his teddy bear by throwing it repeatedly. He then noticed the seeds and crawled out of the panels to follow the seed trail that led him to Happy and Momo. They were still sitting on the table while their tails dangled over the edge and the child sat in wonder examining the tails. Then reaching his hands out, the baby grasped them.
"What the...?!" Happy asked as they were yanked off the table. 
"You can't be serious." Happy said as he and Momo tried to fly away, but a laughing baby held onto their tails. Momo and Happy were able to take a few steps in before the baby fell forward and let their tails go. The lemur and exceed leapt out of the window and jumped onto the railing. Momo ran to the corner and stopped to take a breath from the frightening experience. But the sound of giggling made him look back to see the toddler walking on the railing. Momo and Happy became shocked and frightened as the baby came closer. Momo and Happy jumped off the railing when the baby reached for him and flew off while the baby fell off before sliding down the roofing. The little boy squealed with joy before flying off.
"Jackpot! Again!" Happy said as he and Momo stuff their faces again but then Tom-Tom is behind them and tries to bite their tails. "No!" Happy said as he and Momo try to get away again by flying.
As the slope becomes steeper Happy and Momo are able to lift themselves as well as Tom-Tom who is still holding onto the tails making the two not bearing the weight an further so they descend while Tom-Tom is being dragged over the ground as they crash land and Tom-Tom rolls over and lands on top of the two pinning them to the ground.
"Get off! Get off!" Happy pleaded and then they see Carla flying down to them.
"There you two nitwits are. I can't keep my eye on you two for on..." Carla stops talking as she sees Tom-Tom. "What's with the baby?" Carla asked.
"Long story..." Happy said and then they see the moaning crowd passing by making Tom-Tom turns his attention to them now.
"Now's our chance to escape." Carla said as she flies to the crowd and Happy and Momo follow her and Tom-Tom gets up and staggers after the crowd who are going through the gates.
Night time had fallen over the circus and the show was about to begin. Sitting in a box for her majesty, Azula sat in the middle. 
"We are deeply honored to have the Fire Lord's daughter here at our humble circus. Please tell us if there's anything we can do to make the show more enjoyable." The ring master smiled and looked to his audience as he said.
"I will." Azula smiled and said.
The ring master then signaled for the acts to come out. One by one the acts came and though they were a bit stunning to watch, Azula was waiting for one act in particular. It soon came as Ty Lee soon climbed up to the tightrope and there was a balacing device already there. The acrobat was able to nimbly climb on and did a handstand on only one hand with her other limbs spread out. Very carefully she was able to switch hands before doing the pose again. Azula was really impressed by the display. 
"Incredible. Do you think she'll fall?" Without looking to the ring master Azula asked.
"Of course not." The ring master confidently answered, since he had worked with Ty Lee for a while.
Looking to the ring master Azula then asked. "Then wouldn't it be more interesting if you removed the net?" 
The ring master looked to the princess with a worried expression on his face.
"Well, uh, the thing is the performers..." He said.
"You're right, you're right. That kind of stunt has been done before." Azula said.
"Oh I know. Set the net on fire." Azula suggested.
"Of course princess." The ring master said before moving to the net. When he was a few feet from the net, the ring master gathered flame into his hand before shooting it at the net. The entire net became alive with fire as every inch was covered. The heat from the flame was starting to make a nervous Ty Lee start to sweat. But she continued the show by moving her position around. The ring master had returned next to the royal box and was as equally nervous as his acrobat. 
"Brilliant, just brilliant." Azula complimented.
Azula turned to the ring master again.
"Say, what kind of dangerous animals do you have here? That would be something interesting to see." She asked.
"Well, our circus boasts the most exotic..." The ring master said as he looked to the princess.
"Release them all." Azula ordered, shocking the ring master. But he complied by signaling one of the stage hands. A moment later, a nervous looking Ty Lee grew even more worried as a lot of animals came rushing into the tent. Soon animals growled, trumpted, or screeched in the tent as smoke started to billow out into the night sky.
It was a few hours later when Sokka, Katara, Gray, Natsu, Ray, Erza, Wendy and the refugees of Omashu had gathered in a small valley just a few miles outside of Omashu. They had made a few good campfires to keep them warm. Katara and Sokka sat with the commander and a few other soldiers as they waited for their friends. The sound of whimpering made them look to see Aang, Lucy and Flopsy depressingly make their way into the camp. 
"We searched everywhere in the city. No Bumi." Lucy shook her head and said.
Katara wrapped her arms around her friend. Natsu wrapped his arms around Lucy and Sokka hugged the gorilla goat's face with compassion.
"We've got a small problem. We just did a head count." The commander walked over and informed them.
"Oh no. Did someone get left behind?" Wendy asked.
"No. We have an extra." He turned and pointed.
They looked and gasped in surprise at what they saw. The little baby was clinging to Momo and Happy as the two walked. Carla was right behind them.
"Happy, where'd you get a baby?" Natsu asked.
"Please don't ask." Happy sweat dropped.
At the governor's house, most of the family was in a state of panic when they learned that their son was missing. Mai's mother sat in a chair and wept while Mai attempted to console her. Weapons weren't the only thing that she was carrying as she pulled out a hanky and offered it to her upset mother. Her mother took it and blew her nose. 
The governor shook his hand and gritted his teeth as he said, "So the resistance has kidnapped my son. They think they're so clever, so tricky, just like their King Bumi." 
"What do you want us to do sir?" A Fire Nation soldier asked. The governor looked to him before looking to the mountains where the citizens of Omashu had fled. Then with a sign, he said, "I'm going to do something the Fire Lord would approve of. But I must if I am to get Tom-Tom back." 
Back at the circus, the animals had all been rounded up and any damages were in the midst of repairs. But Ty Lee and a few of the performers had been excused to their dressing rooms. Ty Lee had a package of black-petaled flowers in her hands and set them on the dresser. She looked into a mirror before glancing back at Azula.
"That was an exquisite performance." Azula complimented. 
"I can't wait to see how you'll top yourself in tomorrow's show." She then said.
"I'm sorry Azula, but there won't be a show tomorrow." The acrobat shook her head and said.
"Really?" Azula asked with a slight smile. Ty Lee removed her flame tiara.
"The universe is giving me some strong hints that it's time for a career change." She said.
Ty Lee then turned to her childhood friend, Ty Lee bowed with her fist in her palm and said, "I want to join you on your mission." 
Azula smiled as she she gained a member of her team. 
The team, beasts and refugees all continued to sit by the campfire and think among themselves. The baby continued to chase after Momo and Happy but the two ran away and the baby stopped when he saw something lying on the ground. Sitting down, he picked up Sokka's club and started chewing on it. But Sokka carefully took it out of the baby's mouth.
"No! Bad Fire Nation baby." Sokka scolded.
The little baby started crying at having his toy taken away. 
"Sokka, give the club back now." Ray ordered. Erza took the club from him. 
"Just because he's from the Fire Nation does not mean he's a threat." Erza said giving him the club. The child stopped crying. The boy started giggling as he took the club and started chewing again.
Katara then leaned down and hugged the little baby. 
"Oh, you're just so cute." She said.
"He doesn't look like a threat to me." Wendy noted.
"He's cute now and he may not be a threat yet, but when he's older, he'll join the Fire Nation army. You two won't think he's cute then. Then he'll be a threat and a killer." The commander then said.
"Does this look like the face of a killer to you?" Lucy asked as Tom-Tom giggled.
The sound of a screech all made them look in the direction of the city. A messenger hawk came flying through the mountains before landing on a rock not too far from them. The commander was a little surprised when he said, "A messenger hawk from the city." 
Ray got up and walked over to the messenger hawk. He gently reached around and opened it's scroll holder. Pulling out a piece of paper, he unrolled it to see what it was.
"It's from the governor. He believes we kidnapped his son." Ray told them. 
"We didn't kidnap him. He chased me and Momo out of the city." Happy explained.
"What does he want from us?" Gray asked.
"According to this he'll make a trade. His son for King Bumi." Ray continued to read.
The night quickly passed and a new dawn came again over Omashu. Aang was the first to rise and pick the boy. The Airbender walked to the edge of the cliff and gazed out to the city of Omashu as the sun rose over the eastern peaks. He heard the others starting to join him.
"Aang, I know you think he'll give us King Bumi, but what if this is a trap?" Lucy pointed out.
"I don't think it is. I'm sure the governor wants his son back as much as we want King Bumi. It's a new day. I have a good feeling about this." Aang smiled and said.
"Let's hope so." Natsu whispered.
"Aye." Happy nodded.
Meanwhile Luke, Luna, Tor and the hooded figure resumed their search after taking a break.
"Just where is that little weakling? She can't be too far." Luna said.
"She will be found. Luna, Tor, search this way. You, you're with me." Luke ordered. The three nod and head their separate ways.
The doors had indeed been left open for the group to bring the baby, but they weren't the first ones to go through. The moment that the Fire Nation saw Ty Lee, the Imperial Firebenders and the royal palanquin come through they quickly made way. The group made their way to the governor's house where Mai was waiting to greet their guests. The Imperial Firebenders set the palanquin down and Princess Azula stepped out. She and Ty Lee walked up to the gloomy teen. Mai then bowed before the princess.
"Please tell me that you're here to kill me." Mai said. The two laughed a bit from this.
Azula then embraced her old friend and said, "It's great to see you again, Mai." 
When Azula took a step back, Mai was surprised to see Ty Lee run up to her and hug her as well. 
Though somewhat happy to see her friend, Mai was confused and asked, "I thought you ran off and joined the circus, Ty Lee. You said that it was your calling."
"Well, Azula called a little louder." Ty Lee said as she broke the hug.
"I have a mission. I need you both." Azula said as she moved between the two.
"Count me in. ANYTHING to get me out of this stupid place." Mai quickly said glaring at the city.
After leading the two inside and explaining what was happening, Mai brought them to her father. The governor had prepared a special seat for the princess. A couple of Imperial Firebenders stood on both sides of the princess while Ty Lee, Mai and her family sat before Azula on pillows. 
"I apologize, Princess Azula. But you've come to Omashu at a difficult time. At noon, we're making a trade with the resistance to get Tom-Tom back." The governor then said.
"Yes, I'm so sorry to hear about your son, but what did you expect by letting all the citizens leave? My father has trusted you with this city and you're making a mess of things!" Azula said, angrily.
"Forgive me, princess." The governor said before bowing with his face parallel to the ground.
"You and your wife stay here. Mai will handle the hostage trade, so you don't have a chance of messing it up. And there is no more 'Omashu'. I'm renaming this city in the honor of my father, the city of New Ozai." Azula declared.
Noon had come as the sun had reached the position over Omashu. The group had made it into the city without any opposition from the Fire Nation. When they had reached the construction site at the peak of the mountain, Aang, Katara, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Ray and Sokka with Tom-Tom in his arms stood on the left side of a statue.
They all looked ahead to see the teen from two nights ago walking up a flight of stairs. But she wasn't alone. Flanking the teen on her left was another teen in royal looking Fire Nation armor and a Fire Nation insignia tied in her hair. The teen on her right looked to be an acrobat mixed with a ballerina and had her hair tied in a long braid.
Mai, Azula and Ty Lee stopped a good distance from them. Mai then signaled with her hand and the team looked up to see a crane near the top of the construction site start to lower something. The sound of crazed laughing made them smile to see it was Bumi. Though he had a hole for his face and neck, the rest of his body was trapped within a metal coffin and was suspended on long wire. 
"Hi everybody." Bumi nonchanlantly said.
Aang smiled in relief that Bumi was alright. When the coffin thudded behind Mai's group, the teen then asked, "You got my little brother?"
"He's here." Lucy reassured her.
"I'm sorry, but a thought just occured to me. Do you mind?" Azula asked.
"Of course not, princess Azula." Mai said and looked to her friend.
"We're trading a two-year old for a king. A powerful Earthbending king?" Azula asked looking to Bumi.
"It just doesn't seem like much of a fair trade, does it?" Azula continued.
Mai thought about her friend's words before glancing over to her brother. The baby cooed while being in Sokka's arms. The gloomy teen knew what her friend was saying, but political and nonpolitical. 
"You're right. The deal's off." Mai signaled the crane again and it started to lift Bumi into the air.
"See you all later!" Bumi said laughing and snorting again.
"Bumi!" Aang shouted up to his rising friend.
"Aang, wait!" Lucy said as she ran after him.
As the two headed towards Bumi Azula smirked as she leapt forward and with a circular motion of her arms she sent a wave of fire towards them. They were able to jump high over it, surprising her and her friends. Aang and Lucy were able to bounce off the construction supports and he opened his glider to fly up to his trapped friend but the wind blew his disguise off.
"The Avatar!" Azula said. She sent a shot of blue fire at Aang which he dodged. However, the fire burned Lucy's disguise and exposed her as well.
"And the prophesized Celestial Mage. My lucky day." Azula said with a smirk before rushing into the construction site. She used her blue flames to cut through a cord and was quickly yanked up through the levels of the construction site. Aang and Lucy finally reached Bumi as he was continued to be lifted. They landed on top of the metal container and looked down to their trapped friend. 
"Aang, Lucy is that you two up there? Where did you two come from?" Bumi asked.
"Hold on. We'll get you out, Bumi." Aang reassured him.
"Hopefully nothing else will..." Lucy was cut off when someone charged at her and knocked her off the container.
"Lucy!" Aang shouted before taking a deep breath. Then he started to blow cold air on the chain so it would freeze. Ice started forming on the chain as he continued to blow the cold air. 
Lucy was sent to the bottom chute by the person that knocked her off the container. It turned out to be Tor.
"You're one of those cloaked creeps that tried to capture me back in the forest!" Lucy angrily said.
"I see you remember me very well. Don't worry we're not gonna capture this time, we'll kill you." Tor threw a punch which she dodged. Lucy then blew him back with Airbending.
"Did you find her Tor?" A voice asked. It came from Luna who was floating on a crystal ball.
"Yeah. I found her and now she'll meet her fate." Tor replied.
"I'm not scared of any of you. It's time I take you both down!" Lucy declared as she took out a gate key.
"Open, Gate of the Tiger! Yin!" Lucy called as she summoned Yin.
"Is it play time again, Lucy?" Yin asked.
"Yes it is and we're gonna have fun." Lucy nodded.
"Great. Let's play." Yin said as she pounced on Luke and Luna.
"Time to put down the kitty. Wolf Paw Punch!" Tor yelled as he struck Yin with her palm. Yin quickly got back to her feet.
"What kind of magic was that?" Lucy asked.
"This is Wolf Slayer magic. You might think it's similiar to Dragon Slayer magic, but it's not." Tor informed her.
"I'm still not scared of you! Yin, let's show them." Lucy shouted.
"With pleasure, darling." Yin said back as she fired ki shots at Luna.
"Pathetic." Luna muttered as she used the crystal ball to absorb Yin's attack.
"What?" Lucy gasped.
"My turn." Luna said. "Vampire Poison Fang." She attempted to sink her teeth into Lucy who tried dodging but the fangs pierce her skin.
"Allow me. Wolf Claw Crush!" Tor yelled as claws extended on his fingers and he scratched Lucy.
"I'm not done!" Lucy yelled as she tried to retailiate but fell to the ground.
"What's happening?" She asked.
"My Vampire Poison Fang has kicked in. In a few hours, you'll be dead." Luna explained.
"I'm guessing you're a Vampire Slayer?" Lucy questioned.
"Correct. Your pet tiger here won't be able to save you." Luna answered.
"Shut up!" Yin shouted as she scratched Luna and fired a ki blast.
"Stupid cat. Wolf Fang Strike!" Tor yelled as he tried to bite Yin but she stepped to the side and struck Tor with her tail. Luna sent her crystal ball at Yin but Lucy swung her whip and then struck her with a spin kick.
"I'm through with you people!" Lucy yelled.
"So am I! Prepare to go down!" Yin shouted as she fired two ki blasts, but the two jump clear.
"Time to finish you off! Wolf Transformation!" Tor said as he changed into a golden-furred wolf.
"A REAL WOLF!" Lucy exclaimed in disbelief.
Wolf Tor charged at Yin with his claws held out and swung his tail but Yin avoided his assault. She then swiped at him and followed it with a ki blast. Wolf Tor produced a loud roar sending Yin back a few feet but she stood tall and swung her tail. Wolf Tor tried to bite her but Yin released four ki blasts. Wolf Tor brought his tail around and threw Wolf Paw Punch once again. Yin was knocked to the ground but got back up.
"Bad dog! You need to learn some manners." Yin said as she spun her claw at Wolf Tor.
"Wolf Fang Strike!" Wolf Tor struck Yin with his fangs and knocked her down.
"Sorry hon, that dog is one bad apple." Yin told Lucy.
"Yin, you did your best. Go back and rest." Lucy reassured her. Yin nodded before returning to the Celestial Spirit World.
"Got anymore spirits up your sleeve? You should bear in mind the poison I inserted into your body will kill you soon." Luna informed Lucy.
"That's right! The new Celestial Spirit!" Lucy said as she took out another gate key.
"Open Gate of the Rat, Zi!" Lucy summoned a new Celestial Spirit. A boyish-looking figure with messy grey hair and big round ears appeared. He was wearing light green pants and had a long tail. 
"Lucy, you okay! You look terrible!" Zi said concerned.
"Can you please cure me? I've been poisoned." Lucy pleaded.
"No problem." Zi cast his healing magic and the poison disappeared from her body.
"Thanks." Lucy said.
"No problem. Shall we deal with these two?" Zi asked.
"Let's." Lucy nodded.
"How cute. A little rat has Healing Magic. Guess I'll kill him first. Let's go Tor." Luna said as they run towards Lucy and Zi.
Down below Mai and Ty Lee rushed towards the team. Mai fired daggers as the group prepared to defend themselves. Sokka blew on the bison whistle.
"Get Tom-Tom out of here. We'll hold them off." Ray ordered. 
"Way ahead of you." Sokka said as he started blowing on the bison whistle. He looked at the baby in shock when Tom-Tom took the whistle away. Sokka then held on tightly to the baby before he started running to keep him safe. But as he ran past a spot with a hole, Ty Lee's fist shot out and struck him in the heel. Katara gasped to see Sokka fall, but the teen was able to keep the baby off the ground while sliding across the wood. Sokka cried out when they nearly went over the edge, but sighed in relief when they didn't. 
"Sokka, you okay?" Natsu asked. 
"Yep, I'm good." Sokka answered. 
Ty Lee came flipping out from underneath the construction and ran right towards Sokka while doing a few tricks as well. Katara created a water whip and prepared to strike Ty Lee. Katara turned around just as Mai fired daggers. Gray got in front of her. 
"Ice-Make Shield!" Gray brought both hands out and created a large shield of ice that blocked the daggers. Natsu then shot four fireballs at Mai. She easily avoided the attack and fired more arrows. 
"Sky Dragon Wing Attack!" Wendy generated a large whirlwind on each of her arms, which twisted and rotated to attack Mai. 
While Natsu, Gray and Wendy take Mai on Katara and Erza had their hands full with Ty Lee. She ran towards Sokka again before a tendril of water wrapped around her leg. 
"Requip Purgatory Armor." Erza donned a black armor with many spiked features. She lunged towards Ty Lee and brought a sword down. Ty Lee dodged the strike effortlessly. 
Sokka ran to the edge of the construction platform and used a ladder to drop to the next level. 
Bumi's container was still going up as Aang continued to blow cold air on the chain. 
"Aang, stop your blowing for a minute." Bumi said. 
He didn't get a chance to finish when some of the construction levels next to them crashed. Princess Azula came flying towards them with her hands high above her head and then kicked out with her right foot with a yell. A large blue fireball was sent right towards the two friends. A shocked Aang acted quickly and brought out his staff. 
"Now hold on just a minute..." Bumi said. 
Bumi started yelling when Aang slashed through the chain with his staff and the two fell and avoided the fireball. Azula landed on one of the poles as the two continued to fall to the ground. The metal container started to move around as they fell and Aang landed on the front side of the container. Quickly using his free right hand, he sent a blast of air that cushioned their fall when they landed on one of the many ramps of Omashu. The container landed on the sphere of air before beginning to slide down the chute. From her perch, Azula watched them go with a glare before leaping down and looking for a way to follow them. She found the ramp and a cart already waiting. Not wasting a second, Azula started sliding after the Avatar and King Bumi. She was able to direct the cart down a different path after them. 
Aang started laughing as the ride was kind of fun for him. He glanced down and said, "It's just old times, isn't it Bumi?" 
"Aang, I really need to talk to you!" Bumi shouted so Aang could hear him over the metal grinding. But Aang misinterpreted what he said. 
"It's good to see you too." Aang said. 
But the sound of grating coming from their left made Aang look to the chute next to them. He gasped when he saw the Fire Nation princess gaining ground on them. Azula then launched two shots at them. A surprised Bumi watched as Aang lifted his staff and spun it really fast to deflect the shots. Azula launched a few more shots but they were easily put out by Aang's staff spinning. The two carts began to pull away from each other and Azula stopped her attack. But the two friends troubles were just beginning when the tracks conjoined. 
Down below Lucy and Yin were still fighting Luna and Wolf Tor. 
"Vampire Poison Beam!" Luna fired a beam of poison and followed that up with a crystal ball attack. 
"Wolf Claw Crush!" Wolf Tor brought his claws down but Lucy leaped out of the way. 
She generated two small whirlwinds while Zi unleashed what looked like a skeleton hand from the ground. The spirit commands it to punch the two, but they dodge the punch. Wolf Tor swiped at her with his claws and then proceeded to attempt to bite her. Lucy executed a series of punches and a roundhouse kick which pushed Wolf Tor back but Luna hurled her crystal ball behind Lucy and instructed it to strike her. She moved out of the way and executed a spin kick. Luna dodged the kick and threw a few jabs at Lucy who dodged and brought out her whip. She sent the whip forward but Luna took out a chain and hit Lucy with it. She countered with her whip and Zi summoned a skeleton hand to grab Wolf Tor. He effortlessly broke free and swung his tail around but Lucy struck him with a water whip. 
"Hmph. You're not as weak as you appear. You still need to be killed though." Luna said. 
"No one's gonna kill me! I'll walk out of here alive!" Lucy said.
"Bring it!" Luna said and then Tor reverts back to his human form.
"You're a stubborn girl. Too bad it's gonna cost ya soon." Tor said.
"Zi, go back and rest." Lucy said.
"Got it." Zi said as he disappears.
"Oh, goody. Now I get to poison you again." Luna said.
"I don't think so!" Lucy said as she takes out another Celestial Key. "Open the Gate of the Lion! LOKE!" Lucy called and Loke appears.
"Hey, Princess." Loke said as he sees Tor and Luna. "Those cloaks...just like the one Zack wore." Loke said with hatred.
"How cute. A pretty boy wants to play with us. Let's play then." Luna said.
"Loke, get ready. They're not pushovers." Lucy said.
"No problem, Princess. I'll protect you no matter what." Loke said and they attack Luna and Tor.
"Let's finish this already." Tor said.
"Agreed." Luna said and the fight continues.
Up on the construction platform, Mai was engaging Katara, Natsu and Gray. She dodged Katara's Waterbending, Natsu's Fire Dragon Slayer magic and Gray's Ice-Make magic and flung a few knives. Gray deflected them with a icy sword and then swung at her. The sword connected.
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" Natsu brought his fist back and threw a punch. Mai recovered and threw more projectiles but Katara used her water to freeze her arm. Mai unsuccessfully tried to break the ice covering her arm. Gray then froze her feet so she wouldn't move them either.
"You're trapped." Gray said. Ty Lee climbed onto a platform and appeared behind them.
"No!" Erza shouted.
"Requip!" She was now adorned in her Heaven's Wheel armor and sent her swords flying at Ty Lee who dodged them.
"Hey! Stop that!" Ty Lee yelled as she moved towards Erza to jab her. Erza dodged it and swung her sword while Gray pulled a icy fist back to punch Ty Lee.
"You think it's nice hitting a lady?" Ty Lee asked.
"I'm not holding back on you even if you are a chick." Gray told her.
"Ice-Make Ice Cannon." He fired a icy cannonball at Ty Lee. 
Natsu coated his leg in fire and multiple swords floated in the air around Erza. Their attacks headed straight for Ty Lee.
Ty Lee gracefully recovered from their attacks and leaped onto the platform. She sneaked up behind Katara. She was unaware of the acrobat's presence before her arms were jabbed a few times. The ice under Katara's control suddenly melted and fell to the ground, freeing the knife thrower. Ty Lee then quickly broke Gray's ice to free Mai's legs. Gray and Natsu sent their magic towards Ty Lee but she dodged the attacks and jabbed them.
"You...!" Natsu growled as Katara motioned her arms to bend the water, but it didn't respond.
"How are you going to fight us without your bending?" Mai questioned as she brought out a three-bladed knife.
"You won't stop me!" Erza yelled as she moved to attack the two, but Ty Lee tried to jab her arms. Erza moved out of the way and threw several punches at the chi blocker. Ty Lee used her acrobatics to avoid Erza's punch. Mai threw three knives at Erza but she deflected them with her sword and ran up to the knife thrower.
Ty Lee and Mai were knocked back by Erza's attack, but the knife thrower prepared to attack again. Erza held her sword horizontally as Wendy stood in front of her.
"Get lost, little girl." Mai said.
"No! I won't let you hurt my friends!" Wendy shouted.
The acrobat and knife thrower suddenly glanced up to a shadow behind Wendy.
"Neither will I." ShineGreymon told the two.
The light dragon Digimon then slammed his fist into the ground and pulled out a double-bladed sword. With a swing of the weapon, Mai and Ty Lee were sent flying off the construction site.
"Thanks." Gray said.
"It was easy." ShineGreymon chuckled.
"You guys okay." Erza answered. Sokka then steered to land Appa. 
"Get on!" Sokka said as they climbed onto the bison.
Meanwhile Lucy and Loke were still occupied with Luna and Wolf Tor. The pair dodge their attacks and strike back. Lucy then noticed Appa in the air.
"Appa!" Lucy exclaimed. Tor used Wolf Fang Strike but Lucy kicked him away.
"You stubborn little gnat! We should return and inform Luke that we found her." Luna said.
"Agreed. We'll let you off the hook for today." Tor nodded. The two walk off as Appa landed in front of her.
"Luce, what happened?" Natsu asked.
"Nothing bad." Lucy answered as she boarded Appa.
"What about Aang?" She questioned.
The group was soon soaring through the air on Appa. 
Katara noticed something going by really fast.
"There's Aang!" She shouted.
"We can catch up to him." Sokka said as he steered in the right direction.
Down below Azula threw her hands forward and sent two streams of fire at the two. Aang was able to swat the flames away as Appa flew alongside them. 
"Hang on Bumi! There's our ride." Aang shouted after noticing his friends.
Appa tried to get in close, but Azula sent balls of fire at him and Sokka had to keep clear of them. The blue fireballs went right past them as they dodged the attacks. Aang used his staff to knock the metal container off of the track, but it was a bit too much as they sailed over their friend's heads. Katara and Lucy tried to make a grab for the container, but it went over the other side of the bison. Bumi yelled as they started falling again. Aang tried to keep his grip on the container and it looked like they would hit the ground below. Bumi grunted when they landed but yelled again when they fell into the track underneath that track. They started sliding again but were once again followed by Azula.
With a circular motion of her hands, Azula created a large wheel of fire before shoving it at them. The flaming wheel of fire came barreling towards them and Bumi saw that he and Aang were in some serious trouble. Lifting his chin, Bumi grunted as he was able to create a barrier of stone between them and the fire. The wheel slammed into the stone and dissipated while they continued to slide away. Azula gasped when she saw the obstacle and jumped before the cart crashed into the rock. She landed on the track and used her feet to stop herself from sliding. The princess watched them go with a glare, knowing that this could be both an opportunity and a problem for her and her father.
With the danger now over, a shocked Aang looked down to Bumi's head.
"You could Earthbend?! All along!" Aang questioned.
"Well, they didn't cover my face." Bumi pointed out before once again lifting his chin with a grunt. Another formation of rocks appeared at the bottom of the chute and Aang jumped off as the container was standing up right on the rock. Aang landed on the ground and turned to his friend, confused. He placed a hand to his bald head. 
"I don't understand Bumi. Why didn't you free yourself if you could the whole time? Why did you surrender to the Fire Nation when Omashu was invaded? What's the matter with you, Bumi?" He questioned.
"Aang, listen to me. There are options in fighting that are called jing. And it is a choice of how you can direct your energy." Bumi said.
"I know. There's positive jing when you're attacking and negative jing for when you're retreating." Aang replied, understanding what his best friend was saying.
"And neutral jing for when you do nothing." Bumi added with a grin.
"There are THREE jings?" Aang asked, shocked.
"Well technically, there are up to eighty-five, but let's focus on the third. Neutral jing is the key to Earthbending. It involves listening and waiting before striking." Bumi explained.
"That's the reason why you surrendered then, isn't it?" Aang asked, getting the feeling that was the reason. Bumi nodded and said, "Yes. And it's the reason why I can't leave now." 
"I guess I need to find someone else to teach me Earthbending, huh." He regrettably said.
"Your teacher will be someone who had completely mastered neutral jing. You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking." Bumi informed him.
Aang was suddenly surprised when Momo landed on his shoulder and the lemur seemed happy to see him as well.
"Hey there Momo." Aang petted his ear and said.
"Momo here's mastered quite a few jings himself." Bumi said with a grin. Momo looked at the crazed king and screeched at him. 
"Goodbye Aang. I will see you again when the time is right." Bumi said.
Then throwing his head back, Bumi let out a crazed laugh as his coffin fell against the ramp and used his earthbending to push himself back up. Aang watched Bumi go with a sad look, but the sound of Appa groaning made him look back to see Appa and his friends waiting for him. Deciding to high tail it out of there, Aang ran to Appa with Momo hanging on. Jumping into the saddle, Aang sat down as Sokka gave a flick of the reins to get them out of there.
Tor and Luna reunite with Luke and the hooded figure to tell him everything.
"I see. Lucy will have to be dealt with another way. Someone needs to break her. Watching her squirm first and then we kill her." Lune said.
"Now what?" Luna asked. They hear what sounds like a royal carriage being carried through the city.
"Let's see what's going on there." Luke instructed.
Elsewhere, Princess Azula was being lifted in her carriage through the city while her teammates were trailing behind her.
"So we're tracking down your brother, uncle and cousin?" Mai asked after she and Ty Lee were briefed about the mission.
"It'll be very interesting seeing Zuko again." Ty Lee said with a grin. Then she looked to her friend to her right and asked, "Won't it, Mai?"
"It's not about Zuko, Iroh and Aiko anymore. We have new targets." Azula said.
"I think not." A voice said. Luke was standing in front of the carriage with Luna, Tor and the hooded figure by his side.
"Who are you?" Azula asked, exiting the carriage.
"You're after the prophesized Celestial Mage named Lucy correct?" Luke asked not answering Azula.
"And what if I am?" Azula questioned.
"She's OUR target, you stupid gnat!" Luna shouted.
"How dare you! I saw her first!" Azula snapped.
"Actually, you did not. We're under orders to hunt her down." Luke said.
"Why?" Ty Lee asked.
"That doesn't concern you, floozy." Tor said coldly.
"Hey! That wasn't very nice!" Ty Lee yelled.
"Are you intending to stand in my way?" Azula asked.
"Hold on a minute. I have an idea. Let's make a deal." Luke proposed.
"Deal?" Azula asked.
"While we were observing Lucy, we're aware that the bald kid she's with known as the Avatar is somehow a prize to you. Am I not mistaken?" Luke questioned.
"What are you suggesting?" Azula asked.
"Let's work together to hunt down the ones we want. We'll help you find the Avatar and you allow us to have Lucy. Does that seem fair?" Luke suggested.
"Hmm. I was interested in having them both, but since you are under orders, I suppose that could be arranged." Azula replied.
"Well? Do we have a deal or not?" Luna asked.
"You'll help us find the Avatar?" Azula asked for confirmation.
"Only if you allow us to have Lucy when we find those two. You can do what you want with the Avatar." Luke answered.
"Very well. It's a deal." Azula accepted his offer.
"Good. Glad you can understand, princess." Luke said.
"Are you sure we should trust them, Azula?" Ty Lee asked.
"What if they betray us?" Mai pointed out.
"I honestly don't care what you floozies think. It's her decision. Here's my warning; don't EVER get on my nerves. You two won't live long enough to figure out why." Luke threatened pulling out what looked like a crimson sword with a black hilt.
"I like your style." Azula said with a smirk.
"Glad you do. Let's move it." Luke said before walking off.
Later that evening, Aang and Lucy had flown back into Omashu with the baby strapped to Aang. They silently dropped down onto the roof and looked over the side. They could see that the governor and his wife were alone on the balcony. The two were sad that Mai had left the city, but even sadder at the thought of never seeing their son again. Silently dropping from the roof, Aang and Lucy landed behind the two. The baby cooed when he saw his parents and reached for them. Lucy smiled as she set Tom-Tom on the ground. The baby waddled over to his parents while Aang and Lucy quickly, yet silently, jumped back onto the roof. The governor and his wife heard the sounds of giggling behind them. Looking back, they gasped in happiness to see their son waddling up to them. His mother ran up to him and said, "Tom-Tom!" 
Both parents were soon hugging their son as they were joyous to have him back safe and sound. Aang and Lucy watched the scene with a smile before sneaking off into the shadows before Aang opened his glider to fly away.