Chapter Text
“Omasu!” Grian bounded, getting ready to take off on his glider before Pearl stopped him.
“Yeah, no,” Pearl scolded, “One, we are literally the last of the known airbenders. Two, you are wanted by the Fire Nation and probably some very Fire Nation-loving rulers, and three, we are banned from Omashu.”
“What.” Gem deadpanned, “Why are we here then?!”
“BigB’s an earthbender. By now, he must be pretty good at it. Plus, we need supplies. He might be able to help us on our journey,” Pearl explained calmly.
“Why are you banned?”
“I may or may not have runned over a cabbage cart,” Grian pouted, “That guy was way too sensitive.”
“Here,” Pearl tossed her brother a brownish green headband, “To hide your arrow. And wear this shawl.”
Grian grumbled as he put them on. Pearl smiled at Grian as she put her own headband on.
“Gem?”
“Yeah?” the waterbender answered.
“Put this on.” Pearl threw Gem a shawl, the coloring matching Grian’s headband.
“I’m not wanted or banned.”
“But you stand out. It’s not often someone wears Water Tribe furs outside the water tribe.”
Gem grumbled, “It’s cold.”
“Tilly. Xelqua,” Pearl said while putting on her own disguise, “Stay hidden. Especially you, Til.”
Tilly grunted in agreement, hiding behind a small bush. Xelqua, looking at the bigger animal, copied with a leaf.
“They’ll be fine,” Grian shrugged, taking off, “Come on.”
Taking out his glider, Grian flew down the hill. Pearl grumbled, telling Gem to hold on, as she and her cargo took off.
A large bridge seperated Omashu from the outside. An entrance, flanked by guards, was the only way in for walking folks.
Something they would pretend to be.
Grian got off his glider and ran up to the gate, greeting a guard.
“Hello, old sport,” Grian beamed at the guard, “Would you mind if we saw your beautiful home in which we are to visit and stay in, hmmm?”
Gem giggled as she and Pearl ran towards the Avatar.
“Ignore my brother. He’s insane. We’ll check him out in one of the healing places.”
“Hold it,” The guard threw his hand out in front of them, “No outsiders.”
“What?” Pearl asked, “Last time, we-”
“Last time? Omashu hasn’t been open to visitors for two years. Ever since the Fire Nation attempted to takeover.”
“Damn hotheads,” Gem cursed under her breath.
“There must be a way for us to get in,” Pearl pleaded.
“Unless you have a good reason, no entry-”
“They’re with me.”
The group turned around to see a man there age, covered with scars, particularly a huge one across his face. Despite his grizzled appearance, the man had a huge smile on his face. His green eyes shone and his brown hair nodded with the wind. The only thing stopping his hair from flailing wildly was his hat, a hat that Gem knew well. A beanie wearing a Water Tribe sigil, though the colors were brown and green.
A cat flanked his side, and then Gem noticed his cane. He was leaning against an old, kinda rickety, cane, helping him stay up.
Gem turned to Pearl and Grian. They looked just as confused as Gem felt.
The guard eyes widened, however.
“U-um, Scar,” The guard stammered, “You- these are yours?”
“Indeed!” The man, Scar, grinned, “Meet Jane, John, and Marybelle Pippenopolous! My new servants. I was wondering when you three would arrive!”
Pearl and Grian stared at the man, still confused. But at this point, Gem knew what he was playing.
“Mr. Scar! Thank god! Gr- John hit his head and is a little…” Gem did the cuckoo sign.
Scar eyes lighted up as he realized they would play along, “Not my favorite!”
Scar ran up to Grian. Overshadowing Grian by a lot, the scarred man hugged the Avatar.
“My poor baby,” Scar sniffled.
Grian, despite his surprise, continued the act, “When did the sky become purple, Mr. Scar?”
Scar looked up at the guard with puppy dog eyes, “Please, sir, let my servants in. This one won’t last much longer.”
“Since when did I have this crazy thing?” Grian held up his hand and then smacked himself, “Wap.”
The guard looked concerned, “I- I can’t. The king-”
Scar sighed, “Please. I would hate if… something bad happened…”
The guard sucked in his breath. He nodded, stepping aside.
“Thanks,” Scar smiled, “C’mon, Johnny boy! Let’s get you help!”
“Where do babies come from, Mr. Scar?”
“Hoo boy! You are out of it.”
Pearl and Gem walked behind them. Pearl, who didn’t talk that entire time, stared at Scar.
Once the guard wasn’t looking, Scar pushed them into a small alleyway.
“Woo! That was fun!” Scar grinned at Grian, “You are funny!”
Grian smirked, proud of himself, “So I’ve heard!”
“Um,” Pearl interrupted, “I hate to break this up, but who are you?”
Scar smacked himself, “How rude. I’m Scar Goodtimes!” He bowed.
“I’m Grian, my sister is Pearl, and the redhead is Gem!”
“How did that guard let us go?” Gem asked.
Scar grinned, “I scared him!”
“No offense,” Grian said, “But you aren’t really… scary.”
“None taken. But the guard thinks I know his secret.”
“What’s the secret?”
“I dunno. But I’m a great actor. And involved in some gangs…”
Pearl’s eyes widened, “What-”
“Eh, normal Omashu shenanigans!”
Gem giggled as Pearl rolled her eyes, “Well, as amazing as this has been, we need to find someone.”
“Who?”
Grian smiled, “My friend!”
“Maybe I can help! I know everything about everyone.”
Pearl deadpanned, “Except that guy’s secret.”
“Except that guy’s secret!”
“Do you know BigB?”
Scar’s grin fell fast, “You- your friend is BigB?”
Grian nodded, “So you know him!”
Scar looked at him as if he was crazy, “I mean, everyone does. He’s the freaking king.”
Gem gapped, “Why didn’t you mention this?”
Pearl looked outraged, “I didn’t even know! Grian!?”
Grian thought for a moment, “He did mention he was royalty…”
Scar laughed, “You guys are fun.”
Pearl groaned, “How are we going to see BigB if he lives in a castle!”
Scar beamed, an often occurrence to him, “I know a way in!”
Grian smiled, but Pearl interrupted him before he could speak, “Why… Why are you helping us?”
Scar shrugged, “Boredom. Because I want to. And because I’m interested in what two airbenders are doing with a waterbender in Omashu.”
Gem and Grian eyes widened as Pearl shoved Scar to the wall, snarling, “How?”
“How what?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Gem said worriedly, “Tell us the truth. Now.”
“The truth is that Johnny has a blue tattoo on the back of his neck. It was a total guess as to if he was actually one or not. AND since you’re his sister… well, two and two come together.”
“And Gem being a waterbender?”
Scar laughed, shrugging, “Again! Total guess! She’s Water Tribe, and she's with some of the last airbenders, so… I’d figure you would be their guard or something. And what kind of guard doesn’t have a weapon. A bender!”
The three benders looked at the man.
“You are,” Pearl hesitated, “Really smart.”
“I don’t seem like it, but there is a reason I know everything about everything.”
Pearl let Scar go, “Can you keep this between the four of us?”
Scar’s face went solemn, “Believe me, you guys are bigger than gold. If the Fire Nation got you…” He shuddered, “You’re safe with me.”
Grian smiled, “See, Pearl! Nothing to worry about.”
“Now,” Scar clapped his hands, “Let’s get into the palace.”
“Nope,” Gem argued, “Nope. Nope. Noooo.”
The four were near the palace, more specifically the sewer.
“Aw, a little scared of water?” Pearl smirked.
“Water that smells like vomit, yes.”
Scar chimed in, “It’s a lot worse than it smells!”
“Great,” Gem groaned.
“Last one in is a stinky bison!” Grian smiled.
“A clean bison,” Pearl added.
The siblings ran in, hollering. Gem inched back.
“Maybe I’ll wait here.”
“C’mon,” Scar gave her a reassuring smile, “It’s safe and I can lend you clean clothes when we’re done.”
Gem hesitated, before sighing, “Fine. But only if I get fresh clothes!”
Gem carefully dipped into the sewer. The rancid water went up to her knees, ruining her boots.
Scar, less careful than the Waterbender, plopped in and splashed Gem.
“Hey!”
“Fresh clothes, my dear, fresh clothes.”
Gem grumbled as they walked towards the shouting of the twins. Gem was trying to bend the water out of her hair when Scar spoke up.
“How did you come to be with the Avatar?”
Gem shrugged, “They needed help and I offered it.”
Scar stared into her eyes, green meeting blue.
“Bull,” Scar simply stated, “You have a reason.”
“Perceptive, aren’t you?”
“It’s a gift.”
Gem clutched her necklace, “My… I’m the last Southern Water Bender.”
“You’re Southern?”
Gem nodded. Scar furrowed his brow, “But… aren't there no more Waterbenders in the South Pole?”
Gem huffed, remnant of a laugh, “My mother was one. And I’m one.”
Scar stared at her before nodding slowly, “So what happened?”
“My mother was taken. Probably killed. I was raised by my grandmother and, about a week ago, I lost her too,” Scar’s eyes widened but he remained quiet to let Gem continue, “The Fire Nation came for a flower, one made of ice, said to be the key to healing heat related illness. But they also came…”
Gem turned her gaze away, tears welling. A hand rested on her shoulder, and Gem turned to see Scar giving her a reassuring smile.
Despite just meeting him, something about the scarred man made her trust him.
“They came for me. The last Waterbender. My Gran-Gran, she said it was her. To protect me. She was killed by an Earthbender.”
“An Earthbender?” Scar questioned.
Gem nodded, “Yeah. He wore Fire Army armor and he didn’t have shoes on. He also was downcasted, with cloudy green eyes.”
Scar stiffened, but Gem kept going, “I would say he is blind, but he knew where everything- everyone- was. He killed her so quickly. And I just stood there.”
Scar looked like he wanted to say something, but he choked down his words as he looked at Gem.
“I-” Gem stifled a sob, “I stood there as my brother was taken.”
Scar swallowed, “You… you think you need to avenge your Gran-Gran and your brother?”
“Not just them,” Gem’s eyes hardened, “Everyone that the Fire Nation wronged. I…” Gem sighed, “I just want my family back.”
Scar smiled, “You’ll get them back. Your friends care about you and you’re a waterbender.”
Gem snorted, “Not a very strong one.”
“So? Waterbending, like all skills, comes with age and time. Besides, It shouldn’t be all on you. It’s a huge burden, so big that everyone needs to pitch in to lift it high into the sky.”
Gem smiled, though not genuinely, “Thanks, Scar. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
Before he could reply, shouting from the Twins beat him to it.
Gem, feeling a headache coming on, pinched the bridge of her nose, before falling the voices. Scar followed in pursuit.
“There’s no way you can tell it’s him.”
“I’m telling you, Pearl, he’s up there.”
Grian pointed to a pothole cover, with soft light pouring through the holes on top.
Pearl placed her hands on her hips, “How can you tell?”
“My nose.”
“Spirits, we’re dead-”
“BigB smells like cookies! That is a cookie smell! And… poop. But I think that’s not him.”
“It’s probably your head, shit for brains!” Pearl screeched.
Gem intercepted the two, “Guys, we can’t fight. Not right now, anyway. Scar, where is this?”
Scar stared at the hole, thinking. His face was tense in concentration. Then he sniffed.
“The Castle.”
“I KNEW IT!”
Pearl grimaced over how loud Grian screamed that, “Good job, dingus.”
Pearl got into an airbending stance, funneling air into a ball, then pushing the air towards the covering of the pothole. The cover popped out of view, followed by a crash.
Grian pushed himself out of the sewer first. Pearl, shaking her head, picked Scar up, much to his dismay, and hopped out. Gem, reluctantly, followed by bending the foul-stench water towards the top.
As she emerged, she saw a small group of people, wearing hairnets and chef hats, standing in one corner of the room. Gem looked around to realize they were in a bakery.
“Hmmm…” Grian mused, “Well, that explains why I smelled cookies.”
Pearl glared at him as Gem turned to Scar, “You sure this is the place.”
Scar nodded, “Positive. They are the royal bakers.”
“Royal bakers?”
“Grian’s not wrong; the king loves his cookies.” Scar then turned to the bakers, smiling, “Hel-lo!”
“S-Scar?” One of the bakers tentatively walked forward, “Who are those people?”
“Friends,” Grian proclaimed at the same time as Scar’s comment, “Sacrifices.”
Pearl glared at Scar, before turning to the bakers, “We need to speak to your King. It’s urgent, so we couldn’t wait for a scheduled appointment with him.”
The lead baker, with a hesitant glance at Scar, nodded, “Scar knows the way. Cause no trouble.”
“Thanks, Mika! C’mon! The ritual must be completed before Koh arises!”
“Scar, I’m going to kill you.”
“Aww, Pearly, that sounds like friendship!”
The three followed Scar to the throne room. Their march was unusually quiet, broken only when Scar would wave and say hi to the servants as they passed. The servants, in turn, waved back at Scar.
Occasionally one would tell him not to go here or over there or take the long way or trouble is that way.
Scar, at these interactions, would nod his head in gratitude and proceed to follow the servants advice.
The castle was huge. It felt more like a maze than a living facility. However, Gem did note, this felt less like a castle for royalty and more a castle for people. It looked lived in and like someone would use all this stuff.
Artifacts? Touched and admired. Weapons? Dented and worn. Armor? Damaged beyond repair.
Eventually, Scar managed to find the throne room. They entered a huge room, walls leading up at least a hundred feet in the air, holding a ceiling made of glass panes. The glass was arranged to be tinted like a densely populated forest. It filled the room with a pleasant green tint.
On the far side of the entrance sat a man Gem presumed to be BigB. He wore a crown on top of his curly hair, his dark skin made for a nice contrast to his amber eyes.
Gem wanted to do something to acknowledge the majesty before her, but noticed no one else was bowing.
Instead, Grian bonded up towards his friend.
“BigB!”
BigB stood there, eyes wide, then raced over to Grian. He swept Grian into a tight squeeze, despite the glares they received from the king’s advisors.
“Grian,” his voice trembled, “Pearl… I thought you were- everyone else-”
Pearl nodded, “We escaped before the Fire Nation attacked. Our mentors…” Pearl’s voice faded away.
BigB took a step back, “I thought we would have to wait for the next Avatar to emerge. That we would wait ten more years at least before this Avatar was even known. But you-”
“Ahem,” an advisor, a lanky older man whose face appeared to crease with his permanent scowl, “My king, may we have an introduction to who these… interrupters are?”
BigB composed himself, “Of course. Leno, meet Grian and Pearl. Grian was a friend of mine before… a-and Pearl is his sister. They are air nomads.”
Leno raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t Airbenders extinct? Or are they playing dress-up?”
Grian growled as BigB calmly replied, “They are indeed Airbenders. I don’t know who the girl is.”
“Um, I’m Gem…” Gem said, “And that’s…” turning to Scar, or where Scar was at least. He was not in the room and didn't make his exit known, “Gem. From the Southern Water Tribe.”
“Interesting company,” Leno sniffed, “I am Grand Advisor Leno Hanang, descended by all the great advisors of the Ralan Dynasty.”
“Leave us.”
Leno’s eyes went wide, “Excuse me?”
“This is a matter between friends,” BigB said, “And wise as you are, friends you are not. Leave us. All of you.”
Leno hesitated, before bowing, “Yes, your majesty.” He, along with the rest of the advisors, left.
Once it was clear they were alone, BigB smiled, “You can come out, Scar. They’re not here.”
“aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!”
Starting at the ceiling and ending in front of the king, Scar crashed into Grian.
“Big-man…” Scar coughed out. Getting up, Scar went to help Grian, who looked as disheveled as he was confused, “Thanks for not blowing my cover!”
“I would wonder why you would be with the Avatar’s group, but I’ve learned better than to question you.”
BigB turned to Grian, “I would be lying if I didn’t express some curiosity about why he’s with you.”
“Your city is under lockdown,” Pearl said, “Scar got us in by lying that we are his servants.”
BigB nodded, “Not uncommon for the Mob Boss to get more people, especially when they look like you three do.”
“Mob boss?!” Pearl glared at Scar, “I thought you just said you were “involved in some gangs”?!”
Scar shrugged, “Tomato, Potato. Besides,” he turned to the king, “They recently kicked me out. Said I was too slimy, whatever that means.”
BigB sighed, “So, you can’t live anywhere now? Is that what I’m hearing.”
“Bingo!”
“I’ll deal with you in a second,” BigB turned to Grian, a big smile breaking out of his lips, I missed you, Gri.”
“Same with you, B,” Grian grinned, “Suprised you recognized me even in this disguise.”
“Your face gave you away,” BigB stared at his forehead, “The headband is interesting, however.”
Grain lifted the headband to show his arrows, “Actually, me and Pearl are masters now!”
BigB whistled, “Impressive. Although, that does bring me to how are you alive? Every Air Nomad was said to be slaughtered.”
“We got out before they could find us,” Pearl explained, “They couldn’t risk… us being there.”
“Why?”
“Cause I’m the Avatar.”
BigB’s eyes went wide as Scar gasped, “Y-you’re the Avatar?”
Pearl smacked Grian’s head, “Nice going, numbskull.”
Grian sheepishly grinned, “Heh… Sorry…”
BigB snapped himself out of his confusion, “You can’t stay here.”
Grian stared at his friend, “W-why?”
“Personally,” BigB explained, “I’m happy the Avatar didn’t disappear and super excited that my friend is the one to carry that burden. But Omashu is highly paranoid. That’s why the borders are closed. If they found out about you, they would turn you in at a heartbeat to gain protection by the Fire Nation.”
“But- I just got here! I haven’t seen you in six years, and-!”
“Then don’t take six years to save the world,” BigB nodded towards Gem, “I’m assuming the waterbender is your teacher.”
Gem shook her head muttering, “How does everyone know I’m a waterbender…”
Pearl butted in for her, “No. We’re on our way to the Northern Water Tribe to find one. Hopefully they’ll teach Gem and Grian.”
BigB nodded, “Good. As for you Scar,” He turned his head to the Mob Boss, who was still processing everything, “I need you to stay here under my supervision so I know you aren’t selling Grian out.”
Scar opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again, “I want to go with them.”
Pearl scoffed, “Excuse me?”
“I already know,” Scar pointed out, “So if I go with you, you can keep an eye on me. I have no where to go. I’m a good liar and mediator. I’m smart. And… And I want to help you. I really do.”
Pearl glared at him, but couldn’t respond due to Gem, “Pearl. I trust him. Please.”
Pearl hesistated, then sighed. She glanced at her brother, who gave a nod, “Fine. But you have to keep up with us.”
“Ma’am!”
BigB nodded, got into an earthbending position, and bended the rocks to form a rocky ball in front of them. It opened to reveal water, food, and supplies.
“I’m assuming you have a ride?”
“Remember Tilly?”
“Climb in,” BigB grunted, “Where exactly is Tilly?”
“On the hill outside of the front entrance,” Grian said.
BigB nodded, “I’ll tunnel you to Tilly. I suggest getting out of here as quickly and discreetly as possible. Take what’s in the rocks. I hope this will help you for a few weeks, but it won’t last forever. I suggest heading to-”
BigB was interrupted by rock flying at Grian. They turned to see Leno, surrounded by earthbenders, glaring at the group, “You made a mistake, Avatar, coming here and then having the audacity to pick up scum like him.” He pointed his glare at Scar.
Before Grian could retort, BigB launched a boulder at his advisor. The boulder crumbled easily by the guarding benders, but Pearl and Grian used the dust that sprouted to hurl a quick puff of air to push back the attackers.
“Get in,” BigB nodded to Gem and Scar, “And get your buddies!”
“Pearl!” Gem called while helping Scar climb in, “Grian! C’mon!”
Grian started running towards their ride, but Pearl was still funneling air to push back the attackers as fast as she could.
BigB growled, “Go Pearl! Dont waste your time on them!”
Pearl hesistated, before nodding and running to her friends. As soon as she touched the rocky sphere, it closed and launched them into the ground.
Scar and Grian were screaming in terror as they were tossed around. Gem and Pearl clinged to each other, closing their eyes.
Finally, the sphere stopped and opened, the rock breaking apart. Gem opened her eyes to see a startled Tilly and Xelqua, both staring at the group, then honing in on Scar.
“Long story,” Pearl told Tilly, “Scar, Tilly and Xelqua. Xelqua, Tilly, Scar.”
Scar, who was still rattled from their escape plan and now had to be face to face with a huge animal that was thought long gone, was carried onto Tilly’s back by Grian.
Gem and Pearl climbed up to his head. “Yip, yip!” Pearl hastily said.
Tilly flapped her wide tail before taking off. Before any of them could breathe properly again, boulders were hurtled at the bison. Grian spun his staff, sending wind to block the rock. However, he wasn’t able to move one out of the way in time..
Gem was bracing for impact when a loud explosion hit the rock. Gem looked around to see Scar, holding his cane towards where the boulder just was. All three of the benders stared at Scar, a little intimidated.
“My cane,” Scar smile, “I made some modifications so I wouldn’t be unprepared for an attack. Although, I’ve never blown up a rock before. There was about a 50% percent chance that didn’t work…” Everyone stared at him, “Okay, 40%... 30%- Fine, a high 25%! Important thing is we are alive because I’m amazing.”
Grian snatched the cane, “How does that work? Wouldn’t the cane explode as well?”
Scar laughed, “No, I’ll show you…” He started telling Grian how it worked as Gem vaugely listened. Around the part where Scar mentioned lighting a fuse to create a timed reaction, Gem noticed how tense Pearl was.
“You good?” she asked.
The airbender sighed, “Yeah, I just… I messed up. I really thought this would go a different way… Instead, we now have Scar, which is fine, but he’s another mouth to feed, and Grian’s no closer to mastering anything than he was this morning. The only truly useful thing we got was supplies.”
“And understanding how the world works now.”
“Huh?”
Gem shrugged, “You guys have been hiding for 6 years, the only human interactions were each other. I guess Tilly and Xelqua, too, but I don’t think they count.” Pearl laughed. “The world is hard. Harder than what I read about.” Gem sighed, “I had this picture that I would travel around the world, looking for places to better my already amazing waterbending skills. People… kinda suck.”
“They do, don’t they?” Pearl smile ruefully.
“Not all. Scar doesn’t suck. BigB doesn’t. Grian is about as far away from sucking as anyone. And you… you’re one of the best human beings I have had a chance to meet.”
Pearl’s eyes went big, slightly blushing. Gem hesistated, embarressed, “I mean, I-I’ve only known the, what, 20, 30 people in my tribe, so it might not mean much but oomf-”
Pearl hugged Gem, wrapping her tightly, “Thanks, Gem. You’re the best.”
Gem smiled, “Of course, Pearly.”
“Pearly?” Pearl broke the hug, mock offense at the nickname, “Since when has that been my name?”
“Aw, it’s cute!”
“Fine,” she huffed, “I’ll call you Gemy.”
“Pearl-”
“Gummy. That’s your name, Jimmy.”
Gem laughed, “No…”
Lizzie was impatiently standing next to Martyn, fidgeting with her uniform. Martyn, observant as ever, huffed.
“Lizzie,” he said calmly, “Your anxieties are showing.”
“S-sorry,” she sighed, “I’m just…”
“Nervous?”
“Wow,” she deadpanned, “Amazing how nicely you pick up vocal cues.”
“As snotty as that was,” Martyn sniffed, slightly amused, “I can feel your pulse. It’s higher than normal.”
“I haven’t seen Cleo in a while.”
“Your aunt has been busy,” Martyn said, “Conquering Earth Colonies can be taxing.”
“Please,” Lizzie huffed, turning towards her friend, “She’s too busy wasting time with her ghosts.”
“Spirits, Lizzie,” a voice called out, “It’s disrespectful to call them fake.”
Lizzie flinched when she heard her aunt. She turned to see the red-headed Guide to the Dead. Lizzie bowed.
“Aunt Cleo, forgive me. I was being disrespectful and I deserve to face consequences.”
Cleo smiled slightly, “Please, you could chop my head off and I’d still say ‘Good for you!’”
Lizzie rose, “Martyn said you would accompany us for our mission?”
Cleo nodded, “The Avatar is an interesting topic that has been debated over whether he was dead, gone, or merely a coward. I tend to look for eveidence when arguing. Helps me win more often than not.”
Lizzie pointed towards her cabin, “Well, Cleo, please, make yourself comfortable. In the meantime, I’m going to try to find any information on where the Avatar might be now.”
Cleo grinned, her eyes going dark, “Don’t worry about that, dear. I may have brought a present with me.”
Martyn raised his eyebrows, his face still turned towards the sea, “What present?”
“An informant told me some interesting things about the place of Two Lovers.”