Looking over a field of rice paddies, an Earth Kingdom village can be seen. In it is a bridge by a stream that people are walking by while carrying backpacks and other things. They walk back and forth over the bridge, either entering or departing the small village. In the village, on some dusty street, Iroh and Zuko are sitting on straw mats, their stolen ostrich horse lying behind them. A cart with masks for sale passes by in front of them; one of the masks is seen to be the Blue Spirit mask. As the cart passes, another pedestrian walks in front of Iroh. Iroh holds his hat out to the pedestrian and begins to talk to him.
Iroh: Spare coins for weary travelers?
The pedestrian tosses a couple of copper pieces into Iroh's hat as Zuko turns to Iroh in anger, his arms folded.
Zuko: This is humiliating! We're royalty! These people should be giving us whatever we want.
Iroh: They will if you ask nicely.
A peasant woman strolls past and somewhat dramatically, Iroh holds out his hat as he puts his plan into action. Probably overselling a little bit.
Iroh: Spare change for a hungry old man?
Peasant Woman: Aw, here you go.
She hands him a coin and he looks back at her with a smile.
Iroh: The coin is appreciated, but not as much as your smile!
Zuko slaps his forehead in frustration as the young girl giggles lightly and walks away. As soon as she walks away, a man with dual broadswords on his back wanders up to Iroh & Zuko. He looks at the two.
Man: How about some entertainment in exchange for... a gold piece?
He pulls the piece from his pocket with a flourish. The gold seems to shine in the light, it's value easily being highlighted by the shine. Zuko hates being seen as street beggars when he is royalty while Iroh doesn't care in the slightest.
Zuko: We're not performers.
Iroh stands up.
Iroh: Not professional anyway.
He puts the hat down and stands up, swaying lightly as he begins to sing.
Iroh: It's a long, long way to Ba Sing Se, but the girls in the city, they look so pretty!
The man, annoyed with the quality of the entertainment, pulls out his swords.
Man: Come on, we're talking a gold piece here! Let's see some action! Dance!
He starts to swipe at Iroh's feet as he hops up and down to "dodge" the attacks as Zuko struggles to control his anger at the man. Other citizens have stopped to watch the spectacle while Iroh is doing his thing to entertain and get his gold coin. Unlike Zuko, pride isn't the most important to him.
Iroh: They kiss so sweet that you really got to meet the girls from Ba Sing Se!
The guy with the swords puts his swords away as he stops slicing at Iroh's feet.
Man: Ha, ha! Nothing like a fat man dancing for his dinner! Here ya go!
Tosses the gold coin onto the ground and walks away. Iroh picks up the coin with a smile.
Iroh: Such a kind man.
However, Zuko doesn't feel even remotely the same as his uncle. The young prince glares at the swordsman in anger and humiliation. Meanwhile Appa flies through a gray sky over a large forested area; it is covered somewhat by fog, and looks rather menacing. Y/n is sitting by Bee as she does Sayo's hair to keep it up. Sokka rubs a whetstone against his machete, while Katara is studying a scroll. Aang stares at the swamp, and seems to be in a trance while Y/n is starting to hear whispers in the back of his mind but decides to ignore them mostly. Looking up, Sokka is the only one who notices that they were slowly flying down, and notices Aang's trance-like state.
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Avatar The Last Airbender: The Pillar Of Stone
Action(I DO NOT OWN AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER OR ANY CHARACTER, SONG, VIDEO, ART, ETC. THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE USED IN THE STORY. THEY ALL BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. NOT ME.) Toph and Smellerbee x Male (Toph is aged up one year and for Korra, both...
