drunkenpandaren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
drunkenpandaren) wrote2009-08-31 11:30 am
drunkenpandaren) wrote2009-08-31 11:30 am
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Power Rangers A.D.S. - Chapter 15 "Bitter Work"
Bitter Work
Zuko sat by his mother’s bed, clasping her hand. “Mom….”
“Any change?” asked Katara as she walked into the room.
“None, but the doctors are doing the best they can. It’s just that… well, they removed most of her cybernetic implants but she just can’t remember. She’s polite and she’s everything I remember about her but…!”
“She’s not your mother, I get it.” Said Katara.
“I also heard from Sokka what happened to yours. I’m sorry.”
Katara forced a lump down her throat. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Looking up, she added, “Hey I’m going to get a green tea smoothie. You want me to bring you a peach one?”
“Make it two,” replied Zuko. “Mom loves peaches.”
“All right.”
Leaving the room, Katara sighed as she made her way through the hospital and down out through the exit where Aang and Sokka were waiting for her. “No change,” she said.
“That’s too bad. She’s a nice lady and all.” Sokka looked at his sister. “You okay?”
“I will be soon. Hey, isn’t Doctor Toph supposed to be here?” inquired Katara.
“She said she had some catching up to do with Ty Lee and Mai. Something about checking out something they hid a long time ago as kids.” Said Aang. “What do you think it could be?”
“Maybe some kind of treasure?” mused Sokka. “Then again, I can’t believe they’re all geniuses.”
“They really don’t look like it, Ty Lee and Mai I mean. Well, Mai more than Ty Lee considering how BUBBLY the girl is.” Agreed Katara. “C’mon, lets get smoothies. I promised Zuko I’ll get him two.”
“But he’s only got the stomach for one, and he hates peach,” said Aang, confused.
“It’s for his mom Aang,” said Sokka and Aang understood.
As they headed to the car, Aang added, “Can we go see Appa? I understand you guys don’t want me to bring him home but…”
Katara smiled and Sokka nodded. “Yeah, lets go see Appa. Said Katara.
A bowl of rice plopped down next to Doctor Toph’s computer as Mai commanded, “Eat.”
“Can’t. I’m working on this—hey!” She scrabbled for the VR visor but Mai held it out of range. “Mai give it back!”
“No. Not until you eat something. You’ve been working for almost three days on it,” said Mai.
“Yeah, and that much stress is bad for your aura,” pointed out Ty Lee who was doing some flexibility exersizes that she claimed kept her mind working. “It’s all a muddy earth brown.”
“I’m an earthbender, of course it’s muddy brown,” replied Toph. Relenting, she took a handful of rice and munched on it.
Mai gave Toph one of her rare few head-pats and sat down before picking up her own chopsticks and rice. “You know,” she said, delicately eating a few grains, “Why don’t you spend more time with your team on the field? Back in the day you used to get into fights with everyone.”
“Time’s tempered my, well, temper,” repied Toph as she munched noisily on her food.
“I don’t think so,” replied Ty Lee, bending into a nearly painful looking pose. “I mean you’ve got your patience still, but your temper’s just as hot as ever.”
“It is not,” replied Toph sourly.
“Uh oh, there’s that sulk and pout again,” said Mai, a tiny smile on her face.
Toph rubbed her face, stuck out her tongue and made Ty Lee laugh.
After finishing her food, she held out a hand. “Visor.” Mai threw it like a knife and Toph caught it after so many years of practiced motions. Slipping it onto her eyes, a rush of information flooded back.
“So what are you looking for?” inquired Ty Lee after pulling herself out of a position that would be best described as Not Humanly Possible.
“More information. When I left, I used a spider-tracer to gather a bit more than I needed. Anything to give us an edge really,” replied Toph. “They’ve probably found my hack and are guarding against further incursions, so I need to be careful from now on.”
“I see.” Said Ty Lee. “What if you seguey a pattern of multiple frequencies, cause a massive DoS-type attack. In the ensuring chaos you could slip in and grab what you need.”
“If I had a hundred computers and a massive uplink to Azulon I would, but right now it’s not feasible. Maybe three years ago…” Toph shrugged. “They’re expecting that tactic anyhow.”
“Hmm…” Mai looked over Toph’s shoulder and pointed at a line of code. “Pause it.” Toph did so and she read it off. “Sozin’s Comet. What is that?”
“I’m not sure,” said Toph as she scanned the rest of the code. “There’s nothing.”
“Sozin’s Comet…” said Ty Lee, tapping her finger against her chin. “I remember this from history lessons. Wasn’t that the legendary comet that was said to be able to grant Firebenders superpowers? Like ten fold?”
“A hundredfold,” corrected Mai, realizing where they had heard it before. “They said that the last time they saw it, a war broke out. Fortunately it was quelled later on, due to the Avatar.”
“Yeah… so what do you think this reference could be?” mused Ty Lee. “Could the comet be coming back?”
“Referencing Star Charts and Maps.” Typing rapidly, Toph located her answer. “No. It can’t. Sozin’s Comet isn’t due to return for another hundred years. Actually a hundred and fourty years. By then, we’re either space dust, or a thriving super-civilization.”
“A thriving civilization with Firebenders and men and women with ambition.” pointed out Mai. “But that’s just me pointing out the obvious.”
“It must refer to a device then, but I’m finding no record of it,” mused Toph.
“Maybe shelve it for later? We still need to head out for a bit, do what we needed to get done since we were reunited.” Ty Lee said.
“As much as I hate to leave a mystery unsolved, you’ve got a point. All right; let’s table this for now. No sense getting worked up about it.” Hanging up her VR visor, Toph stretched. “I need a smoothie. And a walk.”
“Boring.” Stated Aang.
“Yep.” Said Sokka.
“Nothing to do.” Said Aang.
“Yep.” Said Sokka.
Katara sucked on her smoothie before offering one to Zuko who took it, but only took a small sip. “So um… Ursa is it? That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you dear,” smiled Ursa. “And you’re Katara right? That’s a pretty name too. Are you and young Zuko here dating?”
“He’s not my boyfriend!” exclaimed Katara hotly.
“She’s not my girlfriend!” proclaimed Zuko at the same time.
Ursa smiled as she giggled softly. Taking the smoothie, she sipped it. “Mmmm. Did you know that peaches come with a blessing? They say that a child found floating downstream in a peach blossom is a gift from the gods.”
“Really? I’ve never heard of that story before,” said Aang, perking up at the potential of a good story.
“Yes it is,” smiled Ursa. “Though I can’t remember any of it other than the description.”
“Oh, I see,” said Aang, disappointed.
Katara checked the clock, frowning a bit. “It’s strange,” she mused.
“What is it Katara?” asked Sokka.
“It’s been five days since you all came back, and another two since you left. Seven days and Azulon hasn’t attacked.” Mused Katara. “Might be my recently instilled sense of paranoia kicking in but…”
“No, I feel it too,” said Aang. “Lately I’ve been getting edgier, like something needs to be done. And lately I’ve been dreaming about Avatar Roku, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.”
“Well I for one am GLAD we have a small vacation. Heck, I’m sure the crazy cabbage guy is glad for it too!” stated Sokka.
“MY CABBAGES!” cried a voice from the window outside and everyone glanced outside to see the vendor chasing after the wagon that was rapidly zooming downhill, over a ledge and into an incinerator.
“Ooooooor maybe NOT,” drawled Sokka. “It’s all a matter of perspective.”
“It is good to see you back Chief Hakoda,” greeted General Iroh as the Water Tribesman walked into the command room.
“And you as well old friend,” said Hakoda, giving the large man a firm handshake. “When I was in the wastes, I always hoped I’d come back safe and sound.”
“For a while we belived you to be Missing in Action,” said Iroh. “But I am glad you proved us wrong. I hope your search was successful?’
“It was,” said Hakoda as he pulled out a new map of the world with several places circled. “Here and here, here and here. All of these marked locations are settlements, human settlements who have withstood the march of the machines. Also, there is a very LARGE bastion of people still remaining in the North Pole, as snow and ice are deadly against mechanical beings.”
“So…” mused Iroh as he gazed over the map. “You realize the signifigance of these locations.”
“Yes I do,” replied Hakoda. “Here, in the North Pole lays the Spirit Oasis. Over here is the Swamp, which shows you what needs to be done. Here and here are temples of Fire and Earth currently occupied by whatever remains of the populace in these areas. They too are major locations due to the proximity to the birthplace of the Avatar. And finally, here and here; these two parts near Ba Sing Se itself provide what we need to access the crystal mines below.”
“So then, we finally have it. A means to defend outselves by our own hands and gain troop strength and allies, all in the name of defeating the march of Azulon and his forces.” Iroh sighed. “It is a small hope, but now I know that it can be done with much work and a little luck.”
“What about the Rangers General?” inquired Hakoda. “Back then it was a pipe-dream. Now, I find myself with two children who are valiant heroes in the defense of Ba Sing Se.”
Iroh smiled. “I put my full trust in them Hakoda, as should you. In time they were learn however, that not ALL battles can be fought by them. This is merely a way to lighten THEIR load as well as ours.”
“In the meantime, I suggest we send a messenger to the Northern Water Tribe. If memory serves me correctly, Master Pakku of the Northern Water Tribe, their greatest waterbending master resides in the lower section of Ba Sing Se, teaching Katara of all people how to bend her element.”
“A bender in the family,” smiled Hakoda. “I wish I could have been there to help.”
“As do all fathers,” assured Iroh. “However, now is the time to make sure we can assist the Rangers, AND the Avatar. Even if he is determined to lighten his own load, there may be something that will force him to make a decision. And when that day comes old friend; I do hope he will make the right one.”
Hakoda. “By your leave.” Bowing, the man left and Iroh smiled before picking up his tea. Sipping it, he made a face. “Ugh! Cold tea…”
“I thought I’d find you here,” said Teo as he rolled down the stairs and into the Archivum. “Come to talk with your past self?”
“I wish,” replied Aang as he sat cross-legged as the glyphs beneath his feet spun under a clear-crystal floor. “When I try, it just gives me this automated voice. I can’t talk to Avatar Roku this way.”
“Maybe you’re not,” said Teo. “I mean, you’re the Avatar right? Shouldn’t you be able to talk to him at any point in time?”
“It doesn’t work that way,” said Aang, downcast. “I’ve been seeing him in my dreams but his voice is so quiet, I can hardly make it out.”
“You know, maybe you need to go somewhere that’s well, attuned, to Avatar Roku.” Mused Teo.
“Like where?”
“How about a temple? Like a Fire one?”
“Tried it. The place in town has like zero ambience and there’s this old batty monk who keeps glaring at me.” Said Aang.
“Hmm… didn’t you say you went to see Aunt Wu? How about her?”
“Hey you’re right! She WAS helpful before.” Jumping to his fee,t the glyphs turned off. “All right, I’ll do it. I’ll go and talk to Aunt Wu and brave that impossible line again!”
“Great! And before you go, mind pushing me up the stairs?”
Aang’s expression fell and he groaned. “All right. Hang on a sec.”
“Appa! I brought some berries for you!”
The massive Flying Bison rumbled as he opened his mouth and Aang threw him the berries which Appa ate. Patting his old friend on the nose, Aang hugged him. “Missed you buddy.”
Appa responded with a lick that stained Aang’s face purple and he laughed. “Missed those licks too. How’ve you been holding up?”
Appa rumbled in a pleased tone. “I’m glad Dock and his brothers have taken care of you. I’ll have to thank them later.”
Appa grumbled and nudged Aang and Aang patted his friend on the head. “I’d love to bring you back with me, but you wouldn’t fit in the garage, and the street outside of it isn’t a good place for a Sky Bison.” Appa shifted a little and Aang rubbed his nose. “It’ll be all right Appa. It’s like living in the Bison care center when we were little. I’ll be here every day and we’ll run missons together as Rangers. Okay?”
Appa rumbled and then looked to the sky. “Oh you mean the zord? Yeah, he’s like your brother actually. Or maybe your twin? I don’t get this DNA thing to be honest.”
Appa rumbled again, clearly satisfied with the statement. “All right, I’ll come back later buddy provided I’m not on call from an attack.” Appa licked Aang again and he smiled. “I know; hair on me looks weird too. But I kind of like it and I’ve started to grow it out again.” Appa replied and Aang chuckled. “I am NOT getting to be a lazy Avatar!”
“Having fun Series Yellow?” inquired Toph and Aang jumped a little. “Hello Appa.”
Appa made a pleased sound as she walked up, rubbed his nose and dumped two smoothies into his outstretched tongue. “Appa loves banana and grape,” she explained as she shook the contents of the containers she had. “Aang, I need to borrow Appa for a bit.”
“Why’s that?” inquired Aang.
“The girls and I are running a mission outside the dome. Just out to Lake Laogai.” Explained Toph. “We’ve left something there since the last time we were stuck in that facility.”
“I thought it was destroyed,” said Aang and Toph nodded. “But then how—?”
“I can earthbend and pull the paths and reconstruct it. It may take some time but we’ll be done in approximately six hours.” Said Toph. “Notify the rest of the Rangers for me. Mai, Ty Lee?”
“We’re here,” said Ty Lee as she carried a few picks and shovels for herself and the other girl.
“We ready to do this?” said Mai as she tightened her gloves. “Once we go, there’s no turning back.”
“I’m sure,” said Toph.
“W-Wait. Can I come with you three?” asked Aang and they looked at her. “I mean, well I haven’t flown with Appa for ages and I was just thinking that since I’ve been learning some earthbending I could give you a hand…”
Mai let out a tiny chuckle. “He’s earnest. This why you keep him around T?”
“Sorta. He’s baseline data for the Avatar,” smirked Toph and Aang made a face. “All right. But you’ve got to follow my lead. Call the others too and make certain that they understand this is a four-man mission.”
“Got it.” As Aang pulled out his morpher, Ty Lee looked over at Toph and whispered, “Hey T? Why ARE you bringing him? This was supposed to be a all girls thing.”
“If there’s one thing Series Yellow has taught me, it’s that there is never anything that happens due to coincidence but destiny. As a scientist I should scoff at it, but as a friend I can’t help but wonder how the Avatar is going to restore balance to this world. Call it a passing fancy.” Toph turned away and clambered aboard Appa before anyone could see the blush on her face.
“This facility dates back nearly a hundred years,” said Toph as she and Aang earthbent their way through the tunnels, clearing debris and reinforcing the broken structure. “It used to be a secret place made for the Earth King in case of invasion of Ba Sing Se. But since then, the purpose of it was changed.”
“Men in black suits just came by one day to our homes, myself and Ty Lee,” continued Mai in that train of thought. “They said we were gifted, and took us away from our families in the dead of night.”
“Here we were forced to develop technologies for “the good of mankind”,” said Ty Lee, holding up a flashlight as they broke into the main structure of the underground base. Water sloshed around but the walls were sturdy. “Mai is a genius of mathematics, while I’m more of the weapons developer.”
“Ty Lee likes things that goes boom,” put in Mai and the girl with the braid giggled, rubbing her head.
“So if you were abducted for math, and Ty Lee for her explosives, then what was Doctor Toph abducted for?” asked Aang.
Toph shoved her hand forward, earthbending a chunk of stone to stop a large leak. “Everything else. When they found me, I had escaped my folks, and was drawing complex diagrams on the pavement. I could only see where my sense of touch was showing, but something about it apparently made them target me. Days later I was being held here; in the Alphabet Soup complex.”
“Ty Lee and I were introduced to her. Back then, T had undergone so much conditioning to the men and women working the Alphabet Soup project, that she had forgotten even her own name. Ty Lee and I held onto ours stubbornly, especially after Ty Lee threatened to blow up the lab.”
“I almost made a few go pop,” admitted Ty Lee.
“That’s so sad. To be dragged away from the people who loved you…” said Aang, his expression downcast. “Did your parents manage to escape to Ba Sing Se?’
“Yes, but we haven’t let them know,” replied Ty Lee. “Mai and I like our freedom.”
“Found it.” Announced Toph and the four walked over. “Keys.”
Mai and Ty Lee pulled out keys and Toph slotted both of them before adding a third to the box. Opening it one key at a time, the hiss of air rushing in was heard. “Vacuum sealed,” explained Toph to Aang. “Here we are…”
“When we were escaping the attack on the facility, Mai and I went back for these things,” said Ty Lee, picking up what looked like a joystick and tucking it into her waistband as Mai did the same. “But we were forced to leave them here since we realized we needed T’s key as well.”
“But what are they?” asked Aang.
“Seriously, you don’t notice a morpher when you see it Series Yellow?” snorted Toph and Aang blinked rapidly in surprise.
“Series Gold and Series Silver,” said Mai. “They’re designed for us, myself and Ty Lee. Replicated from the originals, it was an attempt to develop as much firepower as we could in order to escape.”
“I see,” said Aang. Just then, his morpher chimed. “Aang here.”
“We’ve finally got our attack,” said Katara and the sound of an explosion close by. “Looks like Azulon threw three attack bots at us. Command tower confirms them all as Generation 15.”
“Looks like we get to test out our stuff,” said Ty Lee as Aang confirmed they were en route. “It’s a go for boom time!”
“SAWS! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SAWS!” cried out Sokka as he dodged wildly and was knocked backwards. Rolling to his feet, Hakoda covered his son with a laser rifle.
Emptying his clip into the saw bot, Zuko swooped in to intercept it as Hakoda pulled his son to his feet. “Stay focused Sokka,” instructed Hakoda.
“Got it. To your left!” Activating his own blaster, Sokka whipped his arm around his father, firing at the rake bot that was sneaking up on them.
Katara pulled water from the fountain and wrapped it around the flame bot which blasted fire from the tubes on its arms. Making a motion, she encased it in ice.
“That will not hold for long,” said Iroh as he prepared another volley. True enough, the flame bot broke free in a burst of flames directed at the group. Iroh intercepted it with a chopping motion as he barked into his earpiece. “Flight 2, you are a go!”
From the buildings, the second Flight rained fire and stone down upon the bots. Hakoda smiled. “Just like old times, huh Iroh?”
“Indeed. Though I think I’m getting too old to be on the battlefield,” chuckled the elderly man. “Though for now, let us stop messing around.”
Hakoda nodded as he pulled out a small cylinder that hung at his belt. It telescoped out to a traditional Water Tribe Spear as he and Iroh charged the saw bot. The saw bot met them, sparks flying from where the spinning blades met Hakoda’s spear. Undaunted, Hakoda drove his spear into its left eye and the saw bot stumbled in time for Iroh to swing in with a fire-laden punch that knocked it across the battlefield.
“Whoa,” said Zuko who had managed to knock down the rake bot with his own set of bending. “Look at them go.”
“I guess that’s why they’re the best,” said Sokka. “Man do I feel underwhelmed.”
“Eyes front you two!” snapped Katara as she re-engaged the flame bot who fired more projectiles at her.
The flame bot finally had enough of the benders on the rooftops and started firing at them. The waterbenders scrambled to douse the flames as Iroh barked into his headset. “Flight 2, fall back! Don’t give them a target!”
“Behind you!” Iroh turned a little too late as the saw bot got up and was swinging at his neck.
Suddenly, a wave of rocks slammed into the saw bot and it was thrown to the side. Doctor Toph smirked as she lowered her hands. “Looks like you need some help,” she said as she produced her Engine Cell.
“About time you guys got back!” snapped Sokka.
“Sorry. We had to park Appa a block away,” said Aang, rubbing his head.
“And believe me, a Flying Bison double-parks,” added Ty Lee.
“Whatever. Let’s just get this done with.” Finished Mai as she produced an Engine Cell.
“A.D.S.! Max Drive!” chorused the four and in a blast of light, four Rangers stood there. The familiar forms of Yellow and Green were apparent but the suits that Mai and Ty Lee wore were a glittering gold color and a glowing silver.
“Lets go,” said Mai and Ty Lee charged at the front of the pack as Aang and Toph took up the middle, bending stone and air around themselves as they reinforced Katara with the flame bot. Mai hung to the back and several sets of small knives snapped into her hands, glowing with golden light.
The battle which had been seriously one-sided for the defenders quickly turned into a a massacre for the good guys. With the exceptionall coordination of the group at large, each bot was destroyed quickly and effectively.
As the last bot fell riddled with daggers, Sokka started counting out loud. “Three… two…”
But before he could get to one, the remains of the bots grew. “Nuts,” said Sokka. “I was hoping I was going to be right this time.”
“Downmorphing Zords,” commanded Katara and the battle vehicles exploded into view.
“Rangers,” said Toph as she input a command on her wrist-mounted computer. “I’ve entered a new Megazord configuration into the system. Also Ty Lee, Mai. I’ve given you guys the chance to combine your zords as well.”
“Sweet. Downmorphing Zords!” commanded Ty Lee as she and Mai entered their own vehicles.
“Combining Bison Fortress Megazord,” commanded Katara as their zords linked together.
“Executing State-Breaker Megazord sequence,” reported Mai as her zord begun the interlink process with Ty Lee’s own.
Soon, two massive robots stood in the middle—the titanic sized Bison Fortress with its weapons gleaming in the sun, and the new State-Breaker Megazord which appeared to be more of a samurai of legend with overtones of the Mongoose Dragon and Komodo Rhino in it.
“Downmorphing Badger Mole,” commanded Toph and a truly huge Badger Mole appeared. Leaping into the cockpit, Toph synchronized with the machine. “Beginning A.D.S. Max Megazord configuration sequence.”
The Badger Mole swung upright as parts unfolded from it. Arms and legs and the thick back spun on its arm as a weapon. A face flipped from the head and Toph smiled. “You guys aren’t the only one with a zord.”
“… where DO you get the time to make all of our cool toys?” inquired Sokka moments before they pushed the Bison Fortress into battle.
“I call dibs on the rake bot,” called out Ty Lee as she and Mai’s zord drew a giant katana, stancing with two fingers lining up their opponent. Ty Lee grinned and waggled the fingers, egging the rake bot on who obliged willingly.
“That leaves me with hot feet here,” smirked Toph as her zord assumed her unique stance. The flame bot and her faced off and the flame bot lifted a foot—and Toph took her chance as she bent the ground beneath the opponents’ still upraised foot through her zord.
“Even three attack bots weren’t enough,” mused Azula as they watched their robots explode into a million pieces, get sliced in half expertly and be crushed into a little ball.
“No matter,” said Azulon. “It is time that I start my plans to take this world for our own. The data gathered over time was most helpful, and we were able to discover the location of some of the worlds most sacred places.”
“How will that help us to defeat the Power Rangers great one?” inquired Ozai.
“The Rangers are but of a nusance to me,” rumbled the virus. “The true enemy is the Avatar. And I intend to win the battle—and end the line of Avatars once and for all.”
Zuko sat by his mother’s bed, clasping her hand. “Mom….”
“Any change?” asked Katara as she walked into the room.
“None, but the doctors are doing the best they can. It’s just that… well, they removed most of her cybernetic implants but she just can’t remember. She’s polite and she’s everything I remember about her but…!”
“She’s not your mother, I get it.” Said Katara.
“I also heard from Sokka what happened to yours. I’m sorry.”
Katara forced a lump down her throat. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Looking up, she added, “Hey I’m going to get a green tea smoothie. You want me to bring you a peach one?”
“Make it two,” replied Zuko. “Mom loves peaches.”
“All right.”
Leaving the room, Katara sighed as she made her way through the hospital and down out through the exit where Aang and Sokka were waiting for her. “No change,” she said.
“That’s too bad. She’s a nice lady and all.” Sokka looked at his sister. “You okay?”
“I will be soon. Hey, isn’t Doctor Toph supposed to be here?” inquired Katara.
“She said she had some catching up to do with Ty Lee and Mai. Something about checking out something they hid a long time ago as kids.” Said Aang. “What do you think it could be?”
“Maybe some kind of treasure?” mused Sokka. “Then again, I can’t believe they’re all geniuses.”
“They really don’t look like it, Ty Lee and Mai I mean. Well, Mai more than Ty Lee considering how BUBBLY the girl is.” Agreed Katara. “C’mon, lets get smoothies. I promised Zuko I’ll get him two.”
“But he’s only got the stomach for one, and he hates peach,” said Aang, confused.
“It’s for his mom Aang,” said Sokka and Aang understood.
As they headed to the car, Aang added, “Can we go see Appa? I understand you guys don’t want me to bring him home but…”
Katara smiled and Sokka nodded. “Yeah, lets go see Appa. Said Katara.
A bowl of rice plopped down next to Doctor Toph’s computer as Mai commanded, “Eat.”
“Can’t. I’m working on this—hey!” She scrabbled for the VR visor but Mai held it out of range. “Mai give it back!”
“No. Not until you eat something. You’ve been working for almost three days on it,” said Mai.
“Yeah, and that much stress is bad for your aura,” pointed out Ty Lee who was doing some flexibility exersizes that she claimed kept her mind working. “It’s all a muddy earth brown.”
“I’m an earthbender, of course it’s muddy brown,” replied Toph. Relenting, she took a handful of rice and munched on it.
Mai gave Toph one of her rare few head-pats and sat down before picking up her own chopsticks and rice. “You know,” she said, delicately eating a few grains, “Why don’t you spend more time with your team on the field? Back in the day you used to get into fights with everyone.”
“Time’s tempered my, well, temper,” repied Toph as she munched noisily on her food.
“I don’t think so,” replied Ty Lee, bending into a nearly painful looking pose. “I mean you’ve got your patience still, but your temper’s just as hot as ever.”
“It is not,” replied Toph sourly.
“Uh oh, there’s that sulk and pout again,” said Mai, a tiny smile on her face.
Toph rubbed her face, stuck out her tongue and made Ty Lee laugh.
After finishing her food, she held out a hand. “Visor.” Mai threw it like a knife and Toph caught it after so many years of practiced motions. Slipping it onto her eyes, a rush of information flooded back.
“So what are you looking for?” inquired Ty Lee after pulling herself out of a position that would be best described as Not Humanly Possible.
“More information. When I left, I used a spider-tracer to gather a bit more than I needed. Anything to give us an edge really,” replied Toph. “They’ve probably found my hack and are guarding against further incursions, so I need to be careful from now on.”
“I see.” Said Ty Lee. “What if you seguey a pattern of multiple frequencies, cause a massive DoS-type attack. In the ensuring chaos you could slip in and grab what you need.”
“If I had a hundred computers and a massive uplink to Azulon I would, but right now it’s not feasible. Maybe three years ago…” Toph shrugged. “They’re expecting that tactic anyhow.”
“Hmm…” Mai looked over Toph’s shoulder and pointed at a line of code. “Pause it.” Toph did so and she read it off. “Sozin’s Comet. What is that?”
“I’m not sure,” said Toph as she scanned the rest of the code. “There’s nothing.”
“Sozin’s Comet…” said Ty Lee, tapping her finger against her chin. “I remember this from history lessons. Wasn’t that the legendary comet that was said to be able to grant Firebenders superpowers? Like ten fold?”
“A hundredfold,” corrected Mai, realizing where they had heard it before. “They said that the last time they saw it, a war broke out. Fortunately it was quelled later on, due to the Avatar.”
“Yeah… so what do you think this reference could be?” mused Ty Lee. “Could the comet be coming back?”
“Referencing Star Charts and Maps.” Typing rapidly, Toph located her answer. “No. It can’t. Sozin’s Comet isn’t due to return for another hundred years. Actually a hundred and fourty years. By then, we’re either space dust, or a thriving super-civilization.”
“A thriving civilization with Firebenders and men and women with ambition.” pointed out Mai. “But that’s just me pointing out the obvious.”
“It must refer to a device then, but I’m finding no record of it,” mused Toph.
“Maybe shelve it for later? We still need to head out for a bit, do what we needed to get done since we were reunited.” Ty Lee said.
“As much as I hate to leave a mystery unsolved, you’ve got a point. All right; let’s table this for now. No sense getting worked up about it.” Hanging up her VR visor, Toph stretched. “I need a smoothie. And a walk.”
“Boring.” Stated Aang.
“Yep.” Said Sokka.
“Nothing to do.” Said Aang.
“Yep.” Said Sokka.
Katara sucked on her smoothie before offering one to Zuko who took it, but only took a small sip. “So um… Ursa is it? That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you dear,” smiled Ursa. “And you’re Katara right? That’s a pretty name too. Are you and young Zuko here dating?”
“He’s not my boyfriend!” exclaimed Katara hotly.
“She’s not my girlfriend!” proclaimed Zuko at the same time.
Ursa smiled as she giggled softly. Taking the smoothie, she sipped it. “Mmmm. Did you know that peaches come with a blessing? They say that a child found floating downstream in a peach blossom is a gift from the gods.”
“Really? I’ve never heard of that story before,” said Aang, perking up at the potential of a good story.
“Yes it is,” smiled Ursa. “Though I can’t remember any of it other than the description.”
“Oh, I see,” said Aang, disappointed.
Katara checked the clock, frowning a bit. “It’s strange,” she mused.
“What is it Katara?” asked Sokka.
“It’s been five days since you all came back, and another two since you left. Seven days and Azulon hasn’t attacked.” Mused Katara. “Might be my recently instilled sense of paranoia kicking in but…”
“No, I feel it too,” said Aang. “Lately I’ve been getting edgier, like something needs to be done. And lately I’ve been dreaming about Avatar Roku, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.”
“Well I for one am GLAD we have a small vacation. Heck, I’m sure the crazy cabbage guy is glad for it too!” stated Sokka.
“MY CABBAGES!” cried a voice from the window outside and everyone glanced outside to see the vendor chasing after the wagon that was rapidly zooming downhill, over a ledge and into an incinerator.
“Ooooooor maybe NOT,” drawled Sokka. “It’s all a matter of perspective.”
“It is good to see you back Chief Hakoda,” greeted General Iroh as the Water Tribesman walked into the command room.
“And you as well old friend,” said Hakoda, giving the large man a firm handshake. “When I was in the wastes, I always hoped I’d come back safe and sound.”
“For a while we belived you to be Missing in Action,” said Iroh. “But I am glad you proved us wrong. I hope your search was successful?’
“It was,” said Hakoda as he pulled out a new map of the world with several places circled. “Here and here, here and here. All of these marked locations are settlements, human settlements who have withstood the march of the machines. Also, there is a very LARGE bastion of people still remaining in the North Pole, as snow and ice are deadly against mechanical beings.”
“So…” mused Iroh as he gazed over the map. “You realize the signifigance of these locations.”
“Yes I do,” replied Hakoda. “Here, in the North Pole lays the Spirit Oasis. Over here is the Swamp, which shows you what needs to be done. Here and here are temples of Fire and Earth currently occupied by whatever remains of the populace in these areas. They too are major locations due to the proximity to the birthplace of the Avatar. And finally, here and here; these two parts near Ba Sing Se itself provide what we need to access the crystal mines below.”
“So then, we finally have it. A means to defend outselves by our own hands and gain troop strength and allies, all in the name of defeating the march of Azulon and his forces.” Iroh sighed. “It is a small hope, but now I know that it can be done with much work and a little luck.”
“What about the Rangers General?” inquired Hakoda. “Back then it was a pipe-dream. Now, I find myself with two children who are valiant heroes in the defense of Ba Sing Se.”
Iroh smiled. “I put my full trust in them Hakoda, as should you. In time they were learn however, that not ALL battles can be fought by them. This is merely a way to lighten THEIR load as well as ours.”
“In the meantime, I suggest we send a messenger to the Northern Water Tribe. If memory serves me correctly, Master Pakku of the Northern Water Tribe, their greatest waterbending master resides in the lower section of Ba Sing Se, teaching Katara of all people how to bend her element.”
“A bender in the family,” smiled Hakoda. “I wish I could have been there to help.”
“As do all fathers,” assured Iroh. “However, now is the time to make sure we can assist the Rangers, AND the Avatar. Even if he is determined to lighten his own load, there may be something that will force him to make a decision. And when that day comes old friend; I do hope he will make the right one.”
Hakoda. “By your leave.” Bowing, the man left and Iroh smiled before picking up his tea. Sipping it, he made a face. “Ugh! Cold tea…”
“I thought I’d find you here,” said Teo as he rolled down the stairs and into the Archivum. “Come to talk with your past self?”
“I wish,” replied Aang as he sat cross-legged as the glyphs beneath his feet spun under a clear-crystal floor. “When I try, it just gives me this automated voice. I can’t talk to Avatar Roku this way.”
“Maybe you’re not,” said Teo. “I mean, you’re the Avatar right? Shouldn’t you be able to talk to him at any point in time?”
“It doesn’t work that way,” said Aang, downcast. “I’ve been seeing him in my dreams but his voice is so quiet, I can hardly make it out.”
“You know, maybe you need to go somewhere that’s well, attuned, to Avatar Roku.” Mused Teo.
“Like where?”
“How about a temple? Like a Fire one?”
“Tried it. The place in town has like zero ambience and there’s this old batty monk who keeps glaring at me.” Said Aang.
“Hmm… didn’t you say you went to see Aunt Wu? How about her?”
“Hey you’re right! She WAS helpful before.” Jumping to his fee,t the glyphs turned off. “All right, I’ll do it. I’ll go and talk to Aunt Wu and brave that impossible line again!”
“Great! And before you go, mind pushing me up the stairs?”
Aang’s expression fell and he groaned. “All right. Hang on a sec.”
“Appa! I brought some berries for you!”
The massive Flying Bison rumbled as he opened his mouth and Aang threw him the berries which Appa ate. Patting his old friend on the nose, Aang hugged him. “Missed you buddy.”
Appa responded with a lick that stained Aang’s face purple and he laughed. “Missed those licks too. How’ve you been holding up?”
Appa rumbled in a pleased tone. “I’m glad Dock and his brothers have taken care of you. I’ll have to thank them later.”
Appa grumbled and nudged Aang and Aang patted his friend on the head. “I’d love to bring you back with me, but you wouldn’t fit in the garage, and the street outside of it isn’t a good place for a Sky Bison.” Appa shifted a little and Aang rubbed his nose. “It’ll be all right Appa. It’s like living in the Bison care center when we were little. I’ll be here every day and we’ll run missons together as Rangers. Okay?”
Appa rumbled and then looked to the sky. “Oh you mean the zord? Yeah, he’s like your brother actually. Or maybe your twin? I don’t get this DNA thing to be honest.”
Appa rumbled again, clearly satisfied with the statement. “All right, I’ll come back later buddy provided I’m not on call from an attack.” Appa licked Aang again and he smiled. “I know; hair on me looks weird too. But I kind of like it and I’ve started to grow it out again.” Appa replied and Aang chuckled. “I am NOT getting to be a lazy Avatar!”
“Having fun Series Yellow?” inquired Toph and Aang jumped a little. “Hello Appa.”
Appa made a pleased sound as she walked up, rubbed his nose and dumped two smoothies into his outstretched tongue. “Appa loves banana and grape,” she explained as she shook the contents of the containers she had. “Aang, I need to borrow Appa for a bit.”
“Why’s that?” inquired Aang.
“The girls and I are running a mission outside the dome. Just out to Lake Laogai.” Explained Toph. “We’ve left something there since the last time we were stuck in that facility.”
“I thought it was destroyed,” said Aang and Toph nodded. “But then how—?”
“I can earthbend and pull the paths and reconstruct it. It may take some time but we’ll be done in approximately six hours.” Said Toph. “Notify the rest of the Rangers for me. Mai, Ty Lee?”
“We’re here,” said Ty Lee as she carried a few picks and shovels for herself and the other girl.
“We ready to do this?” said Mai as she tightened her gloves. “Once we go, there’s no turning back.”
“I’m sure,” said Toph.
“W-Wait. Can I come with you three?” asked Aang and they looked at her. “I mean, well I haven’t flown with Appa for ages and I was just thinking that since I’ve been learning some earthbending I could give you a hand…”
Mai let out a tiny chuckle. “He’s earnest. This why you keep him around T?”
“Sorta. He’s baseline data for the Avatar,” smirked Toph and Aang made a face. “All right. But you’ve got to follow my lead. Call the others too and make certain that they understand this is a four-man mission.”
“Got it.” As Aang pulled out his morpher, Ty Lee looked over at Toph and whispered, “Hey T? Why ARE you bringing him? This was supposed to be a all girls thing.”
“If there’s one thing Series Yellow has taught me, it’s that there is never anything that happens due to coincidence but destiny. As a scientist I should scoff at it, but as a friend I can’t help but wonder how the Avatar is going to restore balance to this world. Call it a passing fancy.” Toph turned away and clambered aboard Appa before anyone could see the blush on her face.
“This facility dates back nearly a hundred years,” said Toph as she and Aang earthbent their way through the tunnels, clearing debris and reinforcing the broken structure. “It used to be a secret place made for the Earth King in case of invasion of Ba Sing Se. But since then, the purpose of it was changed.”
“Men in black suits just came by one day to our homes, myself and Ty Lee,” continued Mai in that train of thought. “They said we were gifted, and took us away from our families in the dead of night.”
“Here we were forced to develop technologies for “the good of mankind”,” said Ty Lee, holding up a flashlight as they broke into the main structure of the underground base. Water sloshed around but the walls were sturdy. “Mai is a genius of mathematics, while I’m more of the weapons developer.”
“Ty Lee likes things that goes boom,” put in Mai and the girl with the braid giggled, rubbing her head.
“So if you were abducted for math, and Ty Lee for her explosives, then what was Doctor Toph abducted for?” asked Aang.
Toph shoved her hand forward, earthbending a chunk of stone to stop a large leak. “Everything else. When they found me, I had escaped my folks, and was drawing complex diagrams on the pavement. I could only see where my sense of touch was showing, but something about it apparently made them target me. Days later I was being held here; in the Alphabet Soup complex.”
“Ty Lee and I were introduced to her. Back then, T had undergone so much conditioning to the men and women working the Alphabet Soup project, that she had forgotten even her own name. Ty Lee and I held onto ours stubbornly, especially after Ty Lee threatened to blow up the lab.”
“I almost made a few go pop,” admitted Ty Lee.
“That’s so sad. To be dragged away from the people who loved you…” said Aang, his expression downcast. “Did your parents manage to escape to Ba Sing Se?’
“Yes, but we haven’t let them know,” replied Ty Lee. “Mai and I like our freedom.”
“Found it.” Announced Toph and the four walked over. “Keys.”
Mai and Ty Lee pulled out keys and Toph slotted both of them before adding a third to the box. Opening it one key at a time, the hiss of air rushing in was heard. “Vacuum sealed,” explained Toph to Aang. “Here we are…”
“When we were escaping the attack on the facility, Mai and I went back for these things,” said Ty Lee, picking up what looked like a joystick and tucking it into her waistband as Mai did the same. “But we were forced to leave them here since we realized we needed T’s key as well.”
“But what are they?” asked Aang.
“Seriously, you don’t notice a morpher when you see it Series Yellow?” snorted Toph and Aang blinked rapidly in surprise.
“Series Gold and Series Silver,” said Mai. “They’re designed for us, myself and Ty Lee. Replicated from the originals, it was an attempt to develop as much firepower as we could in order to escape.”
“I see,” said Aang. Just then, his morpher chimed. “Aang here.”
“We’ve finally got our attack,” said Katara and the sound of an explosion close by. “Looks like Azulon threw three attack bots at us. Command tower confirms them all as Generation 15.”
“Looks like we get to test out our stuff,” said Ty Lee as Aang confirmed they were en route. “It’s a go for boom time!”
“SAWS! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SAWS!” cried out Sokka as he dodged wildly and was knocked backwards. Rolling to his feet, Hakoda covered his son with a laser rifle.
Emptying his clip into the saw bot, Zuko swooped in to intercept it as Hakoda pulled his son to his feet. “Stay focused Sokka,” instructed Hakoda.
“Got it. To your left!” Activating his own blaster, Sokka whipped his arm around his father, firing at the rake bot that was sneaking up on them.
Katara pulled water from the fountain and wrapped it around the flame bot which blasted fire from the tubes on its arms. Making a motion, she encased it in ice.
“That will not hold for long,” said Iroh as he prepared another volley. True enough, the flame bot broke free in a burst of flames directed at the group. Iroh intercepted it with a chopping motion as he barked into his earpiece. “Flight 2, you are a go!”
From the buildings, the second Flight rained fire and stone down upon the bots. Hakoda smiled. “Just like old times, huh Iroh?”
“Indeed. Though I think I’m getting too old to be on the battlefield,” chuckled the elderly man. “Though for now, let us stop messing around.”
Hakoda nodded as he pulled out a small cylinder that hung at his belt. It telescoped out to a traditional Water Tribe Spear as he and Iroh charged the saw bot. The saw bot met them, sparks flying from where the spinning blades met Hakoda’s spear. Undaunted, Hakoda drove his spear into its left eye and the saw bot stumbled in time for Iroh to swing in with a fire-laden punch that knocked it across the battlefield.
“Whoa,” said Zuko who had managed to knock down the rake bot with his own set of bending. “Look at them go.”
“I guess that’s why they’re the best,” said Sokka. “Man do I feel underwhelmed.”
“Eyes front you two!” snapped Katara as she re-engaged the flame bot who fired more projectiles at her.
The flame bot finally had enough of the benders on the rooftops and started firing at them. The waterbenders scrambled to douse the flames as Iroh barked into his headset. “Flight 2, fall back! Don’t give them a target!”
“Behind you!” Iroh turned a little too late as the saw bot got up and was swinging at his neck.
Suddenly, a wave of rocks slammed into the saw bot and it was thrown to the side. Doctor Toph smirked as she lowered her hands. “Looks like you need some help,” she said as she produced her Engine Cell.
“About time you guys got back!” snapped Sokka.
“Sorry. We had to park Appa a block away,” said Aang, rubbing his head.
“And believe me, a Flying Bison double-parks,” added Ty Lee.
“Whatever. Let’s just get this done with.” Finished Mai as she produced an Engine Cell.
“A.D.S.! Max Drive!” chorused the four and in a blast of light, four Rangers stood there. The familiar forms of Yellow and Green were apparent but the suits that Mai and Ty Lee wore were a glittering gold color and a glowing silver.
“Lets go,” said Mai and Ty Lee charged at the front of the pack as Aang and Toph took up the middle, bending stone and air around themselves as they reinforced Katara with the flame bot. Mai hung to the back and several sets of small knives snapped into her hands, glowing with golden light.
The battle which had been seriously one-sided for the defenders quickly turned into a a massacre for the good guys. With the exceptionall coordination of the group at large, each bot was destroyed quickly and effectively.
As the last bot fell riddled with daggers, Sokka started counting out loud. “Three… two…”
But before he could get to one, the remains of the bots grew. “Nuts,” said Sokka. “I was hoping I was going to be right this time.”
“Downmorphing Zords,” commanded Katara and the battle vehicles exploded into view.
“Rangers,” said Toph as she input a command on her wrist-mounted computer. “I’ve entered a new Megazord configuration into the system. Also Ty Lee, Mai. I’ve given you guys the chance to combine your zords as well.”
“Sweet. Downmorphing Zords!” commanded Ty Lee as she and Mai entered their own vehicles.
“Combining Bison Fortress Megazord,” commanded Katara as their zords linked together.
“Executing State-Breaker Megazord sequence,” reported Mai as her zord begun the interlink process with Ty Lee’s own.
Soon, two massive robots stood in the middle—the titanic sized Bison Fortress with its weapons gleaming in the sun, and the new State-Breaker Megazord which appeared to be more of a samurai of legend with overtones of the Mongoose Dragon and Komodo Rhino in it.
“Downmorphing Badger Mole,” commanded Toph and a truly huge Badger Mole appeared. Leaping into the cockpit, Toph synchronized with the machine. “Beginning A.D.S. Max Megazord configuration sequence.”
The Badger Mole swung upright as parts unfolded from it. Arms and legs and the thick back spun on its arm as a weapon. A face flipped from the head and Toph smiled. “You guys aren’t the only one with a zord.”
“… where DO you get the time to make all of our cool toys?” inquired Sokka moments before they pushed the Bison Fortress into battle.
“I call dibs on the rake bot,” called out Ty Lee as she and Mai’s zord drew a giant katana, stancing with two fingers lining up their opponent. Ty Lee grinned and waggled the fingers, egging the rake bot on who obliged willingly.
“That leaves me with hot feet here,” smirked Toph as her zord assumed her unique stance. The flame bot and her faced off and the flame bot lifted a foot—and Toph took her chance as she bent the ground beneath the opponents’ still upraised foot through her zord.
“Even three attack bots weren’t enough,” mused Azula as they watched their robots explode into a million pieces, get sliced in half expertly and be crushed into a little ball.
“No matter,” said Azulon. “It is time that I start my plans to take this world for our own. The data gathered over time was most helpful, and we were able to discover the location of some of the worlds most sacred places.”
“How will that help us to defeat the Power Rangers great one?” inquired Ozai.
“The Rangers are but of a nusance to me,” rumbled the virus. “The true enemy is the Avatar. And I intend to win the battle—and end the line of Avatars once and for all.”