Avatar: Reborn in Ice

There are few things I can know with certainty these days. My presence here alone has brought many changes, small as they might be. I think that it might be time for a larger change than I am capable of on my own.

Thankfully, I have just the person in mind.

...

I know where he is and roughly understand his motivations. The problem is that he isn't the kind to listen to 'Could you possibly bide your time to retake your city in an efficient and productive manner to the Avatar's cause?'. Perhaps I'll get further with 'That metal box can't be comfortable. Do you really want to have to sit in your own excrements until the time is right?'. It would persuade me.

King Bumi, as most would agree, is first and foremost insane. He is also a genius the likes of which only Toph outstrips. He clearly has values the Avatar can get behind. More importantly, he is a known leader to the people. His decision to let the Fire Nation take Omashu was designed to be the one with the least casualties. Had he surrendered to Azula, I'm sure she would not have been nearly as civil about it as Mai's father was. I also know he helped Iroh retake Ba Sing Se.

That's another change I'd like to make. If these two cities, Omashu and Ba Sing Se, were the only bastions of the Earth Kingdom's strength, why not form another more formidable one? There are plenty of earthbenders in the camp to build an entire fortress within weeks. Why not choose a strategically sound stretch of land with access to sea through either underwater tunnels or a river and build a city. A city erected entirely for the purpose of a revolution.

Now, this isn't supposed to become a delusion of grandeur. It is meant to be a symbol of hope and freedom. Fight for it if you want, be a farmer if you don't. Open a bleeding tea shop, if you're into that.

My largest obstacle to this are the resources we lack. The trade routes that would need to be established are another problem. So we start small. I have no intentions of overreaching. That could be worse than scattering the fighters.

"Does he always get this vacant expression?", the earthbender I ordered around asks, a slightly worried note in his voice.

"Kind of", Sokka replies, glancing at me with an odd glint in his eyes.

"No, definitely", Katara says. Ouch. And here I was, thinking I might be making some progress with her. "But he only looks that way to appear harmless."

Hearing that warms my heart, truly.

The earthbender shudders, "Ah, yes. I recall the way those men suddenly began choking. I'm sure he could have done much worse than that."

"He has", Katara mutters darkly.

"He also saved our lives on multiple occasions", Sokka throws in like the loyal person he is.

"He bended their spit, Sokka! Who even thinks of something like that?"

Someone creative, dear Katara. It's not like it's very tricky with the basic knowledge of anatomy that I have. That she has. Is she aware how dangerous benders are?

Because it's not only me who can do that. Aang could stop the air flowing through someone's windpipe if he were so inclined. I'm not entirely sure about this, but I think there's a possibility that firebenders could remove all body heat from someone they touch, or boil them alive. And earthbenders… the human body is carbon-based, isn't it? If a bender can manage to decompose earth at it's base, maybe they could do the same to a human body.

"Ah, but you can't deny it wasn't effective", the earthbender throws in, in an unexpected show of support. Must've been a soldier for a while, then.

I hum quietly and blink my eyes owlishly, as if awaking from a daydream. I turn to Sokka, "Sokka. What would be the most strategically sound place for a base of operations for resistance fighters? Consider trade routes, access and visibility. Don't worry about the lack of other buildings or previous inhabitants. The terrain can be altered."

Instead of questioning me he puts his thinking face on. I suppose he knows that Katara's expression means he won't have to. I sigh in her direction, shift the sleeping kid around a little and shrug. "As you know, I am travelling with you guys because it's convenient and the Avatar needs a teacher", I hold my hand up to stop any arguments, "Well, it turns out, as of tomorrow, it'll be more convenient for my plans to leave you to it. And Aang has you to teach him all the katas he was too bored with to learn. Now all you guys have to do is get creative. I, on the other hand, intend to see if I can't help out the resistance fighters here."

Her mouth snaps shut. Her eyes flicker all over my face. Then she sets her chin determinedly.

"Teach me."

I furrow my brow. "You're your own master, Katara."

"You-", she begins, cuts herself off, takes a deep breath and stares at me with determined focus, "Teach me the way you think."

"Ah", I say and smile at her without condescension. "To think like me, you would need to come to a great many conclusions about possibility."

"Possibility?", she repeats.

"Yes. What are the limits, Katara? What are the boundaries you have set yourself not to cross, and which are the boundaries society has made you believe? Where is the end to the possibilities?"

"Metalbending", the earthbender answers immediately.

I nod at him, "Yes, your fellow benders have made you believe it is impossible, and so, for you, it is. Other limits are societal ones. There are things I could do as a man that you would never even consider as a woman. Then physical laws. Aang defies gravity every day. With the right invention, you could, too."

Silence, then, "The key to creativity, Katara, is inspiration. A thought that spirals into possibility. Keep your eyes open. You might find inspiration in the most unlikely of faces."

"Faces?", she repeats again.

I smile wanly, "Or other body parts, if you're into that."

She blushes heavily.

"Or places", the earthbender adds, stonecold. He and I will be good friends.

I nod at him, "Those, too."

"Speaking of places", Sokka re-joins the conversation, "You know Full Moon Bay?"

I give a nod. Yes, the map detailed the place, but it's so close to Ba Sing Se that I'm not sure I like it. And isn't that where all the refugees cross over to the city?

"Anywhere in the area around it should be fine, so long as whatever you build is hidden from sight. And if you can tunnel through to the other side, that river that flows by the mountains of Omashu gives you easy access to the open sea. Disguised as Fire Nation it should be no problem to get past the battlements."

He's not wrong. He's actually very right. What would it take for me to make our ships look like regular patrols? What would it take to keep suspicious eyes away?

Is it possible to sway soldiers and citizens to our side even now? What is stronger than a century of propaganda? Omashu is a tricky terrain for a first start to begin with. The soldiers have just taken a city. This little incident today will show them that when they do not know to make use of their own home advantage, they will get their noses bloodied. But I'm sure they have something planned. I am fairly certain that if they haven't attacked the camp by now, they will be in position to take the resistance forces out as soon as they move.

So, why not take the city?

Why not have the resistance fighters return through the front gates?

"Sokka. Katara", I say and look at each of them, then I turn to the earthbender with a grin, "And you."

"My name is O-Ting", he introduces. I shake his hand, "Kaito." We nod at each other, both not men of many words where they are unnecessary.

I rub my hands together. I have a feeling I would look more menacing without the baby strapped to my chest. "We are going to liberate Omashu. Today."

"WHAT?", Katara shouts. I didn't stutter, did I?

...

Don't forget to throw some power stones :)

...

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