The Elements of Nature, Book 2

Chapter 3, Omashu

“I can't believe it.” Twilight said to the group. “I know the War has spread far, but even Celestia considered Omashu ... untouchable.”

“Until now it was.” Firebrand said as they see the black smoke coming from the city. “Now Ba Sing Se is the only great Geo Firman stronghold left.”

“What now?” Rainbow asked. “If this Bumi guy can help, how are we supposed to get into the city without being spotted.”

“Spike, time to send a letter to Celestia.” Twilight said as she pulls out a scroll and a quill for Spike to use. “‘Dear Princess Celestia, I’m afraid to tell you, but Omashu has fallen to the Fire Nation. We will wait by the city for you word. Twilight Sparkle.’” Twilight said as Spike writs it down.

Spike then takes a deep breath and blows on the scroll, and it flies away. “It’s on it’s way.”

“How long till Celestia gets it?” Rainbow asked.

“Not sure.” Twilight said to her friend. “It usually takes a few seconds. But, considering how far away we are from Canterlot, it might be longer.”

“Yeah. It might be minutes or hour-” But before Spike could finished, he belches and a scroll appears, which Twilight catches and reads.

“Well, what does it say?” Applejack asked.

“She said that we should at least try to get everypony in the city out, and find Bumi.” Twilight said as she puts the scroll away.

“And how are we supposed to do that?” Agua asked.

“I got an idea.” Fire’ said, causing the group to look at him.

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Later, below Omashu's gate, Firebrand is attempting to open the entrance to a secret tunnel with his magic. “A secret tunnel? Why isn’t anyone else using it?” Rainbow asked, right when Fire’ opens the grate, nearly showering the group with sewage.

“That answer your question?” Fire’ said as he crawls into the tunnel, followed by the others, with Applejack and Apple Bloom dragging a reluctant Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Fire’ and Twilight conjure up a ball to clear the path while Agua uses waterbending to maneuver the sewage carefully around her and the others. They eventually make it to a well and climb up, jumping near someones cloths lines. Fire’ then takes two bandanas, one orange and one blue, and a black robe with a hood, and gives the blue bandana to Agua and the robe to Twilight.

“Just in case.” Fire’ said as he uses his bandana to hide his mane, while Agua does the same as Twilight takes off her tiara and puts on the robe.

“That wasn't as bad as I thought.” Rarity said as she climbs out, followed by Rainbow.

That's when the group notices that three five-eyed, five-tentacled, octopus-like creatures have attached themselves to her skin. “Ahh! They won't let go! Help!” Rainbow said, unsure if the little creatures are some kind of parasite.

“Relax, Rainbow.” Fluttershy said to her worried friend. “It's just purple pentapi.” Fluttershy said as she removes the creatures by lightly rubbing their heads. Just as she finishes removing the last purple pentapus...

“Hey!” A Fire Nation guard called out. “What are you foals doing out past curfew?”

“Sorry. We were just on our way home, dears.” Rarity said as the group turn around and leave.

“Wait, what's the matter with her? The one with the rainbow mane?” One of the guards asked when he notices the spots where the pentapi were attached to Rainbow.

Fire’ then gets an idea. “She has pentapox, sir. It's highly contagious.” Fire’ said, with Rainbow quickly catching on.

“Oh, it's so awful. I'm dying.” Rainbow exaggerated as she slowly walks to the guards and lands on them, terrifying them as they push her back.

“And deadly.” Fire’ finished.

“Hey, I think I heard of pentapox!” One of the guards said. “Didn't your cousin Chang die of it?”

“We'd better go wash our hoofs, and burn our clothes.” The other guard said as they run away.

“Thank you, sewer friends.” Fluttershy said to the pentapus as they are delivered back to their home.

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On Azula’s ship, she is consulting with her two assistants, Li and Lo. “When tracking your brother and uncle, traveling with the royal procession may no longer be an option,” said Li.

“May no longer be wise,” followed by Lo.

“If you hope to keep the element of surprise,” the twins said simultaneously.

“You're right.” Azula said to them. “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.”

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Back to Omashu, it’s now dusk as the main 6, the Wonderbolts, the CMC, Agua and Fire’ are sneaking around. They hide behind some metal bars used for construction as a patrol passes by. “Let's find this Bumi and get out of here.” Agua said after the patrol passes.

“Where would they be keeping him?” Rainbow asked.

“If Celestia's right, Bumi is a Unicorn, so they have to be keeping him somewhere he can’t use magic. Someplace made of anti-magic metal.” Twilight said as they go on.

Meanwhile, not far away, a mare with a light tan coat and a black mane and tail, along with a dark red and black dress and a shuriken for a cutie mark, is being escorted by two Fire Nation guards along with an older mare with a light red coat and a black mane, carrying a baby colt with an orange mane, a yellow coat, and purple eyes. “There really is no fathoming the depths of my hatred for this place.” The younger mare said.

“Mai, your father was appointed governor.” The older mare, Mai’s mother, said. “We're like royalty here. Be happy and enjoy it.” She said, not noticing that some rocks are ready to be pushed down one of Omashu's mail delivery chutes which ends near where Mai's party is walking.

“The targets are approaching.” A Pegasus said to his other resistance fighters, and to his captain, a Pegasus with a brown coat and a black mane and tail, who’s stroking his beard.

“Take them out.” The captain said.

“I thought my life was boring in the Fire Nation, but this place is unbearably bleak. Nothing ever happens.” Mai said in a dull tone as the resistance fighter pushes the rocks down the chute. The group walk by and see the rocks crumbling down at high-speed. Fire’ then looks in distress at Mai's party and unsheathes his sword, superheats it, and slices the rock clean in two. Mai's party is alerted by the sound and looks up to see what caused it: Firebrand. And they see that he’s not alone.

“The resistance!” Mai’s mother cried as Mai puts on a faint smile. She then spreads her arms at Fire,’ throwing tiny arrows at him. Fire’ quickly ducks, avoiding the arrows which bury themselves in the stack of construction material behind him. The group then run away as two of the Fire Nation guards climb up the ladders to get to them.

Agua quickly turns around and uses the water from her pouch to form a water whip and sends the two guards flying off. As the guards fall, Mai reaches the top and runs toward Agua, stretching out her right hoof, shoots off some more arrows. Agua raises a shield of ice to protect herself as the arrows embed themselves in it as Mai keeps charging at Agua, who runs away. Mai jumps over the icy wall in hot pursuit of Agua. Fire’ waits for Agua and lets her pass as he awaits for Mai.

Using his magic, Fire’ causes some of the construction scaffolding to collapse, but Mai sees this and directs a throwing star right at Fire.’ Fire’ barley manages to dodge the flying star as. Unfortunately, Mai is standing on one side of the collapsed scaffolding and has a clear shot of the group. But, just as she throws more arrows at them, the ground beneath the team opens up, making them disappear and then rapidly closes again. Mai looks where her targets disappeared, letting out a deep sigh. She then turns around and walks away.

Below ground... “Ow! I had softer landings.” Rainbow said after both Applejack and Rarity landed on her. The team then sees a group of resistance members, just looking at them. It’s Yung, flanked by two other members.

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Meanwhile, at a traveling circus in not far from Omashu, Azula is looking for a pink earth pony with a light brown mane and tail with a high-wire set up for a cutie mark. Azula finds her and sees she's standing on the tip of one hoof. “Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?” Azula said to her.

She then opens her eyes and smiles when she sees... “Azula!” Ty Lee breaks her stand and spins around in a graceful twirl and bows down before Azula. She then runs forward to give Azula a hug. “It is so good to see you!”

“Please, don't let me interrupt your ... whatever it is you were doing.”

Ty Lee, still smiling, does a back flip and ends up lying on her chest with one leg stretched out over her head and the other straight up to the sky.

“Tell me, what is the daughter of a noblemare doing here?” Azula said as she glances around to try to figure out why Ty Lee is with this circus. “Certainly our parents didn't send us to the Royal Academy for Mares to end up in ... places like this,” Azula said when she sees a Komodo Dragon lay a few eggs, which disgust her as she turns her attention back to Ty Lee, who's smiling at the sight. “I have a proposition for you. I'm hunting a traitor.” Azula then casually looks at her hoofs. “You remember my old fuddy duddy uncle, don't you?” Azula asked.

“Oh yeah. He was so funny.” Ty Lee said, giggling while resting on her chest and elbows, but now with both of her back hoofs resting on her head.

“I would be honored if you would join me on my mission.” Azula said to her old friend.

“Oh... I ... uh ... would love to.” Ty Lee said as she stands up in a fluid and elegant movement. “But the truth is, I'm really happy here.” She then smiles sincerely. “I mean, my aura has never been pinker!”

Azula quickly raises her hoof in a ‘stop’ motion before Ty Lee could explain further. “I'll take your word for it. Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me.”

“Thank you, Azula.” Ty Lee then bows in respect and returns to her stretching.

“Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show.” Azula said while walking away.

Ty Lee's then accidentally breaks her stance, as she gasps in panic. She then continues her stretch and the expression of panic changes to one of worry. “Huh? Uh ... yeah ... sure ... uh ... of course...”

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Back to Omashu, lot of people have gathered in some sort of underground cave. At the other side of the room, Fire,’ Agua, the main 6, the Wonderbolts and the CMC enter the large space through a tunnel. They are talking to Yung and his friends. “So, is this hyar Kin' Bumi wif yo' guys? Is he leadin' th' resistance?” Applejack asked.

“Of course not!” Yung angrily said. “The day of the invasion, we readied ourselves for battle, we were prepared to defend our city ... to fight for our lives and for our freedom. But before we even had a chance, King Bumi surrendered, I asked him what he wanted to do. He looked me in the eye and said, in these exact words, ‘I'm going to do ... nothing!’ He then started laughing and snorting like the mad lunatic he is.”

“Wow. Sombra would be a good guy compared to Bumi.” Spike said.

“Who?” Agua asked.

“It doesn't matter now.” Yung continued. “Fighting the Fire Nation is the only path to freedom. And freedom is worth dying for. Just ask the Americans.” As Yung ends his speech, a smile plays on his face.

“Actually there's another path to freedom.” Fire’ said as he steps up to Yung. “You could leave Omashu. You're directing all your energy to fight the Fire Nation. But you're outnumbered. You can't win. Now is the time to retreat, so you can live to fight another day.”

“You don't understand. They've taken our home, and we have to fight them at any cost!” Yung said to the Fire Avatar, making different hoof gestures to make his point.

“I don't know, Yung, living to fight another day is starting to sound pretty good to me.” One of the resistance fighters said in a soft tone.

“Yeah, I'm with the Fire Avatar!” Another said as Yung looks at all the people who have taken refuge under ground and now are living in the sewer tunnels while they whisper among themselves.

He then looks back at Fire.’ “Fine. But there are thousands of citizens that need to leave. How are we going to get them all out?” Yung asked.

At this, Misty Fly gets an idea, an idea involving ... “Suckers!” Applejack then raises one eyebrow and just stares at her, along with rest of the group. Misty Fly just blinks, shifting her eyes right and left, smiling broadly. “You're all about to come down with a nasty case of pentapox.”

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The next morning, most of the civilians in Omashu have purple pentapi attach, then detach to them, including the group, except for Fire’ and Twilight, for obvious reasons. Once that’s done, Rainbow walks over to address them, which she does. “Listen up, everypony! The marks make ya look sick, but you gotta act sick too. Ya gotta sell it!” She said.

“An' how are they supposed t'do thet, Rainbow?” Applejack asked. Just then, an old stallion with a peg leg hobbles by them, leaning heavily on his cane, clutching his back while moaning in pain.

“Just like that, Applejack.” Rainbow said to the apple framer.

“Wow! How did you get so good?” Pinkie asked the old colt, who turns around.

“Years of practice.” He said as he taps his peg leg.

“Okay everyone! Into sick formation.” Spitfire called out. The entire group and the other civilians then start walking toward the gates of Omashu.

Just as Agua’s about to join them, she notices that Fire’ and Twilight are walking off in the other direction. “What are you two doing? Aren't you coming with us.” She said.

“No. We’re gonna try to find Bumi.” Fire’ said as he and Twilight head for the cities prison area.

Meanwhile, at the gates, some Fire Nation soldiers with spears are guarding, when they hear the moaning from the crowd of 'sick' people walking toward them from every direction. They’re moving like zombies, swaying back and forth, one even falls down. The guards back away as the sick crowd slowly reaches them, with Rarity then theatrically grabs her face and moans painfully, before stretching out her hoof toward the frightened guards. “Plague! Plague!” One of them screamed.

The guards on the ground then start to retreat into the citadel behind them, away from the sick, while another guard sounds the alarm to alert every one of the problem at hand. The governor of Omashu and his family, including Mai, who is eating a bowl of fire flakes, watch on one of the balconies, looking out over the city. “What is going on down there?”

“I saw some foals yesterday who were sick with pentapox. It must have spread!” A guard said.

“Pentapox! Hmm, I'm pretty sure I've heard of that.” The governor said as he storks his beard.

“Oh, this is terrible.” Mai’s mom cried.

“What should we do?” The guard asked.

“Drive them out of the city ... but don't touch them! We have to rid the city of this disease!” The governor said while pointing toward the gate. The guard bows in respect before leaving to spread the governor's orders. Mai then calmly offers him the bowl of

“Fire flakes, Dad?” Mai asked.

“How awful!” Mai’s mother gasp as she hugs her husband. Unfortunately, the little baby beside her, Mai's brother Tom-tom, toddles away from the group.

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Meanwhile, Spike has somehow ended up on a balcony above the city. “How, in the name of Celestia, did I get up here. Man, take a nap on a mail system thing, and you wake up in a completely different place.” Spike said as he looks inside and sees a cluttered room with dressing panels at the back. A teddy bear is thrown repeatedly in the air by someone behind the panels. But Spike doesn't pay attention to this as he sees a bowl of gem on the table.

His stomach growls loudly, so he runs inside, gets on the table, and gorges on the gems. Tom-tom, who is playing with a stuffed animal behind the panels, notices the sound of Spike eating and crawls away, following the sound. Tom-tom then sees that Spike’s tail is dangling over the edge. Tom-tom sits up in wonder as he examines the tail before pulling it. “Ow!” Spike cried as he turns his head and sees the happy baby.

“Uh, hi,” Spike said as Tom-tom pulls him off the table. “Bye,” Spike said as he runs for the balcony. “How do I get out of here?” Spike said as he looks back, and sees the baby stumble toward him with his arms spread out wide. “Nice ... Fire Nation baby.” Spike said as Tom-tom reaches up, only for the both of them to fall off the railing.

While he is sliding down the roof, Spike screams while Tom-tom can’t stop giggling. They land in a box of berries sliding down one of Omashu's chutes. “That wasn't so bad” Spike said after he gets out and spits out some berries. But, apparently, he spook too soon, as Tom-tom comes out and grabs Spike’s neck, nearly suffocating him. “Bad, Fire Nation baby. Bad!”

The two eventually stop and get out, with Tom-tom still holding onto Spike, as he drags the baby out of the box. The moaning crowd then passes by them, diverting Tom-toms attention away from Spike, who escapes into the crowd. The baby pushes himself to his hoofs and staggers after Spike with the crowd, out of the gates.

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Later that night, at the Fire Nation Circus, two Chinese dragon's costumes are dancing while the circus master stands in the circus's main ring, addressing to the crowd. “We're deeply honored to have the Fire Lord's daughter at our humble circus,” he then points to the back, where Azula is in a high box with two guard. “Uh ... tell us if there is anything we can do to make the show more enjoyable.”

“I will.” At the circus ring a net is spanned under an acrobat who's balancing on a rope, high up in the air on one hand. The acrobat is Ty Lee, who's wearing very colorful clothing. “Incredible. Do you think she'll fall?” Azula asked.

“Of course not, Princess.” The circus master said.

“Then wouldn't it make it more interesting if you removed the net?” Azula asked as she looks directly at the circus master.

“Uh ... the thing is ... the performers...” The concerned circus master began to say.

“You're right, you're right. That's been done.” After a short pause, she continues on with her voice showing dark pleasure. “I know. Set the net on fire.”

“Of course, Princess.” With a worried look upon his face, the circus master leaves the box. He takes a torch and sets the net aflame. Ty Lee looks down with concern at the consuming flames beneath her as she continues with her act.

“Brilliant, just brilliant!” An ecstatic Azula said. She then looks down at the circus master. “Ooh, what kind of dangerous animals do you have?” She asked happily.

The circus then master looks up, hopeful that he can change the subject to the animals and save Ty Lee from her burning peril. “Well, our circus boasts the most exotic assortment...”

“Release them all!” Azula interrupted. The circus master is utterly shocked by Azula's command while Ty Lee still has a worried face while balancing on one hoof above the flames. The animals are then released, causing Ty Lee to yelp in fear.

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On the outskirts of Omashu, the group and all the civilians have made a makeshift camp. Rarity’s, of course, is the only one that’s two stories tall. “Guy’s, look!” Rainbow called out as she points toward a light coming their way. It’s ... “Firebrand and Twilight!” Rainbow said as the two land, and are greeted by the group.

“Did you find Bumi?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“No. We looked everywhere. No Bumi.” Fire’ answered as Yung approaches.

“We've got a problem,” Yung said to them. “We just did a head count.”

“Oh no. Did someone get left behind?” A worried Agua asked.

“No, we have an extra.” Yung said as he steps aside and shows the group Spike, who's staggering forward with the Tom-tom clamped around his neck, giggling.

“A little ... help.” Spike said in between breaths.

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In the governor's house at Omashu, his wife is sobbing on the balcony. Her daughter Mai slowly reaches into her robe and pulls out a handkerchief and gives it to her mother with a board expression on her face. The governor rests his hoofs on the railing of the balcony as he stares out over his city as his sobbing wife, apathetic daughter and two guards stand behind him. “So, the resistance has kidnapped my son. Everything so clever, so tricky. Just like their King Bumi.”

The governor said as a guard steps forward. “What do you want to do, sir?” The guard asked.

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Meanwhile, Ty Lee is in her dressing room sitting at a desk removing part of her costume, when Azula walks in. “What an exquisite performance. I can't wait to see how you'll top yourself tomorrow.”

Ty Lee just smilies at Azula's reflection in the mirror and says. “I'm sorry Azula, but unfortunately there won't be a show tomorrow.” 

“Really?”

Ty Lee then hangs up her tiara. “The universe has given me strong hints that it's time for a career change.” She then turns around to face Azula. “I want to join you on your mission.” Azula now has a satisfied look on her face.

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Back to the campsite in the valley, the gang, the baby, and some resistance fighters are sitting at one of the many campfires. The baby is still trying to catch Spike. The dragon leaps out-of-the-way and the baby tumbles down, right next to Rarity’s hair brush. He picks it up and starts to suck on it. Rarity quickly snatches the brush out of the baby's hoofs.

“No! Bad Fire Nation baby!” Rarity said to the foal, who starts to cry. Sweetie Belle then looks from the baby to Rarity and stares at her older sister. “Oh ... all right.” An annoyed Rarity said as she gives the brush back to the foal, who stops crying and plays with it.

Fluttershy then hugs Tom-tom from behind. “Oooh, you're so cute.” Fluttershy said to the baby in a baby voice.

“Sure he's cute now, but when he's older, he'll join the Fire Nation army. Yung said, sitting on the other side of the fire, to Fluttershy, who is happily playing with the baby. “You won't think he's so cute then. He'll be a killer.”

At this, Fluttershy hold up the baby toward Yung. “Does that look like the face of a killer to you?” Yung’s face remains totally indifferent at the sight of the cute baby.

They then hear an animal shrieks and see a red bird land on a nearby rock. “What is that?” Rainbow asked.

“A messenger hawk!” Yung answered as Fire’ walks up to the hawk and takes the message from the canister on it’s back.

“What does it say?” Apple Bloom asked as Fire’ opens the message.

“It's from the Fire Nation governor. He thinks we kidnapped his son.” Fire’ answered while pointing toward Tom-tom, who's chewing on Spikes tail. “So ... he wants to make a trade. His son ... for King Bumi.”

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The next day Fire’ and Agua look at the Fire Nation occupied city as they head down the hill they were standing on toward the others. “You guys realize we're probably walking right into a trap.” Rainbow said.

“I don't think so.” Fire’ said as Rarity places Tom-tom in her saddle bag. “I'm sure the governor wants his son back as much as we want Bumi. It's a new day, and I have a good feeling about this.”

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Meanwhile, inside Omashu, a royal palanquin is being carried up the stairs towards the house of the governor. The silhouette of Azula can be seen through the veils. At the base of the stairs, a lonely Mai awaits the arrival of the palanquin. The palanquin is then put down and Azula gets out as she and Ty Lee walk over to Mai, who puts her hoofs together and bows slightly towards Azula. “Please tell me you're here to kill me.” She said as she looks up at Azula as a smile appears on her otherwise emotionless face. Then both mares start to laugh as Azula then places her hoof on Mai’s shoulder.

“It's great to see you too, Mai.” Ty Lee then rushes forward and gives her friend a big hug.

Mai just uncomfortably pats her back a little. “I thought you ran off and joined the circus? You said it was your calling.” Mai said as Ty Lee releases her.

“Well, Azula called a little louder.” Ty Lee answered.

“I have a mission and I need you both.” Azula said as she places a hoof on both her friends' shoulders.

“Count me in.” Mai said as she looks annoyed at the house of her parents. “Anything to get me out of this place.”

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Later, Azula is now sitting on the throne of Omashu, flanked by two Fire Nation guards. The governor and his wife are in front of her, as well as Mai and Ty Lee. “I apologize, but you've come to Omashu at a difficult time.” Mai’s father, the governor, said to the Fire Nation princess. “At noon we're making a trade with the resistance to get Tom-tom back.”

“Yes, I'm so sorry to hear about your son, but really, what did you expect by just letting all the citizens leave?” Azula said as she stands up, addressing the governor in a harsher tone. “My father has trusted you with this city and you're making a mess of things!”

The governor and his wife then prostrate themselves before her. “Forgive me, Princess.” The governor begged.

“You stay here.” Azula said to the governor as Mai and Ty Lee get up behind her “Mai will handle the hostage trade so you don't have a chance to mess it up. And there is no more ‘Omashu.’ I'm renaming it in honor of my father, the city of New Ozai.” Azula said as she stops in front of a large statue of Ozai, still in its scaffolds.

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  That noon, the group, with Tom-tom, and without the Wonderbolts, are standing on a large wooden scaffold. They look serious as a party of three mare approaches, with Mai leading the way. “There’s something familiar about that red mare.” Pinkie said when she sees Azula.

“You seen her before?”

“No, Dashie, but there is something familiar, I just can’t quit put my hoof on it.” Pinkie said as a crane lowers down a metal cage. In the cage is King Bumi, an old Unicorn with a brown coat and a green-grey mane, his cutie mark is hidden by the anti-metal box, with only his head left uncovered.

“Hi, everypony!” Bumi chuckled and snorted.

“That’s ... him?” Sweetie asked Twilight.

“I admit, he’s a lot different from what I expected.” Twilight said as the cage touches the ground behind Azula and friends.

“You brought my brother?” Mai asked.

“Unfortunately.” Rarity said as Tom-tom tugs at her mane. “We're ready to trade now.”

“I'm sorry, but a thought just occurred to me. Do you mind?” Azula said to Mai.

“Of course not, Princess Azula.” Mai said as she turns toward Azula.

“We're trading a two-year old for a king.” Azula said as she looks up at Bumi. “A powerful, Unicorn king?”

Bumi nods at this, while saying, “Mmm hmmm!”

“It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it?” Azula said as Mai ponders over the idea.

She looks over to her brother, who yawns and happily rests his head against Rarity’s mane. “You're right.” Mai said, causing Azula to smile slyly while Mai walks forward. “The deal's off.”

Mai holds up her hoof, gesturing the guards to pull Bumi back up. As the chains reel in from above, the King is suspended in the air once again. “Whhhoa! See you all later!” Bumi said, clearly amused by all this.

“What now?” Rainbow asked.

“We save Bumi,” Fire’ said as he sprints forward. Azula tries to stop him by blocking his path with a mighty stream of blue flames, but Fire’ dodges these by leaping high up into the air, propelled by his firebending. Azula is completely shocked by this incredible jump as Fire’ lands on the cage, losing the bandana, exposing his flame like mane.

“The Fire Avatar!” A surprised Azula said. “My lucky day.” She then runs over to a pulley and cuts the rope that serves as a break. The winch begins to spin rapidly as Azula grabs hold to the rope and is pulled up rapidly toward the top of the construction scaffolding.

“Who are you, Unicorn? Where did you come from?” Bumi asked Fire,’ who’s heating the chain.

“Hang on! We're gonna get you out of here.” Fire’ said as the links of the chain begin to expand.

On the ground, Mai and Ty Lee charge at the rest of the group. Mai readies her stiletto's while Agua takes on a defensive position. “We've got to get the baby out of here!” Fluttershy said as Rainbow heads for the end of the walkway, with Tom-tom.

“Way ahead of ya!” She said as she takes off, making sure that Mai nor Ty Lee won’t see her. The others run to the edge of the big platform. Before they can reach it, Ty Lee's hoof emerges from one of the holes in the floor and punches Applejack’s hoof, causing her to fall over, land on Apple Bloom, and slide toward the edge. Applejack protectively clutches her little sister in his arms as the two prepare for the worst, but they stop just in time.

Rainbow then sees Mai, who looks at her with disgust. “What’s the matter?”

“You're so colorful, it's making me nauseous.” Mai said as she throws some darts at Rainbow, who barley avoids them.

Agua then sees Ty Lee jumping out of the hole in the floor and setting course for the Apple siblings. She bends water from her pouch to attack her, but notices something behind her. It’s Mai, who throws four knives at Agua, but Agua reacts quickly by using her water whip to raise up several wooden planks. She does so just in time, the wooden board prevented the knives from piercing her face. Twilight then uses her magic to shoot the wooden boards toward Mai. Agua then turns around in one fluent motion toward Ty Lee who has almost reached the Apple siblings by now, but water whip grabs Ty Lee by the ankle, pulling her to the ground.

Above them, Fire’ is still heating the chain connected to Bumi’s cage as the two are raised in the air. “Fire Avatar, stop your melting for a minute.” Bumi said to Fire’ as the chain is about to give way. But an explosion occurs on top of the scaffolding. Fire’ looks up and sees Azula, propelled in the air and shoots a plume of blue fire toward them with her flamethrower. But Fire’ deflects the flame with a strong plume of fire of his own. “Now hold on just a--” Just then, the melted chain gives way and they free fall, screaming.

Fire’ then turns over Bumi's coffin, so he wouldn't be crashed when they land. As they are about to crash upon one of Omashu's chutes, Fire’ creates a magic bubble under them to break there fall. They then rapidly slide down the chute they landed in. Azula sees the spectacle from on top of the scaffolding. She frowns and sprints to a nearby chute, pursuing the Fire Avatar and the King down the chute in a box of her own.

“Fire Avatar, I need to talk to you!” Bumi said, looking serious.

“It’s nice to meet you, too!” Fire’ said with a smile, misunderstanding Bumi. While Fire’ is still smiling, he notices the fast approach of something in a chute on his left. He turns to see what it is, just as Azula shoots several bolts of lightning toward them. He creates a shield to block the lightning as both chutes come together, with Azula right behind them.

Fire’ sends a blast at her, but she ducks before it hits. She retaliates with several lightning bolts. Fire’ ducks underneath them and starts to peddle with his sword, increasing their speed as they enter a portion of the chute that has wooden arches over it at short intervals. Fire’ cuts these through with his blade, making them collapse upon the track. Azula is caught in the dust cloud, knocked up by the falling debris.

When her box emerges again, it seems to be empty. Fire’, not seeing Azula anymore, sighs in relief, but his sigh quickly turns into a scream as Azula emerges again from the box, sending another bolt toward him. Fire’ drops flat on his belly to avoid it. Back to the large wooden platform, Mai is fighting both Twilight and Agua. Mai dodges Twilight's lasers and Agua’s water whips and answers their attacks by shooting stiletto's out of the launcher attached to her leg.

Agua easily defends herself and Twilight by freezing the water to create an ice wall. This time, Mai charges the two head on. The waterbender defends herself by capturing Mai's right arm in a stream of water and freezing it. Mai tries to break the ice, but fails. “Yeah! Go Agua!”

“Go Twilight!” Both Sweetie Belle and Spike said as they, along with the others, watch. But, they fail to notice Ty Lee climbing on the platform behind Agua and Twilight, until it’s too late.

“Twilight, look out!!!” Applejack cried out, but it’s too late as Ty Lee bounces toward Agua and Twilight and hits them with several quick jabs on their arms. The two are surprised by the attack as Twilight falls to the ground and Agua loses control over her water stream, which splashes on the ground. She tries to raise the water again, but it only moves a little.

Spike and the rest of Twilight’s friends (except Rainbow), run to her side, wonder how Ty Lee did that. “How are you gonna fight without your bending or magic?” Mai taunted as she pulls out a sai from her robe and takes aim at the shocked group. Just as she is about to throw the weapon, a lightening bolt hits, scaring Ty Lee and Mai, who look up with the others and see Rainbow with some clouds and the Wonderbolts, who have the chariot.

“We seem to manage!” Rainbow said as the Wonderbolts create a tornado and send both Mai and Ty Lee flying.

“Is Twilight okay?” Spitfire said when she sees the Alicorn on the ground.

“I’m fine,” Twilight answered, relieving the group. “I just can’t move, is all. I should be fine,” She said as Fluttershy and Pinkie help her onto the chariot and take off. They then fly down the chutes of Omashu, in search of ... “There's Fire’!” Twilight called, able to stand again.

“We can catch him!” Rainbow said as the Wonderbolts head a course toward Fire,’ who is still on the defensive as Azula fires more lightning at him.

“Hang on, guys! Your ride's here!” Agua said as she lands onto Bumi’s cage and lifts it up. Fire’ then, using his magic, helps to lift up the coffin by hitting the side of the chute. The others try to grab hold of the coffin as it passes overhead, but they cannot reach it. Bumi screams as he, Agua and Fire’ fall down. Fire’ uses his magic to move the coffin to a more horizontal position in midair as their fall is broken by another chute as they land crosswise on it, breaking right through. They then land on another chute and start to slide down once again with Azula on their trail.

“Oh, no” Fire’ said as Azula fires another lighting bolt, which rapidly gains on the three. Bumi peeks at the upcoming bolt of lightning and clenches his teeth in effort. A pillar of earth rises in the middle of the chute, protecting them from the bolt. Azula gasps for air as she notices that her path is now blocked. She jumps up just in time and slides down the chute on hoof, while her box slams to pieces against the rock. She eventually halts in the middle of the chute, looking displeased at Fire,’ Agua and Bumi, who continue their descent.

“How did that happen?” A surprised Agua asked.

“Wait ... Bumi, did you...?”

“Yep, I did.” Bumi answered Fire,’ before he could finish his question.

“So, you're an earthbender. And you could earthbend? All along?” A shocked Fire’ asked the crazy king.

“Well, they didn't cover my face.” Bumi then strains himself again in effort and raises another earth pillar to stop their descent down the chute. The coffin hits it and ends up standing straight on top of the rock, while Fire’ and Agua land in front of it, looking up at the king.

“I don’t get it.” A confused Agua said.

“Same here.” A angry and annoyed Fire’ said. “Why didn't you free yourself? Why did you surrender when Omashu was invaded? What's the matter with you, Bumi?”

“Listen to me, Avatars.” Bumi calmly began. “There are options in fighting, called jing. It's a choice of how you direct your energy.”

“Jing?”

“I know what jing are.” Fire’ said to a very confused Agua. “There's positive jing when you're attacking, and negative jing when you're retreating.”

“...and neutral jing, when you do nothing!” Bumi happily added.

“There three jings?” A confused Fire’ said.

“Well, technically there are eighty-five. But, let's just focus on the third.” Bumi said to the two Avatars. “Neutral jing is the key to earthbending. It involves listening and waiting for the right moment to strike.”

“That's why you surrendered, isn't it?” Agua said, starting to understand.

“Yes, and it's why I can't leave now.” Bumi said.

“Than how are we supposed to find the next Avatar, who’s somewhere in Geo Firma?” Fire’ asked.

“I can give you a hint.” Bumi said. “The Avatar of Earth will be someone who has mastered neutral jing. You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking. Goodbye, for now. I'll see you and the other Avatars when the time is right.” King Bumi then lets his coffin tumble backwards and begins his ascend of the chute, laughing and snorting like a mad colt while he uses his earthbending to drive him back to the top of the chute, leaving Fire’ and Agua behind.

==================================================================

Later, the royal palanquin is being carried out the city, with Azula ridding, flanked by Mai and Ty Lee. “So, we're tracking down your brother and Uncle, huh?” Mai said to Azula.

“It'll be interesting seeing Zuko again, won't it, Mai?” Ty Lee teased Mai about, causing Mai to smile slightly about seeing Zuko again.

“It's not just Zuko and Iroh anymore.” Azula said to them. “We have a few other targets now.” Azula said in a series tone.

==================================================================

Later that night, peeking down over the gutter of the governor's house, Fire’ sees the governor holding his wife while they are looking over the city with a sad expression on their faces. Fire’ silently lowers down on a rope behind them and drops off Tom-tom. Fire’ then pulls himself up while the foal toddles toward his parents, who hear the cooing of the foal, they turn around, and gasp with surprise and excitement. “Tom-tom!” Mai’s mother cried as she and the governor joyfully take the baby up into their arms under the watchful eye of Fire,’ who is sitting on the roof. He smiles at the happy scene of the reunited family before he leaves.