The Elements of Nature, Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning)

by Superior-Doc-Fossil

Chapter 9, The King

The Elements of Nature
Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning)
Chapter 9, The King

At the tea shop where Zuko and Iroh are working, Iroh serves tea to two customers who enjoy it. “So, you're the genius behind this incredible brew. The whole city is buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well.” One of the customers said to him.

“Good tea is its own reward.”

“But it doesn't have to be the only reward. How would you like to have your own tea shop?”

“My own tea shop? This is a dream come true!” Iroh said with excitement. Then Pao, the tea shop owner, walks in.

“What's going on here?” Pao said to Quon, the customer Iroh is serving. “Are you trying to purge my tea-maker?”

“Sorry pal, but that's business for you, right?”

“Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you assistant manager. Wait, senior assistant manager!”

“I'll provide you with a new apartment in the Upper Ring. The tea shop is yours to do with whatever you want. Complete creative freedom.”

“I even get to name the shop?”

“Of course!”

“Senior executive assistant manager?” Pao said, knowing he's losing this fight.

Iroh hands over to him the pot of tea and bows to Quon, agreeing to the terms as Zuko walks by. “Did you hear, nephew? This colt wants to give us our own tea shop in the Upper Ring of the city!”

“That's right young stallion, your life is about to change for the better!”

“I'll try to contain my joy.” He then walks outside, but not before telling Pao to ask Iroh how he did the tea so well when Quon leaves. When Zuko heads outside, he hears chatter about the party the king held for his pet bear and the unexpected arrival. “Pardon me,” Zuko said to the three mares, “but, who is this unexpected party crasher?”

“Oh, it was just this incredibly handsome red unicorn stallion who's the Avatar of Fire.” One of the mares said in a think valley girl accent. Upon hearing that, Zuko eyes widen when he realizes that if one of the Avatars was here, that means there are more as well.

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At the house that Team Avatar is at, Shining and Fire’ are playing a game of chess, with Blitz as the referee while the girls are out shopping. “Check mate.” Fire’ said after his queen captured Shining’s king.

“Ugh. Best 26 out of 50.” He said after losing to Fire’ 15 times.

“You don’t like losing?” Blitz said to him. They then hear a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.” Shining said, tired of losing at chess and needing something else to do. He opens the door with his magic, and they see someone familiar. “Jo Dee?” The trio said in unison.

“Hello, Fire’ and Shining and Blitz.”

“What happened to you? Did the Dai Li throw you in jail?”

“What? Jail? Of course not. The Dai Li are the protectors of our cultural heritage, Blitz.”

“But you disappeared at the King of Geo Firma's party.” Shining pointed out.

“Oh, I simply took a short vacation to Lake Laogai, out in the country. It was quite relaxing.”

“But then they replaced you with some other mare who also said her name was Jo Dee.” Fire’ said to her, surprising her.

“I'm Jo Dee.”

“Why are you here?” Blitz said to the strange mare.

“Shopping out the stores isn't permitted without proper clearance.”

“We can't wait around to get permission for everything!” Shining yelled at Jo Dee.

“You are absolutely forbidden by the rules of the city to continue emptying out the stores.”

“We don't care about the rules and we're not asking permission!!! We are finding a way to get an audience with the king on our own and you should just stay out of our way!” Fire’ yelled as he slammed the door shut with his magic.

“That might come back to bite us in the but.” Shining said.

“I don't care! From now on we do whatever it takes to get an audience with the king!”

“Yeah, let's break some rules!” Blitz said to his spirit brother.

“Lets find the others first.” Shining said to the two Avatars.

“Good point. Knowing Rarity, she's the one emptying out all the stores.” Blitz said.

“And we have to watch out for those Dai Li agents Long Feng said will be watching us.” Shining finished.

“Well, if there watching us, I have a message for them. Tell Long Feng that nothing will stop us from getting to the king!” Fire’ said as he made his way to the door.

Blitz and Shining stare at both him and each other. “Firebrand on a war path.” Blitz said as they followed Fire’ out of the door. As they all exit the house, two Dai Li agents have watch and overheard them from a house roof across the street.

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At the Royal Palace, Long Feng meets with that particular Jo Dee. “I'm very disappointed in your work with the Avatars and their friends, Jo Dee. I hoped that you would be able to control this situation.”

“I am so sorry but they don't trust me anymore. I don't think I can keep working like this!”

“Jo Dee, the King has invited you to Lake Laogai.”

As soon as Ling said that, Jo Dee look like she was hypnotized. “I am honored to accept his invitation.”

“Good. Now go wait for the orders. If the Avatars keep searching for a way to see the king, it could upset the delicate balance we've worked so hard to achieve in this city. It could even cost us control of the King.”

“Should we take care of them?”

“No. It's much too dangerous for us to face them directly. Let's see if we can still handle this quietly.”

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At Iroh and Zuko's place of stay, which is about to change, Zuko enters Iroh's room as he is packing. “So, I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How about The Jasmine Dragon? It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it.”

“The Avatars are here in Ba Sing Se, uncle.”

“We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us.”

“Good things that are happening for you! Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea?”

“There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life and why.”

“I want my destiny.”

“What that means is up to you.” Zuko then walks away. “The Tea Weevil! No, that's stupid.”

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At the hive of the changelings in Sub-Sahara Africa, Queen Chrysalis is yelling at Medizinisch. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M WEAK!” She yelled at the doctor changeling.

“Calm down before you strangle me. Look, all I’m saying is that the Avatar of Fire is powerful with magic.” Just then, small creatures hanging from yellow strings pop down.

“Magic. Magic. Magic.” They all said in unison.

“Ugh.” Die said out of annoyance. “I thought we got ride of you furry warts!”

“All say!” Chrysalis yelled out. “You are so annoying.”

“Tell me about it! You furry warts make terrible pets! All you do is hang there and repeat yourselves! Ooh-ah-ooh!”

“Ooh-ah-ooh. Ooh-ah-ooh. Ooh-ah-ooh.” The furry warts said while laughing.

“Now,” Chrysalis said after the furry warts calmed down, “how do you know that the Fire Avatar is that powerful?”

“I did researched after Deker asked you if you were going after the Fire Avatar. I discovered that this Firebrand, despite being from Abysus, is a direct descendent of Star Swirl the Bearded!” He said with panic in his voice, not knowing how Chrysalis will react.

“WHAT! HE'S A DESCENDENT OF THE ONE WHO SEALED AWAY MY FATHER! KING MANTISES!” She yelled.

“Right. And if he’s a descendent, that would explain why Madimot’s mind control was block when he cast that spell, and how he freed Shining Armor from his control. And he did the first one on instinct.”

“AH! THIS GIVES ME AN EVEN BIGGER HEADACHE! I NEED TO GET RID OF HIM, NOW!” She then calms down a little. “Bring me the most powerful changeling warrior you can find!”

“I know just the one. Some of the other warrior changelings are even afraid of him.” Die said as she headed to the tunnel that connects to the bed chamber. “Oh Robtish! Are you there?”

“Right here.” A voice called back in a thick Scottish accent. Robtish then appears in the main chamber. He has dark red armor instead of black. He also is carrying a large sword. As he walks in, he knocks a furry wart down and steps on it, turning it to dust. “What do you need?”

“Theres an annoying red unicorn we need to get rid of.” Die said to him.

“He’s also the Avatar of Fire. So, would you like to get rid of him?” Medizinisch asked him. Robtish then grabs another furry wart and crushes it.

“Like to? I love to.”

“Then I'll open the portal that’l let you go to Ba Sing Se. That is where the Fire Avatar is at.” Die said to him as she concentrated. A portal that looks like a wormhole, only a very dark green opens. Robtish then enters it and emerges on the other side at a Ba Sing Se quarry.

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At the Ba Sing Se shopping mall, the girls are having some fun until a unicorn Jo Dee shows up and tells them that they are not allowed to shop out the stores without proper clearance. They then stare at Rarity, who put of all of them, had the most bags full of thing like dresses, hats, shoes, boats, scarfs, etc. After a few returns, the girls decide to head back to the house. On their way, Twilight hears a familiar voice behind them.

“Twilight?” Twilight gasp when she hers the colts voice and turns around. She then gets angry at the source of the voice, a young unicorn stallion with a brown mane and tail, no longer then Big Mac’s, while his coat is a lighter color. He also has two hook swords for a cutie mark. It’s Jet.

“What are you doing here!” She yelled, startling the others. Cadence recognizes Jet right away.

“Uh oh.”

“Twilight, Cadence, who is that?”

“That Twilight’s old boyfriend, Jet.” Cadence began. “She left him when his obsession over defeating the Fire Nation became unbearable.”

“Why is he obsessing over the defeat of the Fire Nation?”

“Thats a good question, Sweetie Belle. The reason is because they killed his family was too much for Twilight.” Cadence said as Twilight charges up her horn.

“Twilight, I've changed!”

“I’ll believe that when I see it!” She said as she telekinesis on Jet. Jet is thrown against a wall, while Twilight begins to move to him until Cadence stops her.

“Twilight. This isn't that time for this.” The boys then approach them.

“Twilight, whats going on?” Shining asked his little sister.

“It’s Jet.” Cadence said to her husband.

“We can't trust anything Jet says!” Twilight yelled.

“What the hay is goin’ on here?” Applejack said while Twilight is still glaring at Jet.

“Lets talk about this, okay” Jet said as he was being strangled.

“No way!” Twilight snapped.

“We don't even know why he's here, Twiley!”

“I don't care why he's here, whatever the reason is, it can't be good!” Twilight yelled at her brother.

"I swear, I've changed! I was a troubled pony and I let my anger get out of control, but I don't even have the gang now! I've put all that behind me!” Jet said as he is still being strangled.

“You're lying!”

Terra then walks up to the wall Jet is on and places her hoof on it. “He's not lying, Twilight.”

“How can you tell?”

“I can feel his breathing and heartbeat, Rainbow. When ponies lie, there's a physical reaction. He's telling the truth.”

“Twilight, calm down, or you’ll end up just like him.” Shining said to her. With that, Twilight releases her grip and Jet falls to the ground.

“All right.” She said as she points and looks angrily at Jet. “But I’m not letting you out of our sight.”

“I’ve change Twilight.” Jet said as he begins to follow the group. Fire’ cast a stare at Jet’s way while he passes them.

“Whats the matter, Fire’?” Terra asked as she, Agua and Shining are standing next to him.

“I don’t trust this guy.”

“Why?” Agua said to Fire.’ “He seems real nice.”

“Until you mention the Fire Nation.” Shining pointed out. “But, there's something else, isn't there.” Fire’ said nothing, he only blushed.

“Do you like Twilight?” Terra playfully said,

“What ... no!” Fire’ firmly said. Terra soon smiles.

“I can tell you're lying...” Fire’ then angrily walks away. On their way to the palace, the meet up with Smellerbee and Longshot and they notice Jet.

“Jet!” Smellerbee said when she sees Jet with team Avatar.

“I thought you said you didn't have your ‘gang’ anymore!”

“I don't, Twilight!”

“We were so worried.” Smellerbee said to them. “How did you get away from the Dai Li?”

“The Dai Li?!” Twilight said.

“I don't know what she's talking about!”

“He got arrested by the Dai Li a couple of weeks ago. We saw them drag him away!” Smellerbee said as Terra walks in between the two to feel the vibrations in the ground.

“Why would I be arrested? I've lived peacefully in the city!”

“This doesn't make any sense.” Terra said to them all.

“What doesn't make sense?” Apple Bloom asked.

“They're both telling the truth.” Terra answer.

“That's impossible.”

“No it's not!” Fire’ said when he realizes something. “Terra can't tell who's lying because they both think they're telling the truth. Jet's been brainwashed!”

“That's crazy! It can't be!” The two groups then surround them. “Stay away from me!”

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Later that night, a Dai Li agent is walking on streets, when suddenly, Zuko, disguised as the Blue Spirit, runs by. “Out of my way, skinny!” Zuko yelled at him. The agent pursues and confronts what appears to be him. But when he fires his gun, he notices it is a stuffed figure. Zuko, still disguised, captures him and places one of his swords to the agent's neck. “If you don't want to end up like him, you'll do what I say.”

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In an unknown building, Team Avatar, Longshot, and Smellerbee all surround a seated Jet. “The Dai Li must have sent Jet to spy on us!” Twilight said.

“I bet he can remember where he was.” Fire’ said as he got closer to Jet. “Jet, where did they take you?”

“Nowhere! I don't know what you're talking about!”

“We need to find a way to jog his real memories.” Blitz said.

“Maybe Twilight can kiss him. That should bring something back!”

“Maybe you should kiss him, Rainbow!”

“Hey, just an idea!”

“A bad one.” Fire’ said.

“Oooh, wait! I've got it!” Pinkie said as she sticks a blade of grass into Jet's mouth.”

“I don't think it's working.” Jet then spits it out.

“Try to think of something from your past that triggers your emotions.” Terra said.

“The Fire Nation! Remember what they did to your family!”

“Good idea, Smellerbee. Close your eyes, Jet. Picture it.” Twilight said to him.

Jet remembers images of his town burning down and a Fire Nation soldier looking back at him.“No! It's too painful!”

“Maybe this will help.” Agua said as she takes some water and uses healing to clear his mind.

“How are you doin’ that?”

“I look at some more scrolls an I found out that waterbending can also be used for healing.”

“Cool.” Sweetie said. Jet begins to see images of Long Feng, then an underground area. He then sees an image of a Dai Li agent shining a spinning light in his face.

“They took me to a headquarters under the water! Like a lake!” Jet said as he began to remember.

“Wait!” Fire’ suddenly said. “Remember what Jo Dee said? She said she went on vacation to Lake Laogai!”

“That's it! Lake Laogai!” Jet said as he remembers the name of the lake.

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Later, the Team, Jet, Longshot, and Smellerbee are now at Lake Laogai. “So where's this secret headquarters?” Shining asked Jet.

“Under the water, I think.”

“There's a tunnel right there by the shore.” Terra said as she uses her earthbending and brings up a slab of rock that only unicorns can lift. The rock was hiding an entrance that leads under the water. She moves the rock out the way with the same technique. They all make their way into the headquarters.

“It's all starting to come back to me.” Jet said as they passed a room full of mares and a Dai Li agent brainwashing them to be ‘Jo Dee.’ They open another door where, unknown to them, several Dai Li agents are waiting. The door closes suddenly on them. After the door closes, lights turn on, revealing the agents.

“Now that's something different.” Rainbow said.

“You have made yourselves enemies of the state. Take them into custody.” Two agents take out some cuffs and fire them, but Terra breaks them with some rocks. Jet breaks up two other cuffs fired by agents, and takes one out. A full battle ensues. Terra deals with a pair of Dai Li agents. She is captured by one, but Jet frees her. Longshot fires an arrow which destroys a large cuff. Jet holds off more of them. Long Feng them makes his escape.

“Long Feng is escaping!” Fire said as he, Jet, and Shining begin chasing him. They head into another part of the HQ, but are sealed in by him using magic.

“All right, Avatar of Fire, you've caused me enough problems. This is your last chance. Leave now and never return.”

“Not gonna happen until we talk to the king.” Shining said to the traitor.

“You're in no position to bargain.” Jet said to Long.

“Am I not?”

“You're definitely not!” Fire’ said.

“Jet, the King has invited you to Lake Laogai.”

“I am honored to accept his invitation.” Jet said under Long’s control. He then attacks Fire’ and Shining.

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In another part of the HQ, Zuko, still disguise as the Blue Spirit, is looking for the Avatars. He then sees a shape that looks like Terra. “You're mine now.” However, instead of Terra, it's actually Iroh. “Uncle?”

“So, the Blue Spirit. I wonder who could be behind that mask...”

Zuko lets out a sigh and removes his mask. “What are you doing here?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing. What do you plan to do now that you've found the Dai Li's, HQ or found one of the Avatars? Keep him or her locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?”

“First I have to find one of the Avatars.”

“And then what!? You never think these things through! This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatars of Fire and Water at the North Pole! You had them, and then you had nowhere to go!”

“I would have figured something out!”

“NO! If the Fire Avatar hadn't thawed your head, you would have frozen to death!!”

“I know my destiny, Uncle!”

“Is it your own destiny, or is it a destiny somepony else has tried to force on you?”

“Stop it, Uncle! I have to do this!”

“I'm begging you, Prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you, and what do you want?” Zuko then screams loudly, throwing down his swords and Blue Spirit mask.

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Meanwhile, in a heavy security prison in Canterlot, two Royal Guard pegasi stand guard in front of a cast-iron hi-tech security door. Behind the security door was another security door with another guard pony behind magic-proof glass in a guard station, monitoring cameras and motion detectors in the room behind the second door. The room both doors led to was an octagonal steel-encased room with a cast-iron magic-proof cage. Inside the cage, was a statue. A statue of a dragon-pony-flying-deer thing. A statue of Discord, the Equestrian deity of chaos and disharmony. A small evil sounding chuckle was heard as a small crack appeared on the back side of Discord's head.

The guard pony in the security station looked up from his book, looked over into the chamber, and narrowed his eyes. "What in the?" He then pushed the comm button. "Hey, Kale. Ritz. I thought I head something inside the chamber."

"What?" One of the Pegasi looked back, chuckling. "You crazy, Durge? There isn't no pony in there now."

"I swear I heard something, guys..." The guard in the security station known as Durge started to sweat.

"Ugh ... Baby filly. C'mon Kale. Let's go check for monsters hiding under Discord."

Durge rolled his eyes as he pushed the button to open the doors. The two pegasi laughed as they crossed through.

"Anything suspicious?" Durge called out into the cell using the intercom.

"Nope. Nothing here." Kale said, poking the statue.

"Yeah Durge. Don't take him for 'granite'... Oh! Wait!"

Both pegasi burst out laughing. What they didn't notice is that where Kale had poked the statue, another thin crack appeared.

"Okay, ponies, haha, really funny. C'mon out..."

"Hahahah!" A laugh echoed around the cell, causing both Pegasi to stop laughing and gaze in horror at the statue as it started to crack even more. "I don't know about you, Durge, but I found that rather ... punny! Muhahaha!"

"Kale?" Ritz asked. "What-what did you do?"

"I think I broke him, man..." Kale muttered, shuddering.

"Hahaha! Au contraire! You've just made my return more humorous!"

The statue exploded in a shower of granite sparks, knocking the Pegasi back a good ten meters into the cell wall.

In the statue's place, stood the real Discord himself. Effortlessly bending the bars to the cage his statue was in, he stepped out and picked up both the dazed Pegasi by the throats. He bashed their heads together, and threw them against the wall. A sickening crack was heard as the two fell to the ground, motionless.

"OH CRUD!" Durge swore as he closed the security doors and pushed the alarm button. Instantly, red lights started flashing and an alarm started blaring.

"Aw...did you really need to do that now, Durge?" Discord's voice rang from behind him.

"What-UMPH!" In a shower of glass, Durge was flung through the magic-proof window and against the wall. Discord single-handed punched through the remaining security door and ripped it open. Laughing as he threw the door and Durge's corpse effortlessly aside, he bellowed:

"You failed Twilight Sparkle! The Elements of Harmony could not hold me! And now..." He cracked his knuckles as more guard ponies ran at him, swords in their mouths. "I'll have my revenge, and there isn’t a being in this world that will stand in my way."

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Meanwhile, the brainwashed Jet continues swinging his hook swords at Fire’ and Shining. “Jet, it's me, Shining Armor! You don't have to do this!”

“I'm afraid he no longer has a choice.” Long said as Jet continues to try to kill the two unicorns.

“Jet, I'm your friend! Look inside your heart!” Shining said.

“Do your duty, Jet!”

“He can't make you do this! You're a Freedom Fighter!” Fire’ said to Jet. With that, Jet has a rapid flashback of his past.

“Do it! Do it now!” Long Feng yelled at Jet. Jet then fires one of his swords, but instead of aiming it at Shining of Fire,’ he throws it at Long Feng instead, but it misses by a foot. He counters with a laser which strikes Jet down. Long then heads to an elevator. “Foolish boy. You have chosen your own demise.” The door then closes as Long gets away.

“I'm sorry ... guys.” The dying Jet said.

“Don't be.” Fire’ said as the rest of the group arrives, they are all struck with sorrow and shock. Agua goes up to Jet and tries her healing technique.

“This isn't good.” She said.

“You guys go and find Long Feng. We'll take care of Jet.”

“We're not going to leave you three, Smellerbee.” Twilight said to her.

“There's no time. Just go. We'll take care of him. He's our leader.” Longshot said in a light voice.

“Don't worry, Twilight. I'll be fine.” Jet said as team Avatar leaves.

Terra then walks up to Shining and says, “He's lying...” while Smellerbee stands over Jet, crying. Longshot stands guard, prepping an arrow just in case.

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Outside, Robtish arrives and sees some Dai Li agents waiting, some of them talking about the Avatars. “This must be the place.” He said. Team Avatar then comes put and finds all the Dai Li agents waiting for them.

“You think we can outrun them?”

“I don't think it's going to matter, Rainbow!” Fire’ said as a fight ensures. Soon they have some company, ponies who were in prisoned by the Dai Li. Long Feng sees this.

“Nows not the time. Dai Li, retreat!” He yelled as smoke grandees are thrown to the ground. After the smoke clears, the Dai Li are gone.

“Where did y’all come from?” Applejack asked.

“We were in theses cells when this Blue Spirit appeared and knocked out the guards. He then let us go and showed us the way out.” A mare with a yellow coat and an orange mane said.

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On the other side of the lake, Zuko and Iroh emerge from another entrance to the Dai Li headquarters. “You did the right thing, nephew.” Iroh said as Zuko looks at his Blue Spirit mask. “Leave it behind.” Zuko then tosses the mask into the water. He watches as it sinks to the bottom of the lake.

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“So,” Rainbow began, “whats next?” At that moment, Robtish appears to them on the hill.

“You had to ask.” Twilight said to her.

“A changeling!” Shining growled.

“Which one of you is the Fire Avatar?” Robtish asked them. Fire’ then steps forward, sword in hoof. “Ha. I heard that Queen Chrysalis knows that you can do something that she doesn't want you to do. So, she sen’t me to get ride of you. Sorry, not.” He then jumps down and prepares to fight, sword in ... uh ... whatever they call it. The Avatars soon prepare for battle while the main six, Shining, the CMC, Cadence, and the freed prisoners take shelter. A battle between the 4 Avatars and Robtish soon begins. After an intense fight, Robtish pulls out his ace, metaphorically speaking. “Sonic Shockwave!” He yelled as he used his magic to send a small sonic boom at Blitz and Agua, sending them flying. “Double Slash!” He said as he did two slashes at Terra and Fire.’ Fire’ manages to stay on his four hoofs, but Terra flies into a polder, knocking her out. “Oh. You a strong one, aren't you? Now I’m convinced you're a direct descendent of Star Swirl the Bearded.”

When Twilight heard Robtish say that, her mind is blown. “Firebrand is a descendent of Star Swirl the Bearded!” She thought to herself.

“Say good by.” Robtish said as he ran for Fire.’ But when he goes for the attack, another blade appears between them, along with its holder, Deker.

“What are you doing here?”

“Thats what I was going to ask. Deker, why are you here?” Robtish asked.

“I will not let you destroy the Fire Avatar, I must duel him.” Deker answered.

“Fine by me. I’ll get ride of both of you.” Robtish said as Fire’ grabs a sword with his magic and pulls it over.

“I’ll take you both on!” Fire’ said to the two. Deker and Robtish then swing their blades at him, but Fire’ blocks them using his two blades. “You both need to stand aside!” Fire’ said as all three both attack and block one of the others. Deker easily blocks both Robtish’s and Fire’s attacks while doing slashes of his own. Robtish blocks it.

“Thats it!” Robtish said to Firebrand. “Time to finish you off!”

Fire’ then takes both of his blades and he catches on fire along with the blades. “Nope. It’s time to get fired up!” He then slashes at the two changelings, causing explosions with each hit. Each time one of the two blades of his hits either Deker’s or Robtish’s blades, it causes a small sonic boom.

The main six, the CMC, Shining and Cadence help get the other Avatars up. Agua sees Firebrands’s power and remarks that, “It’s amazing. Where is he finding the strength to hold both of them off?”

“Remember how that new changeling said that Fire’ is a descendent of Star Swirl.” Twilight said to the group. “Maybe thats why Fire’ did a spell that protected him from the other changeling and how he's able to hold them off.” Soon the three come to a stand still. One of Fire’s blades is at Deker’s chest while the other is holding Robtish’s sword. Deker's Uramasa is at Robtish’s neck also.

“OK boys.” Fire’ said, breaking a few moments of silence. “Your move.” After a few moments of silence, with the only noise from the three is a growl from Robtish and a laugh from Deker.

Robtish then backs down. “You both in luck. I’m drying out.” He said as he loses his color and begins to crack up. “Queen Chrysalis won’t be happy about this.” He snarled at Deker as he disappears in a puff of smoke. Deker and Fire’ then back off as well, with Fire’ returning to his normal form.

“He’ll be back.” Fire’ said. He then turns to Deker. “Why did you help me?”

“My only desire is to find somepony skilled enough to be my opponent.” Deker answered as he resumes his fighting stance. “Somepony worthy to clash with my sword, Uramasa.” Fire’ then resumes his fighting stance as well. The others stare at the two, with Twilight virtually petrified.

“Firebrand! Don’t fight him!” Blitz yelled as Fire’ and Deker move sideways. The two soon run to a boulder, clashing their blades at each other. Deker then hits Fire’ on his shoulder, making Fire’ drop his borrowed sword as he falls back to the border.

“NO!”Twilight said as she runs up to him.

“Twilight! Get back here!” Shining said to his little sister. But she just ignored him, too worried about Firebrand. She then reaches his side to see if Fire’ is okay. His shoulder is slightly bleeding but its nothing too serious.

“Hum.” Deker said as Twilight sees if Fire’ is okay. “That was too easy.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked the white changeling, worried that he was going to do something far worse to Firebrand.

“This isn’t the battle I want.” Deker said as he approaches the couple. “Robtish’s Double Slash took too much out of you.” He then points Uramasa at Fire’s neck. “Uramasa and I wont be satisfied unless you're at your peak. Next time, you will taste this slash.” Twilight and Fire’ get out-of-the-way when Deker slices at boulder. They then see that it was cut clear in half. “Now go. You’ll need to be at full strength to even have a chance against me.” He then flies up to the cliff and returns to his pony form. “Fire Avatar, you will satisfy my hunger. You will give met the battle I've desired for centuries. So for now I will leave you be, until you are again at your best. Then we will duel.”

The others soon arrive to see if Twilight and Fire’ are all right. Pinkie then takes a look at Deker and remembers seeing him before. “Wait.” Pinkie said as the others turn to her. “Is that the weird dude from when Shining was under that other changeling's control?”

“Yes, it is him.” Rarity said.

Scootaloo then moves a bit closer to Deker. “Hey! What are you anyway? Are you a changeling?” Deker then turns his head to face the group.

“I am Deker. Nothing more and nothing less.” He then leaves.

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

After the gang get the prisoners back to their homes, they discuss what to do next. “Look,” Fire’ began, “we escaped from the Dai Li. We freed their prisoners. I'm telling you, we should go to the King now and tell him whats going on.

“What makes you think we'll get it?” Terra said to him. “I don't know if you've noticed, but things don't usually go that smoothly for our little gang.”

“I know, but I've got a good feeling about this. This time will be different.”

“Fire,’” Agua began, “Long Feng is in control of the city. His conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep heading to the Himalayas and leave this horrible place behind us.”

“I'm with Sweetness.” Terra said. “I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se. And I can't even see!”

“Look, there's nothing stopping us from telling the King the truth. About the conspiracy and the War.” Twilight said to the two.

“See? Twilight's with me. It's the reason we came here in the first place. We have to try.”

“Well,” Blitz began, “I guess if the King knew the truth, things could change.

“I don't trust the new positive Blitz.” Terra said as she points her hoof at him. “Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he!?”

Fire’ then notices a few ships in the lake. “That's probably the Dai Li searching for us. So? Let's fly!” Fire’ said as he, Agua, Terra, and Blitz go elemental and pick up the ones who can’t fly.

They fly toward the Palace, with the others holding on for dear life. They soon get closer to the palace. “There it is! That whole thing is the palace! The King’s chamber should be in the center!” Twilight said to the others.

“We have to be careful.” Fire’ said. “Long Feng's probably warned the king that we're coming.”

“Why would you assume that?” Rainbow said to him. “If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in and-” Befor she could finished, a missile almost hits them. “Aahh!

“What was that!?” Terra said.

“Surface-to-Air Missiles! More incoming!” Blitz said as they dodge a few more rocks. One gets launched right at Agua, but she destroys it with some highly pressurized water. Another launches at them head on and Fire’ destroys it with his sword. He then launches himself and Twilight to the front of the palace and uses firebending to knock back the palace guards. As they continue toward the King, more guards appear and launch grenades at the gang. Terra uses earthbending to block the attacks while Blitz uses lightningbending to subdue the guards.

Agua then water-whips two guards. “Sorry!” She then turns around and hits a few more guards. More guards come and Terra uses earthbending to flip the tiles they're walking over to trap the guards. They run past them.

“Sorry! We just need to get through to see the King!” Fluttershy said to the unconscious guards.

More guards appear on the opposite end of a bridge and launch two rockets at them. Terra create an earth igloo to block the rockets. Agua creates an ice ramp to jump to the other side of the bridge and water-whips the guards into the water. She then freezes them in the water as the rest all jump across. More surface-to-air missiles appear as guards are coming down a giant staircase. Terra uses earthbending to change the stairs into a ramp, causing them all to fall. She then uses earthbending to escalate themselves up the stairs.

“Seriously,” Applejack said to them, “we're actually on your guys' side! Sorry.” More guards come and Terra pushes them away with earthbending.

“In there!” Shining pointed to a door said. The then make their way inside. They come to an area with 3 doors. More guards appear and Terra easily defeats them all.

“Terra, which way to the King?”

“How should I know, Blitz? I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se.” Terra defeats more guards while Blitz searches the doors for the King. He eventually stumbles upon a mare's dressing room, which causes the mare to faint.

He then shuts the door. “Sorry. Wrong door.”

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

Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh return from Ba Sing Se. The former seems ill. “You did the right thing. Letting the Dai Li's prisoners go free.”

“I don't feel right.” He then gets dizzy and passes out.

“Zuko!” Iroh then rushes over to him.

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

Back at the palace, the team arrives at a pile of rubble. Fire’ climbs atop it and sees a gigantic door. “Now that's an impressive door. It's gotta go somewhere.” He then drops down from the rubble and attempts to kick the door open. The door does not move even slightly. Fire’ then starts pushing it open, but to no avail. Terra jumps in from behind and bust the door down, knocking Fire’ forward in the process. He starts rubbing the back of his head. “A little warning next time?!”

They arrive in the King's chamber with Ku sitting in his throne. Long Feng and his Dai Li agents stand in their way. The team take fighting stances against them.

“We need to talk to you.” Fire’ said to the king.

“They're here to overthrow you.” Long Feng said to the king.

“No, we're on your side. We're here to help.” Twilight said.

“You have to trust us.” Agua said.

The king then stands up. “You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my fancy door, and you expect me to trust you?”

“He has a good point.” Terra said to them.

“If you are on my side, then drop your weapons and stand down!” The king said to them. They look at each other for a moment. Fire’ drops his staff, along with Agua’s trident, Terra’s scythe, and Blitz’s nun-chucks.

“See? We're friends, your Kinginess.” Pinkie said to the king, who says nothing. Long Feng then signals the Dai Li to cuff their legs.

“Detain the assailants!” He said. The Dai Li then rush to behind Team Avatar.

“But, they dropped there weapons. We're your allies.” Rainbow said to them.

“Make sure the Avatars and their friends never see daylight again.” Long Feng said, only to realize his mistake and looks at the king, who looks at him shocked.

“The Avatars?” He then points at Rainbow. “You're one of the Avatars?”

“Uh, no.” Rainbow said. She then points to Firebrand, Agua, Terra, and Blitz. “Them.

Fire’ then melts his cuffs and raises one of his hoofs. “Over here.”

“What does it matter, your Highness?” Long Feng said. “They're enemies of the state.”

“Perhaps you're right.” The king said. He then sees his bear sniff and lick Fire’ and smiles at Long Feng. “Though Bosco seems to like him. I'll hear what they have to say.

Fire’ then walks forward. “Well, sir, there's a war going on now. For the past few years in fact. The Dai Li's kept it secret from you. It's a conspiracy to control the city, and to control you.”

“A secret war? That's crazy!” The king said.

“Completely!” Long Feng also said.

“Long Feng didn't want anypony to tell you, so he in-prisoned innocent Geo Firma ponies and blackmailed their families. And blackmail is the least of his crimes; he brainwashed our friend!” Fire’ said.

Long Feng quickly turns to face his king. “All lies.”

“Your claim is difficult to believe. Even from an Avatar.” The king said.

Long Feng then whispers in his ear, “These hooligans are part of an anarchist cell that my agents have been tracking for weeks. If you listen to them, you're playing right into your own destruction.”

The King then. “I have to trust my advisor. So, unless you can prove he’s lying, I won’t believe you.” Fire’ then thinks for a moment.

“We won’t be able to get back to the Dai Li’s secret base. Also we won’t be able to find the prisoners again, assuming the Dai Li hasn't recaptured them.” Fire’ then remembers the drill at the outer wall. “Thats it! Theres no way they can cover that up.” Fire’ then turns to the king again. “If you come with us to the Outer Wall, we can prove to you that the secret war is real.”

“No Geo Firma King has ever been to the Outer Wall. I don't have anymore time for this nonsense.” The King firmly said.

“If you come with us,” Fire’ said as he points to Rainbow, “this time you can ride on Rainbow Dash.” The King (who's a unicorn) smiles, while Rainbow makes a ‘Say what?’ expression.

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

Back in Iroh and Zuko's apartment, Zuko is asleep, but he wakes up. “ You're burning up.” Iroh said as he dips a cloth in water. “You have an intense fever.” He then places the cloth on Zuko's forehead. “This will help cool you down.”

“So thirsty.” Zuko said as he sits up, but Iroh makes him lay back down.

He then grabs a bucket with a spoon in it and takes out the spoon. “Here's some clean water to drink. Stay under the blankets and sweat this out.

Zuko grabs the spoon from Iroh and drinks the water. He tosses the spoon aside and grabs the bucket. He drinks from it, while spilling some out. He then tosses the bucket aside and lies back down. Iroh pulls the covers more over him.

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

Meanwhile, en route to the Outer Wall, the King is riding on Rainbow, holding on for dear life and screaming at the top of his lungs in fear. “First time flying?” Terra asked him.

“It's both thrilling and terrifying!”

“Yeah. I hate it too.”

“I have to be honest with you: part of me really hopes that what you're telling me about this war isn't true.” The king said as they slow down a little.

“I wish it wasn't.” Fire’ said to the king.

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

Meanwhile at Zuko and Iroh's apartment, Zuko is having a dream that he is the Fire Lord, with no scar on his eye. One red and one blue dragon appear and start circling around the pillars on each side of him. The blue dragon starts circling around Zuko. In Azula's voice, the blue dragon says that “It's getting late. Are you planning to retire soon, my lord?”

“I'm not tired.”

“Relax, Fire Lord Zuko. Just let go. Give in to it. Shut your eyes for a while.” Zuko starts to shut his eyes but widely opens them upon hearing the other dragon, who has Iroh’s voice.

Don't, Fire Lord Zuko! Do not listen to the blue dragon. You should get out of here now. Go! Before it's too late!

“Sleep now, Fire Lord Zuko.” The blue dragon said as they disappear, and the room they're in, as well as the guards watching Zuko, crumble to nothing. The blue dragon then reappears in front of him. “Sleep. Just like mother.” It then charges at Zuko and opens its mouth. Inside the dragon's mouth, Zuko sees his mother, Ursa.

“Zuko! Help me!” Zuko then disappears through the floor. The sleeping Zuko begins to sweat.

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

Meanwhile, Team Avatar arrives at the Outer Wall with the king, who sees the drill. Fire’ then points to it. “It's still there!”

“What is that?” The king asked, shocked.

“It's a drill. A giant drill made by the Fire Nation to break through your walls.” Blitz said as the king looks horrified.

“I can't believe I never knew.” The king said, still shocked.

Long Feng then appears on an elevator with two Dai Li agents. “I can explain this, your Majesty. This is nothing more than ... a construction project.”

“Really?” Agua began. “Then perhaps you could explain why there's a Fire Nation insignia on your ‘construction project.’

Long Feng then looks at the king, who is looking at him suspiciously. “Well, it's imported of course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery. Surely you don't believe these foals over your most loyal attendant?”

The King looks at Team Avatar and then at Long Feng. “Dai Li! Arrest Long Feng! I want him to stand trial for crimes against Geo Firma.”

Long Feng and Team Avatar look shocked at the king. The two agents behind Long Feng share glances and shackle Long and pull him in. “You can't arrest me! You all need me more than you know!” He yelled as he's taken away.

Fire,’ with a happy look on his face says, “Looks like Long Feng is Long Gone!” The others then stare at him. “Yeah, I've been waiting to use that one.”

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

That night at the Palace, the King is talking with Team Avatar. “I want to thank you, young heroes, for opening my eyes. All this time, what I thought was a great metropolis was merely a city of fools. And that makes me the king fools. We're at war. With the Fire Nation.”

“That's why we came to Ba Sing Se, your Highness.” Twilight said to him. Princess Celestia wants you to help us end the war.”

The King then thinks for a moment. “Very well. You have my support.” Team Avatar then celebrates, with Pinkie suggesting a ‘We-Saved-the-King-of-Geo-Firma-and-now-he’s-going-to-help-us-party.’ Just then, somepony else arrives. His name is General How.

“Your Majesty.” He said as he walks up to Team Avatar and bows to the king. “I apologize for the interruption.”

“This is General How. He's the leader of the Council of Five, my highest ranking generals.” He said to Team Avatar.

“We searched Long Feng's office. I think we found something that will interest everypony.” A unicorn solider arrives carrying a box with his magic. “There are secret files on everypony in Ba Sing Se. Including you kids.”

“Secret files?” Fire’ asked with curiosity.

The King takes out a scroll and reads the side. “‘Terra Beifong.’” He then hoofs the scroll to General How, who gives it to Terra, who lets Twilight take it and read it.

“It's a letter from your brother.” Terra's eyes then widen with shock.

“Long Feng intercepted our letters from home?” She said as shakes her head. “That's just sad.” Another solider then arrives with a scroll and gives it to the Avatars. Fire’ uses his magic to open it and when he reads it, he is utterly shock.

“What is it, Fire’?” Twilight said to him.

“I can't believe it. There's a stallion living at the Eastern Air Temple. He says he's a guru.”

“What's a guru? Some kind of poisonous blowfish?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“No, Sweetie. A spiritual expert. He wants to help us take the next step in the Avatar journey. He says he can teach us to better to control the Avatar State. It even says that he’ll tell us where the remaining Elements of Nature are at!”

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

Meanwhile at Iroh and Zuko's apartment, Iroh is some pouring tea. “You should know that this is not a natural sickness, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea.” He said as he feeds Zuko the tea.

“What's happening?” Zuko manage to say.

“Your critical decision. What you did beneath that lake. It was in such conflict with your image of yourself that you are now at war within your own mind and body.” Iroh then feeds Zuko some more tea.

“What's that mean?” Zuko then coughs continuously and lies down.

“You are going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it, you will be the beautiful prince you were always meant to be.” Soon, Iroh and Zuko are asleep. Zuko then wakes up and walks to the kitchen. He then washes his face with water. When he looks in the mirror, he sees himself with no scar, a flame red coat, and a mane thats like Spitfire’s, Zuko looks just like Firebrand. He also looks horrified. He then screams himself awake and breathes heavily. He touches the scar on his face and closes his eyes.

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

In a prison, Long Feng is sitting in his cell. A Dai Li agent appears outside of the cell. The agent then slides a tray of food underneath the door. “Dinner.” Long Feng then grabs some food. “The Council of Five and the Military are loyal to the King, but the Dai Li remains loyal to you, Long Feng, sir.” He then walks away as Long Feng eats his food while smiling sinisterly.

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

Back at the palace, as Fire’ and the other Avatars prepare to leave, three Kyoshi Warriors are walking up to the king and bow.
“In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi Warriors!” The warriors then look up.
“We are the Earth King's humble servants.” The middle warrior said. She has gold eyes, showing that it is really Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee disguised as Kyoshi Warriors, whom they have previously defeated.