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ATLA, In A Darker World: 55 Trial? Or Not?
🕑 Added 2024-12-11 22:35:45 +0000 UTCThank you all for giving me time to adjust. By God's grace, update schedule will return to normal.
.......
Southern Earth Kingdom
Kolau Mountain Range
Omashu.
It was said to be an Earth Kingdom Fortress city second in grandeur and immensity only when compared to Ba Sing Se.
When other areas existed such as the Fire Nation Royal Palace and the mighty Agna Qel'a of the Water Tribe capital, such a statement was testament to the city's fame.
This could also be attributed to the fact that this glorious city had resisted the siege of the Fire Nation for nearly a hundred years.
Luca had seen Omashu.
Of course, that was in his last life.
That however was in the cartoon series. Real life was the exception.
A bustling mountain city in the center of a mountain range yet housing such a large population was something Luca had to see for himself.
Hence, despite being hauled off to uncertainty with binding chains, he still had a trace of expectation hidden within the depths of his eyes.
And so, the rest of the journey was silent as they transversed rocky terrain, steep hills and deep ravines, all the way to reach the city's outer border.
Throughout the Journey, Luca had played the part of a cooperative prisoner.
Being silent and only speaking when being spoken to. The soldiers themselves didn't seem to be the chatty types, so the journey was quite peaceful the rest of the way.
Of course, peaceful was for those who didn't understand.
Luca was different.
He speculated that their silence might also be due to the rising tension the closer they got to their destination.
Mingxia frowned.
'Are they worried we will pull off some sort of escape attempt?'.
She could feel the attention of the soldiers increase greatly. She didn't know why, but she was trained after all.
These subtleties were things the rest of her group would never notice.
Luca however, thought differently.
The soldiers were vigilant, but a high part of that vigilance wasn't for them. Instead, they were scanning the surroundings.
'Why, though? Isn't it safer the closer they get?'
He thought with a raised eyebrow.
“We're here”. However, a call from the leading soldier interrupted his thoughts.
Luca looked ahead. The captain nodded before turning around to look at them.
“Huh?” Meilin, who was in a daze, exclaimed in confusion.
“You've been asking when we were going to get there. Well, here we are”.
The ostrich horses rode to the top of a small hill. Following which, everyone's eyes widened. As in the distance was …
“.... The Earth Kingdom City Of Omashu".
(And cue Avatar upbeat soundtrack)
Far in the distance, was a wide gorge. And at its center was their destination.
“So … This is it”. Mingxia uttered.
A tall mountain peak, with multiple buildings made of solid earth. Walls taller than that of Haican, standing alone surrounded by several mountains yet stood taller than everything else.
“I've never seen anything like this back on Kyoshi Island”.
Luca's gaze was similarly on the city.
The appreciation in his eyes, lasting for barely a few moments before being covered up.
A path connected them from their positions to the city itself. The ostrich horses trudged forward on the somewhat narrow pathway that was carved into the mountainside. Narrow enough to force single-file travel but wide enough to accommodate the convoy's ostrich horses. Below, the path lay a sheer drop into the rocky abyss, where jagged boulders jutted out like the teeth of some ancient beast. The wind howled through the gorge, carrying with it the faint echoes of Omashu's bustling life far in the distance.
Luca’s gaze lingered on the city as they descended the path, his mind racing with possibilities. He still found it surreal. The cartoon he'd watched in his past life had captured the grandeur of Omashu, but the reality far surpassed it. The towering walls, the intricately designed ramps, and the visible movement of people and cargo made it clear—this was no mere fortress; it was a living, breathing heart of the Earth Kingdom.
Despite his awe, he suppressed any outward reaction, maintaining the facade of indifference. His chains rattled slightly as the ostrich horse he rode shifted, its talons clicking against the rocky trail.
In no time, we arrived at the gates. Three Earthbenders stood guard in front.
They recognized Boqin at first sight.
“Captain Boqin".
The man nodded.
“Prisoners to stand trial. Open the gates”.
RUMBLE!
There was no protocol to carry out extensive search of whoever entered. At least it looked that way from Luca's perspective.
And so, the first gate was opened before their eyes. Then the second …. And third.
The ostrich horses trudged in without delay. Once the walls closed behind them, the soldiers consequently dismounted.
Compared to the deserted outer path, the inside of the city was much more lively than the outside. The first major location upon entering Omashu was the Market consisting of several shops, restaurants, and stands.
The winding streets stretched before them, bustling with life as merchants bartered and children rushed through the crowd.
Luca kept his head low, glancing at the others as they trudged down under the watchful eyes of their escorts.
The ostrich horses had been left behind and the chains restricting their movements had been taken away. Now aside from the ones cuffing their hands behind their backs, everywhere else was given freedom of movement.
The soldier leading them was still Captain Boqin. He walked with efficiency, his hand never straying far from his sides.
“Now that you are in Omashu, let me make some things clear …". He began. “You are all about to stand trial in the court of His Majesty, King Bumi under charges of Partial Destruction of an Earth Kingdom Stronghold, Suspicion of false identity, suspicion of release of false information, and the murder of several Earth Kingdom soldiers ….”.
His words made everyone's faces changed drastically. To make matters worse, he wasn't done.
“.... Among which one holds the rank of Captain and the main position as the general overseer of Haican".
Their faces paled.
“That isn't what happened”. Mingxia uttered.
She could see the fear surfacing on their faces. Ever the diplomat, she had to do something.
“We were trying to save lives. To stop countless others from being sold to the fire nation….”.
Her voice was incredibly firm.
“So you say”. Meeting her gaze, Boqin snorted.
Talking more was useless, as at this point, it didn't matter. He had read the reports from the soldiers who initially accompanied them.
The second tunnel used for the transportation had been blown up by these kids. Even for Earthbenders, verifying where it led would take time.
The captain and his men were dead. Not even their corpses could be recovered.
In the case of no direct evidence, these kids had nothing to back up their words concerning their actions. However, it was basically confirmed that they had killed earth kingdom soldiers and destroyed a portion of an Earth Kingdom stronghold.
In the time of war, such actions in this world was enough to get the death sentence. As if they were mistaken, the Fire Nation could use this chance to attack the stronghold while it was weak, chaotic, and divided.
Juvenile or not, it mattered little.
Just from how Zuko's own father readily scarred him without compassion, the concept of minors should be tolerated was practically nonexistent.
Boqin knew it. The lives of these kids would depend directly on the mood of the King. Nothing else was relevant.
“I'll give you some advice. Pray. Pray to the spirits that the King is in a better mood to give you time to verify your story”.
Those were his last words before he continued walking.
Flanked from all directions by Earth Kingdom soldiers, they could only follow.
Dandan frowned, his voice sounding out in a whisper. “He doesn't believe us”.
Everyone else had worried expressions. Peng especially. “Are we really going to make it out of here?”
Everyone's initial hope of clearing their names started to sink.
“Yes we will”. Mingxia cut in forcefully.
“Don't lose hope. We were doing the right thing. King Bumi will definitely see it that way”. She couldn't let their hopes fall.
Not here, not now. Especially when she was the reason they were here in the first place.
And so, despite her hands being chained, her face lit up with the best natural smile she could muster.
“Everything will be ok”.
Luca at the back of the group, raised an eyebrow.
'Will he though?'
Luca could clearly understand the situation from the captain's words.
The words of several kids were worthless. Without solid evidence, it all basically rested on Bumi's final decision.
But pleading their case all depended on them getting to the royal palace.
And fate didn't seem to want to go that way.
Their journey upward to the top of the Omashu was brought to a halt by the arrival of another squad of soldiers.
“Halt”.
A man at their head barked. Tall, burly and full of imposing authority.
Boqin frowned, sensing something was wrong. The man before him wasn't a captain, nor was he of higher rank.
On the contrary, he was just a measly lieutenant. His uniform said it all.
“Lieutenant Hou". Boqin said. “Tell me what is the meaning of this?”
Hou stepped forward. Bearing a sealed scroll bearing the royal insignia.
“Orders from the Grand Advisor to King Bumi himself. I have been authorized to take charge of these prisoners from your hands”.
“What?”
Seven simultaneous 'What's' emerged. All from Mingxia, Dandan, Fenfang, Peng, Meilin, Miss Aya and Boqin.
Luca, alongside Boqin's men were the exceptions.
The latter because it was not in their place to speak out, and the former because.....
'…. Well, that wasn't surprising'.
He truly wasn't taken aback. Not even slightly.
Their travel had been too smooth. Too easy.
Frankly speaking, Luca had been expecting an attack on their lives during their time on the road. Perhaps a soldier in the group would try to silence them secretly.
He had kept his guard up at all times just to prevent such a possibility. The result?
Nothing happened on the road. Of course, just because it's late doesn't mean it won't come at all.
For the current development, Luca wasn't surprised, but that doesn't mean everyone was like him.
At least, captain Boqin was feeling the exact opposite. His brows furrowed inexplicably as he took the scroll and opened it. Its contents led him to frown deeper.
Hou ignored this.
“The king is occupied with critical matters. Therefore, the monarch will not be presiding over this trial, neither will it take place at the royal palace”.
Mingxia's eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? Where are we supposed to go then?”
Hou ignored her, addressing Boqin instead. “The Grand Advisor will preside over the trial. I have been instructed to take custody of the prisoners and escort them to the designated location”.
Boqin stiffened, his eyes flickering on the scroll. “That is not the directive I received. My orders were to deliver them directly to the king”.
“And now those orders have changed”. Hou's voice grew sharp. Cutting through the murmurs of the gathered soldiers.
He held the scroll higher.
“Do you mean to go against the Grand Advisor?”
The man hesitated. Visibly uncomfortable from the unexpected turn of events.
Fenfang tugged at Meilin's clothes.
“... What's… what's happening?” The girl was confused, and a little scared.
Meilin, whose clothes were tugged at, frowned slightly. Ever since the Haican incident, the relationship between the two girls had soured.
“Fen. It's.".
“Us getting screwed is what's happening”.
Luca interrupted Dandan, who wanted to explain in Meilin's stead, apathetically.
“But my speculations aren't just speculations anymore now, are they blue boy?”
“You …". The Waterbender was upset. He hated that nickname. Meilin hadn't stopped, now another asshole was catching on.
“Alright”. Unfortunately, his anger was cut short at the sound of Boqin's reluctant agreement.
“Splendid”. Hou smiled brightly.
“Now then. Come with me”. Luca's group changed hands. From one guard group to another. Unfortunately, their situation hadn't gotten any better.
“This doesn't feel right”.
Luca didn't respond.
.....
[The Detour]
The streets grew quieter as they moved away from the palace. What had once been a lively cityscape faded into narrower alleys and abandoned courtyards?
Everyone's steps faltered. Clearly realizing that very soon, something bad was going to happen.
“This doesn't look like a trial venue”.
Dandan spoke nervously.
The group continued to move forward. Luca's gaze swept in all directions.
He could see the soldiers tense. Their arms not far from their weapons.
“.... Are we going to be out in jail?” Fenfang asked. No one replied to her.
They came to a stop in a deserted quarry on the ends of the backside of the city.
Huo turned, his expression cold.
“This … Is as far as you go”.
The sound of blades being drawn from their sheaths made the atmosphere freeze. The group now carried frightened expressions at the sight of the guards arming themselves.
Mingxia's face changed drastically. Her worst fears had come true.
“What is the meaning of this? This isn't what we were told. We demand to see the Grand Advisor!”
Too bad. What responded to her was Huo's dark chuckle.
“Haven't you figured it out yet little girl?” His eyes gleamed with ferocity. “There is no trial. No Advisor to see you. This … will be your burial ground”.
Whatever hope was left was crushed then and there.
“But … This is … This shouldn't …". Dandan spoke Incoherently.
“We are innocent”.
“Exactly. You know too much, and someone doesn't want you to live to tell the tale”.
And so, the soldiers encircled the group, weapons drawn.
'Here we go again'.
Comments
Future
That's true. Read the new chapter
omiguh
I’m trying to remember but did any of the refugees ever actually make it to the city or did they all die or get captured? Because if some made it then then there should be a lot evidence to at least be suspicious
