An aircraft bearing the Fire Nation flag flew across the clear sky, cutting through the few remaining clouds. It was a hot and clear day, which the Firebenders in the aircraft appreciated, though everyone else did not.
Shisui stood on the deck with a chunk of ice floating around him. A gentle breeze carried the coolness of the ice to those present, thanks to Aang, who had come up with this idea.
"Why is it so hot? I can't take it!" complained Sokka, who was drinking cool water from a canteen. As a native of the South Pole, high temperatures were his forte.
For this reason, he was dressed lightly and had discarded his usual warm, fur-lined garments because he knew that he would simply drown in his own sweat if he wore them. Katara was in the same situation, except she, like Shisui, had Waterbending to cool off.
"Go complain to Agni," replied Raava, who was quite comfortable in the heat. Despite having a human body, she wasn't human in essence, and the day's high temperature didn't make her sweat at all.
"I'm actually comfortable," said Zuko nonchalantly, earning several disdainful glances from those unlike him, someone who gained a power boost from the sun.
"Wouldn't it be better if we went inside? Why exactly are we here?" asked Mai. She carried a black parasol that matched her usual style. However, she had to constantly push away Ty Lee, who kept trying to squeeze in next to her and steal her shade.
"Because we want to see Omashu from a distance! It's a wonderful view from a distance. Whenever I travel to that city, I like to take in the scenery," Azula replied. She was leaning on the railing, gazing toward the horizon.
"Has it really changed that much? When I came last time, it didn't seem as impressive as you guys say," Aang added, causing Shisui to pat his shoulder, not to offer any kind of consolation, but to emphasize his next words.
"Aang, your culture is based on living in the mountains, so Omashu wouldn't amaze you. The Fire Nation's Caldera City is hidden in the crater of an extinct volcano. Currently, Omashu is the only mountain city that offers an excellent view from afar," said Shisui, causing Aang to slap his face.
"Really? Well then! Let me admire this so-called city built on a mountain!"
Just then, the tip of a structure appeared in the distance. It grew larger as the airship approached.
There was a mountain crowned by a sprawling stone city. It flew the standard flag of the Earth Kingdom but bore the personal coat of arms of the city-state of Omashu. This sight silenced everyone on deck.
"Humans really are capable of transforming nature," whispered Raava as she brought her hand to her chest, admiring Omashu. This display of human capability fascinated the spirit.
"What they told us about this city doesn't come close to what I'm seeing now," Sokka commented. He felt that sketching the view once they disembarked would be a good idea, though he didn't realize that his artistic skills weren't up to the task.
"Wow! Thank you for letting me see this! Toph hugged Shisui tightly. Even though her visual impairment was still there, the technique she'd developed allowed her to appreciate Omashu. It was thanks to the sage's advice that she'd been able to find it.
"Okay, I think I understand what they meant when they said that if you haven't seen Omashu from above, you haven't really seen it. That really is an excellent sight, you have to admit. It's the first time I've seen Omashu from this angle. It really changes my perspective of the city," remarked Suki, marveling at what she was seeing.
She had visited this city many times, especially during the war when she guided refugees to Omashu. Although it was tedious to rely on rock slides operated by earthbenders, she held King Bumi in high regard for his actions.
He was one of the few kings in the Earth Kingdom who wasn't despicable. The other kings closed their city-states to refugees and even attacked them. The de facto ruler of the fragmented nation, the King of Ba Sing Se, could do nothing, as he was facing the Fire Nation's forces in that conflict.
The situation in the Earth Kingdom and its city-states made it clear just how chaotic the territory was, even before the Hundred Year War. It's no wonder there was a general in the past who wanted to conquer this entire stretch of land before being stopped by Kyoshi, albeit accidentally.
What had become of what Chin the Conqueror had built after his death? Just a simple, insignificant village where his name was praised, but his mark barely remained in the rest of the Earth Kingdom.
Suki shook her head, pushing the thought aside. What did that insignificant man matter when Omashu was just around the corner? Perhaps she would see King Bumi again! Despite his advanced age, he didn't seem to have lost any of his vitality.
"Watch out for Bumi's son," Shisui said suddenly. Everyone looked at him, especially Aang, who felt strange thinking that one of his friends from 100 years ago had a son and a grandson.
This made him feel like he had missed out on a lot. After all, he had skipped 100 years of world history. Today, however, he would meet one of his childhood friends, even though he didn't understand what the Sage meant.
"I see the look of curiosity on your face, Aang. Let me explain," said Shisui before looking at Ty Lee. Supported by Petra, Ty Lee was no longer trying to annoy Mai. Instead, she looked up and observed the Waterbender.
"That annoying old man with an aura full of resentment? That guy is extremely uncomfortable! Is it because he hasn't taken the throne while King Bumi is still alive? If that old man weren't so healthy, maybe he would have tried to assassinate King Bumi!" Ty Lee blurted out, her words feeling somber and cold even amidst her humor, slightly dampening the heat outside.
"Exactly. Imagine growing up believing that you'll rule one of the most powerful cities in the Earth Kingdom with a considerable number of earthbenders. You yourself are a talented and powerful bender.
But your father is 70 years old and won't step down. Then 80, 90, 100, and beyond, and he shows no sign of abdicating. Meanwhile, you grow weaker, more impatient, and filled with hatred." Shisui began in a low voice, never taking his eyes off Omashu, which was drawing closer and closer to them.
"We are visiting Omashu. They know this thanks to messengers and falcons. Our visit is diplomatic in nature. Though it will only be a stop of several days, our presence will affect every corner of this city.
Bumi is a tough but gentle king. Warlike yet wise. He was among the first to accept the Fire Nation's change and even established trade relations with us when others hesitated. It's no coincidence that we're enjoying the city's specialty, sugar rocks." To prove his point, Shisui approached Azula and took a piece of the green rock she was slowly savoring. The princess glared at him since the sweet was her pregnancy craving.
"However, the Fire Nation... well, they're unforgettable. That's perfect for organizing something, isn't it? What happens when you combine a resentful prince with a group that can justify any plan?" Shisui left the question hanging, but those present were neither foolish nor ignorant. In fact, they were the opposite.
Sokka, a brilliant strategist, had already figured out the answer when Ty Lee mentioned that prince. He knew what the Sage was referring to, so he answered without hesitation.
"Rebellion, civil war, scapegoats, false-flag attacks. They just need to kill a moderately well-known figure in a fiery manner to stoke the hatred of the masses, who will demand answers and an explanation.
Then, the 'leader with the answers' will step forward to shed light on the true target of the anger of the masses, and consequently, us," Sokka said, pointing at Zuko before pointing at himself. He then curled his lips in a sneer, expressing his disdain.
"No matter how good a king Bumi is, we mustn't forget that he's extremely old. He's over 100 years old. Even if he could live another 20 years without losing his physical and mental faculties, the powerful people in Omashu would be fearful.
What if the king slips while bathing and dies? An old man is fragile, no matter how vigorous he's described! The prince is old, too, but he's younger. He'll also support Bumi's grandson.
If that guy has any sense, he'll understand his situation, and if he's ambitious... why exactly should we stop in Omashu, Shisui?" After analyzing everything, Sokka looked at Shisui with a blank expression, wanting to know what made the sage want to touch a powder keg on the verge of exploding like Omashu.
"Setting aside diplomatic and trade matters, or the fact that Aang wants to meet his friend, I've been in contact with Bumi's grandson for several years now. He's a great joker with an excellent talent for earthbending. His name is... Yun. Yes, Yun." Shisui looked at Aang and Raava, who both wore subtle expressions upon hearing that name.
Then, specks of chi emerged from the sage's body. He moved his arms, but instead of waterbending, he reacted to the overlapping dimensions of the material and spiritual worlds, causing a resonance between the two spaces.
This action was inspired by what happened to Shisui when he was a child. Through years of studying energy and meditation, as well as his enlightenment and foray into Energybending, the sage managed to replicate this event on a smaller scale.
He could only create a brief environment in which both worlds could interact as if divided by a transparent mirror. Thus, the group was able to see the figure drawn to Shisui's words: Avatar Kyoshi.
"Do you want to confirm if she's a reincarnation of the false avatar Yun? No, she isn't. Though their names match, that young man shares only that: a similar name. However, I don't think you've provoked me into asking that question, Sage Shisui," Avatar Kyoshi said, looking down at the Sage since she was much taller than anyone else present.
"I have another question: Did Lao Ge teach his immortality technique to anyone else? I know it doesn't rely on earthbending. That's a false rumor he spread to keep people from pursuing him for that ability." Shisui revealed this without mincing words, causing Toph, who was standing next to him, to lower her head.
She is Lao Ge's current student. Although he never taught her the technique Shisui was referring to, he taught her how to stay healthy for a long time, even in old age. Lao Ge no longer wanted to pass on his ability to live forever, which was understandable.
"No, although Bumi was Lao Ge's apprentice, he only learned the same things as your friend Toph. But I can ask Lao Ge. Whenever he can, he wanders through the Spirit World. He's one of my few friends," Avatar Kyoshi replied before disappearing. The area disturbed by Shisui returned to normal.
Supported by Azula, the Sage staggered. Shisui had beads of cold sweat on his forehead and was breathing heavily. Creating a version of himself made of energy was one thing; meddling with the dimensional aspects of reality was quite another.
He already knew that what had happened in his childhood, or at least its magnitude, was unrepeatable. Although the general concept could be applied, something so massive could not be achieved because it consumed too much energy.
At the time, he hadn't brought it about on his own. Rather, it had resonated with everyone present, and he had received help from the Avatars. The Avatars also told him that it helped that it happened at the height of the sun while teaching Aang in the Spirit World.
"You may not understand why I did that, but I have a hunch that Bumi's son is hiding Lao Ge's Technique, wanting to take it for himself. Yun told me in his letters that his father had sought out a lot of information on longevity.
Not only that, but he also sought out alchemists and herbalists, wanting to create an elixir that would extend his life. However, Yun doesn't know how that turned out. Guys, if you've achieved something, would you like to live a little longer?" Shisui asked slowly, his golden eyes sparkling.
He could sense it: a surprise awaited him in Omashu. He hoped it would be the elixir, though life takes unexpected turns, and one never knows what one will get in the end.