As the sun reflected from the shiny surfaces of the pirate armour that Tadashi's crew wore it was difficult not to see them in the Misty Palms Oasis. However the group were fortunate that they even made it this far. It was quickly found out that the Bei Fong family were not from the area that Aki's team had liberated from the rebels but they were from Gao Ling. So when the pirate ship came into port, instead of meeting resistance from the local Earthbenders they were welcomed as mercenaries. This meant that Tadashi's crew only needed to walk a few days on foot to reach the oasis where they met Sandbenders for the first time.
Whenever Tadashi met someone with a new ability or skill he would always watch them to no end, so much so that most people found him quite odd. He'd study their forms, compared what he learnt in his own studies and bending before passing on that knowledge to his crew. It was this enthusiasm that allowed the Earthbenders travelling with Tadashi to learn how to bend the sand. During the day they would watch the Sandbenders come and go with the crafts they used, but once the sun set down Tadashi would get the Earthbenders to practice.
As enthusiastic as Tadashi was for learning new things, Kuro was just as good at picking up new techniques. With a penchant for efficiency the young bender lacked the power needed to win in a straight up fight but his ability was real. Sikumi had spent her time talking with a scholar that was studying the very library they intended on visiting. In order to learn more, she feigned interest in the man's findings and was surprised to find out he was quite knowledgeable in Spirits, appealing to her own liking for the supernatural beings. During this time Aki monitored the bars, talking with the locals and gathering information. Not one to turn down a fruity punch, Aki quickly befriended some of the more approachable sandbenders, haggling with the traders for various bits of equipment. In the end Aki traded 15 silver pieces for quite a bit; two sand gliders, a week's worth of supplementary rations, water pouches and bags.
This didn't mean that progress was fast. The Earthbenders weren't good enough to propel one glider by themselves, needing two additional Firebenders to shoot fire backwards, giving the craft enough force to sail the sand. It didn't help that all the extra equipment they bought weighed them down, but after 2 days into the desert a lone structure in the distance raised their spirits.
"Is this it?" Sikumi asked, bending the sweat off her brow.
"I think so," Aki stated, "let's set up in the shade."
Fortunately for the group the large tower also created an area where the Firebenders could relax without worry. As with most of their operations they split into two groups; the first consisted of Tadashi, Aki, Sikumi, Kuro and one more Firebender. The others would stay behind and guard their equipment, suspicious of the quick eyes the Sandbenders had given them back at the Oasis.
As the group entered the library, using multiple ropes, they were stunned by the sheer size of it all. The structure was huge, spanning multiple stories, featuring bridges of great length and shelves stacked with books a mile high. However as soon as the group touched the floor of the great library a huge shadow approached them from the depth of building.
"What are you doing here?"
The group gasped but it was Sikumi who was first to react.
"Are you a spirit?" she asked.
"Yes, I am Wan Shi Tong, 'He Who Knows Ten Thousand Things.' And humans are not welcome here."
"Why?" Tadashi asked.
"You humans only care about dominating one another. Like one of your kind who entered a few years ago looking to destroy his enemies." The owl spoke, looking directly at Tadashi, "Are you like that man?"
"No!" Tadashi instantly denied, "We are here because of that man, we fear he wants to do something terrible."
"Is that why you have come?"
This time it was Aki who stepped forwards.
"Admiral Zhao is indeed a vain man who thinks only of himself, we fear he plans on hurting the innocent. Our job is to protect the innocent, which includes humans, animals and spirits."
"I sense truth, but not complete truth, I sense a spiritual connection amongst you that is different from that man so perhaps I can give you the benefit of the doubt." The owl spoke as the group visible relaxed, "But to prove your worth as scholars, you have to contribute some worthwhile knowledge."
Sikumi smiled, having prepared for this. She walked up to Wan Shi Tong and produced a bag filled with multiple scrolls, a book and a copy of Tadashi's findings into the various bending arts.
"We prepared a selection of works that include new applications of bending both for practical and spiritual usage." She spoke with a small bow.
Wan Shi Tong took a moment to inspect the collection, nimbly moving each item despite the large size of his wings.
"I'm impressed," he said, "I'll leave you to enjoy the library then, please take care with the older books."
Tadashi's body shook, it was the first time he had spoken with a spirit and he couldn't help but feel excited. Sikumi seemed to share the same sentiment as well as the others, including Aki who stoically looked around with determination. After nodding to herself she took out several hourglasses from her bag and handed them to everyone.
"When two hours have passed we should meet back here, ok?" she asked.
The group nodded and dispersed.
Over an hour later Tadashi was devastated. Entire sections of the Fire Nation area was misaligned and with closer inspection several of the books were burned beyond recognition. The only high point was a book detailing the history of Fire Lords with a confusing passage about a secret war between the current family and one whose name wasn't recorded in the book. The same book presented a section regarding firebending techniques that were rare or lost, including a more illustrative display of lightning bending. One particular entry in this section described an art that was quickly restricted due to its ability to kill with misuse.
To perform the ability the bender needed to know two techniques; the first was to be able to sense the heat radiating from another object and the second was to be able to change the heat in the surrounding area. These two techniques were difficult but commonly known in today's society but the book also implied that these two techniques allowed a person to steal another Fire Benders energy and add it to their own. The benefit would be that their ability to bend would increase proportionately to the bender whose energy was stolen, however if the technique was used incorrectly the target could very well die from lack of energy and the person absorbing the new energy could combust. When Tadashi read that he almost dropped the book in shock. Part of him wanted to practice the technique right away but the other half was scared witless. Tadashi spied a small fox like creature known as a Knowledge Seeker, it looked at Tadashi with curiosity as the young boy approached it.
"Could I get a copy of this passage to take with me?" Tadashi asked, hoping the creature would understand.
The knowledge seeker yipped before taking the book off Tadashi and running off, fast enough to escape Tadashi's sight in seconds. The young prince simply raised his brow and shrugged, deciding to find someone else than worry if the spirit creature would return. Without realising it Tadashi had found himself running into Sikumi who looked paler than the marble floor.
"What's wrong?" Tadashi asked, running up to the waterbender.
"You know how you told me that the Fire Nation was planning an attack on the Northern Water Tribe?" Sikumi asked, gaining a guilty nod from Tadashi, "Well I think I just found out what Zhao is planning."
Tadashi gasped and looked at Sikumi expectantly as she nodded to herself, confusing the boy slightly.
"I found a book earlier related to the Northern Water Tribe and the section related to spirits was burned, so I figured it was Zhao, based on everything you told me of him. So I started looking up spirits in relation to the Northern Water Tribe and I learned that the Ocean and Moon Spirit reside somewhere in the Northern Tribe."
"Really? Isn't that fascinating?" Tadashi asked curiously.
"Wait, that's not all." Sikumi said, "The Moon Spirit is what allows waterbenders to bend water. So if one was to get rid of the Moon Spirit then-"
"Taking over would be easy." Tadashi concluded. "But….that's evil."
"It only gets worse," Sikumi said, "Getting rid of the Moon Spirit would ruin the balance between it and the Ocean Spirit, making travel by sea almost impossible. Floods would ensue and the sun would radiate for longer, eventually taking up the whole day.
Tadashi tried to imagine a world with only sun. The Fire Nation enjoyed long summers and short winters. Its people were able to tolerate extensive exposure to the sun but it goes without saying that they were still human. With no break and extensive heat all plants would die, maybe not this generation but next.
"We need to talk with Wan Shi Tong." Tadashi stated.
The two rushed to the meeting place just as time ran out on their Hourglasses. Fortunately the owl-like spirit was already at the meeting point, holding a copy of the book Tadashi had asked for.
"May I ask why you want this book?" the spirit asked, as the others slowly came in.
"What? Oh, I like learning new things." Tadashi had to quickly wrap his head around the question with his mind wholly focused on the Moon Spirit. "But more importantly we need your help."
"What's wrong?" Aki asked.
"The Moon Spirit is in danger, we learned that Zhao plans on killing the spirit during the Water tribe Invasion."
Wan Shi Tong visibly stiffened, his eyes looking at Tadashi with a sharp gaze.
"Is this true?" he asked.
"Yes," Sikumi answered, "But we're not sure how to stop him."
"I see…" the spirit said, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention but there is nothing that I can do. The Ocean and Moon spirit left the spirit world a long time ago and became mortal, there is no technique that I am willing to teach you that can help."
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
"What do you mean willing?" Tadashi asked.
"There is one, but that is restricted to waterbenders and allows the bender to gain a sense of control over spirits. I'd never teach that to humans."
"Wait, Tadashi, we can still prevent this from happening." Aki spoke, "Great spirit, can we leave the library with the knowledge we collected, if only to protect those that did no wrong?"
"Despite your over conciliatory words I agree that stopping the death of the Moon Spirit is important. I'm surprised though, you humans might not all be the same."
"Of course, just like the Avatar we're here to do what needs to be done in the interests of the people living in the land, not the ones ruling it." Tadashi beamed proudly.
"Well said for a young prince." The spirit replied, shocking Tadashi.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"I am Wan Shi Tong, of course I know." He simply said.
Without any other words being spoken the spirit flew off, diving deeper into the depths of the library. The group used this opportunity to leave, Tadashi taking the book that the owl spirit left behind.
"Perhaps I'll return this one day." He said.
----------------------------------------
Instead of heading back towards Gao Ling as most would assume, Tadashi and his crew moved towards Water Fall Pond. Here they would rendezvous with the ship and investigate the area around Full Moon Bay which was rumoured to be an Earth Kingdom relief area. Using the name and reputation of the Crimson Raiders even the Earth Kingdom would be wary about facing such a foe which meant that the crew were mostly unchallenged as they approached the bay.
However they were rather disappointed when they found nothing of interest in the first day. Kuro would use his earthbending so sense shifts in the ground around him to see if there was any activity, a skill he had read whilst in the Library, but due to his inexperience with the talent it never amounted to much. The second day was a repeat of the first, the third followed suit and quickly the crew grew bored of searching around and on the fourth day Aki could barely keep her weariness to herself. It was already late in the afternoon when Tadashi was considering packing up and heading north again when they suddenly heard the sound of battle coming from a nearby area. It was faint but everybody picked it up, their training instantly attuning their mind for battle.
The location ended up being in a remote area of no significance but Aki was the first to spot a large group of Fire Benders attacking the group she recognised as the Kyoshi Warriors and they were having a hard time defending themselves. The area was flat, with little cover and the Fire Nation had them surrounded and outnumbered 4 to 1.
"Orders?" Aki asked Tadashi, her hand already drawing her sword.
"Like I need to tell you," Tadashi replied with a grimace, "We need the Kyoshi Warriors."
There were several fighters with Tadashi at that moment; Aki, Kuro, two more Firebenders and another Earthbender. Sikumi has been left on the ship as she had wanted to practice her bending more. With a mad dash the group, dressed in pirate gear, pounced on their fellow Fire Nation men.
The plan was to be far more lenient than how they were with the Pirates, ensuring that neither side lost anyone or was critically injured. That was how the battle was supposed to go but when a scout spotted the Crimson Raiders their reputation did something incredible and scared them off.
Tadashi was almost disappointed as he jogged towards Suki, his eyes darting around to check for any ambushes.
"Tadashi, Aki? What are you doing here?" Suki asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," Tadashi replied, "But we heard sounds of fighting and came to investigate, when we saw you we just rushed in."
"And they ran away." Aki added, nodding towards Suki and the rest of her warriors, "Are any of you injured?"
"We have two that are bleeding quite badly but the rest are fine." Someone spoke.
"Oh, we can help with that. Sikumi is a great healer!" Tadashi said.
"Sikumi? I feel like I've heard that name before…."Suki murmured as she agreed to go with Tadashi.
When the group returned to the ship the Water Tribe girl was already on deck practicing, so she noticed the group quickly, astonished to see the number of guests who returned. Her wariness of the situation dissipated when she recognised Suki behind the face paint she always wore, the Waterbender almost jumping off the ship to go and greet her.
"Suki!" she ran and hugged the Kyoshi Warrior.
"I knew I recognised that name," Suki returned the hug, "I haven't seen you in years! What's this about you being a healer?"
"Huh?" Sikumi said, slightly confused before seeing the two Kyoshi Warriors that had been crudely bandaged up.
Without a moment's notice she rushed to the nearest one, brought out her water and concentrated on the wound. The Kyoshi Warriors making faces of discomfort that quickly turned to relief as the pain slowly faded away.
"Sometime after visiting Kyoshi Island I learned how to heal. I mainly used it for small scabs and injuries during fishing but I couldn't wait to show you, I just never had the chance." She glanced at the ground slightly before focusing on the second warrior.
Suki couldn't help but feel confused, trying to piece together why she was here with Tadashi and not with the other members of her family but when Aki discreetly came up to her and whispered in her ear her heart lurched in place and her eyes threatened to release tears she had trained to keep at bay as a warrior.
But it was right in front of her, this girl that had quickly become one of her best friends that feigned happiness to better the lives of those around her, they wouldn't notice because they didn't know her as well as Suki did.
"Um….can I speak to her alone?" She asked Aki who raised an eyebrow but nodded.
Before Sikumi noticed Aki had come up with an excuse to move everyone, including the other Kyoshi Warriors and Tadashi away from the two who now had plenty of space. Without warning Suki gave Sikumi another hug, but this time the tension that was built up within Sikumi had released, letting go of the grief that she had stubbornly hoarded up until now.
"It's ok, I'm sorry." Suki whispered, "Remember I'm here for you."
Sikumi, who could hardly form a cohesive sentence, simply nodded as she felt this otherworldly force slowly leave her body, the pain and suffering she kept buried in her heart dissipated, the bad memories in her mind fading away.
The sun's warmth had felt cold before. A wave of lies, hatred and harshness that reverberated the state of the world, yet she has still found solace in her companions who continually looked after her even when knowing her past. That sun which taunted her became beautiful again, a small warmth that made everything look brighter, more hopeful and a weight lifted off her soul.
"I can't let something like this keep me down, that's not what they brought me up to be like," Sikumi murmured, "I can't hold them back."
"What do you mean?"
Sikumi explained how she had met Tadashi, leaving out certain facts about his position within the Fire Nation which she thought were not right to bring up. She was surprised to find out that he could bend fire but rationalised that she never really asked too.
"He's quite the kid right?" Suki asked.
"I know, I've never met someone so outgoing and protective from the Fire Nation…..and I've met a lot of people." Sikumi replied.
"So I take it you'll stay with them?"
"Yeah,"
"I see."
The two paused for a moment, thinking to themselves what to say next.
"Why don't you come with us?" Sikumi asked.
"Sorry I can't, we have something we need to do," Suki replied, gesturing towards the Kyoshi Warriors.
"What's that?"
Suki shook her head, looking somewhat guilty that she couldn't tell Sikumi.
"It's a secret."
"Ahh, don't worry about it." Sikumi replied with a smile, feeling less guilty she hid Tadashi's real title.
"So….where to now?" Suki asked, trying to break any tension.
"The North Pole, I need to find a master." Sikumi told a half-truth, her mind still thinking about Zhao's plan.
Suki shivered, easily put off by very cold temperatures.
"You're lucky you're a Waterbender," she said, "I don't think I could stand it there."
The two laughed quietly as they noticed the Kyoshi Warriors getting ready to leave. Sikumi saw that Aki was also giving out orders, seemingly preparing to head north.
"Well I guess this is bye," Suki said, grasping Sikumi's hand.
"No, more like 'till next time' right?" Sikumi chuckled.
"Yea, sure." Suki nodded, her demeanour quickly changing from best friend to warrior leader.
As the group slowly made their way back into the depths of the Earth Kingdom Sikumi couldn't help but smile.
"I guess that's the end of that." Tadashi said offhandedly to her.
"Yeah, we have a job to do now." Sikumi's smile faltered. "I won't let anyone hurt the Water Tribe."