Book 3: STONE

CHAPTER 20:

THE END OF THE WAR

The day was dark as the king sat upon his throne, a hand lifted to his head as he looked over his son. He was covered in dirt and his hair had grown out. "So, you faked your death." His father said in a cold voice. "You let this war continue just because you did not want to face the consequences of your actions."

"Father, I did it out of love." Shu pleaded. "I love her. I want to be with her. Didn't you ever feel that way?"

"Yes, I have." His father admitted. "I loved your mother very much. But I knew who I could love. You could have done the same. Are you trying to say that there is no woman in Kilmojo worthy of being loved?"

"No." Shu said as he walked forward, his hands still bound in heavy chains. "There are many eligible women in Kilmojo, but my heart was lost to Pathigo's gem."

"I will not sit here and listen to this!" his father said, rising angrily from his throne. "You went AWOL, disobeyed an official order, and now you will pay the price!"

"Are you trying to tell me that you are truly happy killing me?" Shu screamed as he moved forward quickly, men grabbing him around the shoulders to keep him back. "I saw you the day they took me to those barracks. The barracks that now stand empty! You couldn't bear to see it. Don't tell me now that you want this."

"Take him away! Take him out of my sight!" the king shouted as both fury and sadness clashed inside of him. He turned his face as it grew to a dark red. Shu was forcibly dragged out of the hall, his father turning to hide his tears.

The reserve troops marched back into camp, the ships having docked up the river near Kilmojo. Dueno stood by; instructing the inmates on what would be required of them. "Well, that was an almost complete waste." Mizu said as she rubbed her head, walking back to where Aer, Jip, and Kizu sat.

"Mizu!" Jip said as her eyes became as large as dinner plates. The biggest smile she had ever had stretched across her face and she rushed forward and grabbed Mizu around he middle. "You're alive!"

"Yes…I am." Mizu said as she hugged her back, not knowing how to really respond to the comment. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"But you were hit in the chest with an arrow." Jip said as she looked up at Mizu, trying to take in every detail she could get. "And then that eel thing attacked you and…and…"

"Oh, right." Mizu said as she remembered the incident up north. "I recovered after that. With a little help from the enemy."

"What?" Jip asked; her eyebrows contracting as she tried to wrap her mind around everything that had happened since her incarceration.

"I'll tell you about it later." Mizu said as she patted her on the shoulder. "Now, I have someone that I have to see, desperately." Mizu walked off and into the only clean white tent they had on the front lines.

There were a couple chairs and a large table that held bottles of herbs and medicine and a large bowl of water for Mizu. Hitori had been moved up to the tent for better care since the hospital was no longer structurally sound.

Mizu looked down upon her patient, still in her coma. "Spring's been here for almost two months and you never got to enjoy it." Mizu said quietly as she summoned a large bubble of water to her hands and ran it again over Hitori's forehead and temples. She then shifted the water down over Hitori's heart and spread it around to the neck as usual.

She let the water splash back down into the bowl. She placed her hands on her head and sunk down into a chair. "What healer am I?" Mizu asked herself as she tried to choke back the tears of failure. "I can't bring her out of it and I can't heal Kan's scar. And I invented this!"

"What?" was the feeble voice that Mizu heard. Hitori was turning her head slowly on the cot.

"You're awake!" Mizu shouted as she got to her feet and ran over, pulling Hitori into a hug.

"I am?" Hitori managed to stammer. "Then, where am I? What happened to Baas?" Hitori began to ask as shock over took her.

"Your convoy was attacked." Mizu explained to her. "You were the only survivor. You've been in a coma for all this time."

"In a…do you mean…" Hitori began as her pupils enlarged. Mizu decided to try and put her back to sleep before she had a nervous breakdown. In that instant Kizu walked into the tent.

"Hitori! You're awake!" Kizu shouted as he rushed forward and also pulled Hitori into a hug.

"Kizu!" Hitori shouted in joy, finally seeing a face that she recognized. "Who is she and what am I really doing here?"

"Oh, Hitori, you've been in a coma or some time now." Kizu explained to her. "This is Mizu, one of the original members of our group. She left before you and the other benders joined."

"Oh yes…the other benders. Prodito." Hitori breathed hard, her mood swing setting in. "He and the others…they…"

"Yes, they what?" Kan said as he stood shadowed in the doorway, his mask sitting lopsided upon his face. Hitori looked over at him.

"Kan! I missed you so much. We all did." Hitori said as she almost jumped out of the cot had Kizu and Mizu not kept her down.

"Hitori, what happened at Ba Sing Se?" Kan asked her, breathing hard. He leaned down to her level, causing Mizu and Kizu to shrink away from him.

"The army invaded and the fight continued for days. We thought you might be somewhere near but we couldn't find out how to contact you. We were confined to some apartments, creating tunnels to get around and hide from the rouge benders." Hitori explained as another mood swing set in. "We were so lost without you, or Aer, or Kizu. We barely survived but we all eventually banded together and destroyed the army. And then the fighting resumed and…"

"And what?" Kan hissed as he bent in even closer.

"Kan, I suggest we let her rest." Mizu said as she tucked Hitori in, Hitori's eyes wide and darting in every direction. "She just came out of it and all this questioning isn't good for her already screwed up mind.

Kan shoved Mizu aside, knocking her to the ground and grabbed Hitori roughly by the shoulders. "Tell me what happened to my city!" Kan shouted as Hitori recoiled herself, beginning to whimper like a small child.

"That will be enough, Kan." Dueno said as he appeared with his aide. Kan spun around, his mask falling off and the usual gasp of horror coming from Dueno's aide.

"What's the matter?" Kan said as he strode up angrily to the man. "Afraid of what a real warrior does?"

"Kan, please return to the bender patrol." Dueno said, avoiding the scar. "We want to start the strike soon. And if you could send Aer in here as well, we have a request from a dying man."

Kan bowed and left in a huff. Dueno turned to Kizu and Mizu who was putting Hitori back to sleep. "Well, she is awake?" Dueno asked with care.

"Yes, finally." Mizu confirmed. "But I don't advise giving her any sudden shocks like Kan just did."

"It never even crossed my mind." Dueno said as he strode forward, looking down at the patient. "I wanted to make sure that you and Kizu were ready for the final strike. I want you two somewhere in the battle. Benders will be an important asset to the strike."

"Yeah, we will be there." Kizu said as he gave a salute to his leader. Dueno returned the gesture and left. As he walked outside he saw Aer walking over to him.

"You needed me?" Aer asked as she gave a salute to the leader of the army.

"Yes. I have a mission for you." Dueno responded. He bowed his head slightly and then decided to give Aer the news. "As you know, Prince Shu has been captured and is sentenced to death. In a last act of kindness, his father has allowed him one wish. He asked that he see his lover, Oma, again."

"And why does this include me?" Aer asked cautiously.

"Well, as you know, Oma is the daughter of the governor of Pathigo." Dueno said. "And she was recently recaptured when we also retrieved Prince Shu. Your task is to enter the mansion where she is being held and release her and bring her back here so that Shu can get his last wish."

"All this for one final request?" Aer asked stunned at this news. The catapults were dragged into position as they moved along with the infantry towards the cherry blossom mountain.

"The king wants to make sure that his son has no qualms about him in the afterlife." Dueno reasoned as he turned and left. But he knew the real reason. It was a father's first effort to show love to his only son.

Shishou stood at the front of his army. He held his sword at his side as he peered up at the mountain with its two cherry blossom trees at the tip. "The mountain is a perfect position to enter Kilmojo itself and end this war. The heathens will fall and all their pro bending ways as well."

"We are ready to follow you anywhere." His thugs said as the catapults were readied and some small canons were put in position. Shishou laughed and gave a sly smile.

"And I'll have a beautiful bride waiting for me when I get back." Shishou said as he gave another wicked laugh. It was then that he heard it. A distant rumbling. "They wouldn't." Shishou said as he realized what was happening. "All units forward!"

The troops began to run up the steep hill as some men from Kilmojo's army appeared at the top of the hill. "CHARGE!" Shishou shouted as the cannons began to boom and the catapults let loose their rocks.

Men were already clashing, swords and rocks colliding. Kan and the patrol of benders appeared on a high ledge on the mountain, raining fire and rocks down upon Pathigo's army. Shishou lifted his shield, deflecting a large boulder aimed at the catapult behind him.

Oma could hear the large explosions from her cell deep in the bowels of her house. "Oh no!" she said in her delicate voice. There were no windows to look out of and she began to worry. "What if I never do see Shu again?" Oma said as she slumped onto the dirty bench in her cell. She dropped her head, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "All the things I could have said to him. All the moments we will never share." Oma said as she tried to wipe a tear away.

Aer had gone through the south, landing on one of the tall mountains behind Oma's mansion. Aer gripped her staff tightly as she leapt down and into the garden. She ran quietly through the stone courtyard and ran up the stairs and slipped through the door. The mansion was rocked by a large explosion as the catapults began firing into the town down in the valley.

Pathigo's canons were wedged in a small alcove of rocks on the mountain, blowing line after line of soldiers away. Men were falling through the air and the dirt and dust clouded the sky that it was impossible to breathe.

Shu stood on his platform, able to see the men fight on the outer edge of town, just past the castle. Many of the citizens had already packed their supplies and were gathered around just to see the event. The rope had been slipped over Shu's neck, waiting to tighten.

The king sat in his high backed chair, waiting for the execution to begin. "Father, you still won't think of letting me live?" Shu asked as he stared down at his father. The man turned away again, concentrating on a pebble on the ground. He lifted his hand and brought it down lazily.

The executioner nodded and stepped towards the lever that would release the trap door. Shu's eyes widened and sweat began to form on his brow. "Wait! Before you pull that lever and send me to my death, think first." Shu pleaded. "If you let me die than you also kill everyone else that has ever loved someone. You stand there and say that love cannot exist in this world. You would kill your own son, who is finally happy for the first time in his life, just because of what his heart tells him? If that is how this spirit forsaken town will be then fine. Send me to my death. Break the heart that was once pure with your evils of war and murder."

The king looked away again and bit his lip so that a single tear fell from his eye. The executioner continued to the lever and gripped it tightly in his hands. He brought it down and the trap door opened.

Shu moved his head up, a pillar of earth appearing underneath him and saving his life. He jumped up and kicked his legs out. The platform was demolished by a display of earthbending. Shu fell back to the ground, the noose now hanging limp around his neck. He took off on a large wave of earth, heading straight for his rendezvous.

The king stumbled to his feet, dirt smeared over his fine robes. "My son…I'm sorry." The king said softly as he watched his son disappear.

Aer descended into the dark depths of the cellar, now transfigured into a foreboding dungeon. "Oma." Aer called quietly as she searched the bars on the door as she tried to find out where her target was being kept.

"Is someone there?" Oma asked as she got up in her tattered robes and rushed to the window of her cell. Aer rushed to the woman.

"I take it that you are Oma." Aer said as she shifted her staff to the other side and placed a hand over the lock on the door.

"Yes. Why do you look for me?" Oma asked the strange girl.

"I was sent to get you for Shu." Aer replied as she tried to bend air into the lock.

"Shu! He is alive!" Oma said joyfully.

"Well, for a little bit anyway." Aer said as she became frustrated with the lock. "This is tougher than you'd think. Maybe if I just…"

"Duck!" Oma shouted. Aer spun around and ducked as advised. The hammer collided with the iron door, leaving a dent and sending Oma onto the ground. Aer grabbed her staff and pushed the thug off of her and spun it around behind her. The thug retaliated, the hammer now held firmly in his grip.

He took a wild swing at Aer and she dodged it easily. She caught him in a current of air and flipped him over. He hit the ground with a large boom and Aer bent down to grab the key ring on his belt. "Thank you." Aer said politely. She placed a small key into the padlock and the door snapped open. Oma rushed out. "Now, I suggest that we leave the back way." Aer said as she grabbed her staff and moved up the corridor.

There was an angry shout from behind as the thug got up and flung a large torture rack at them. Aer caught it on a cushion of air and was thrown backwards. Oma grew an angry look upon her face and forced some earth up into the corridor. She trapped the man's feet in it and then shot him backwards with a large boulder to his chest.

The thug flew back into the open cell and fell to the ground. Oma slammed the door shut and turned to look at the stunned Aer. "Yeah, I can do that." Oma said firmly as they raced back up the dark stairs and into the even darker mansion. A large section of the front of the mansion had been blown away by the catapults and the war could be seen clearly.

Some of the men had poured into the city, fighting among the stalls as shirshous ran rampant among the streets along with komodo rhinos. "This doesn't look good." Aer observed as she stared at the mass destruction. "We better…" Aer began as she turned to go out the back.

But Oma was gone, running through the hole and sprinting towards the mountaintop.

Kilmojo wasn't much better. Some of Pathigo's fighters had entered the tunnels under the mountain and were pouring into Kilmojo, cutting them off from the back.

Kizu shot a couple of men backwards with a concentrated earthbending move and then blocked a sword swing by a very angry soldier. Kizu turned and almost lost his head to a heavy axe. The man raised it again, preparing to strike but was caught around the chest by a large rock and shot to the ground.

Shu rocketed past, stopping to help Kizu to his feet. "You're back!" Kizu shouted as he accepted the hand and got to his feet.

"Yes. And now I have to see Oma." Shu said as he patted Kizu on the shoulder and began to climb up the side of the mountain towards the cherry blossom trees.

Oma reached the top first. She took some deep breaths as she looked around her. People were fighting everywhere below her and she could see one hill on fire from a spilt blasting jelly barrel. "Where is he? He said he would be here." Oma said as she got tenser. Then she saw him. He was leaping up the side of the mountain with earthbending. "Shu!" she cried out.

"Oma!" Shu responded as he saw his love at the top of the mountain. He ran up the small path and stopped to look again.

There was a loud scream as Shishou jumped out of the bushes, surprising Shu. Shu dodged the sword and knocked Shishou's shield away. "Shishou, no!" Oma shouted as she began to run down the mountain, hoping to reach her love in time. There was a loud boom as a canon collided with the top of the mountain. The cherry blossom trees were destroyed, the petals blowing down the mountain and into the fight as Shishou and Shu dueled in them.

"I will not lose to you!" Shishou shouted as he viciously continued his attack, spinning and dodging every move Shu threw at him. "I am better than any heathen like you! Benders are stupid and powerless! I am greater!" Shu ducked under the sword and shot Shishou back and into the side of the mountain.

"And I will not let you get in the way of our love anymore." Shu responded as he threw another attack at Shishou. Shishou dodged it and gave another jab at Shu. Shu threw a section of the wall at Shu's wrist, trapping it in an earth cuff. Shishou dropped his sword from shock and threw a kick at Shu.

Kizu had seen the fight and raced up to the top of the mountain as Aer appeared at the peak. Kizu locked Shishou's foot in the ground. Shishou was now left to flail foolishly as he struggled to get free. Shu dropped Shishou to the ground and then pinned him to the side of the mountain, his legs and left arm encased in earth. "Maybe now you will stay out of my way." Shu said as he nodded his head.

"Shu!" Oma shouted as she finally reached the small area. Shu turned to her. He opened his arms and ran into her embrace.

Shishou gave an angry scowl and shook his right arm, drawing a knife from his sleeve. Shu and Oma moved in for a kiss, but something happened.

Shu's eyes got wider and his strength faded in Oma's arms. A knife had wedged itself in his back, piercing his heart. Shishou gave a cold laugh as Kizu encased his arm in earth.

Aer reached the gathering in time to see Shu die in Oma's arms. "Shu…stay with me." Oma said heartbreakingly as she cradled her lover in her delicate arms. Shu leaned up, hoping for one last kiss before he died, but he never got it.

Oma sobbed over his body as Aer placed a caring hand on her shoulder.

"Oma…I'm so…" Aer tried to say, remembering how Long-hin had died. Oma sat upright, the delicate look gone upon her face. She got up and gave Shu's body one last kiss. She then turned and walked steadily up to the top of the mountain where the tree stumps were.

"They will pay." Oma said as he raised her hands. The earth began to shake as Oma's hurt grew. She began to cry steadily. She clenched her teeth together and gave a painful scream. She flicked her hands and the earth opened around Pathigo, dragging parts of the city down. Large fissures appeared in the roads and toppled even the tallest buildings. Kilmojo was beset as large mountains erupted from the center of the city.

People went screaming as the armies stopped fighting. Oma turned to the armies and, with a wave of her hand, stones shot out of the earth and rained down upon them, destroying the catapults and canons. "Oma, please stop." Kizu pleaded with her. "They didn't do anything to you."

"Yes they did!" Oma shouted angrily as she bent low and caused the hills around Pathigo and Kilmojo to close in on the cities, causing the earth to shake violently. "They all killed him!"

"I know what it is like to lose someone you love." Aer said as she tried to calm her down. "I know it hurts and that you want to take revenge but it isn't always the best way."

Oma spun around and sent sink holes into Kilmojo, destroying the castle. "Oma please, spare these people. We can settle this entire war peacefully." Kizu said as he threw his hands up to protect himself from Oma's deadly gaze. But he was safe. Her eyes had fallen upon Shishou who looked terrified. She lifted a hand to him, as if to crush him.

"Stop!" Aer said as she grabbed Oma's arm. "Would Shu want you to become a murderer?" Oma stopped, pain resonating from her very being. "He scolded Kilmojo for killing love. Do you want Shu's memory to die in vain?"

Oma shook her head, trying to keep the long awaited cry inside. But it had built to such magnitude that it hurt. She opened her mouth as tears poured from her eyes and sunk to the ground in a heap, her arm dropping limply to the ground. Her teeth were gritted as the breaths heaved out of her. Aer and Kizu drew her into a close hug as the dirt and dust settled and men laid down their arms.

The war was over.

It was late in the afternoon as the men turned in their arms, collecting them in large crates and sealing them up. Both cities had been destroyed in the wrath of Oma and no one cared where they sat. Aer wiped some dirt from her cheeks and walked into the hospital tent. Mizu was busy putting all of her medicine in its proper place.

"So, you were right after all." Aer said with a small smile. "The war is all over."

"Yeah, I guess I was. Funny how I'm right sometimes." Mizu said with a chuckle and finished packing her things.

"Where is Hitori?" Aer asked as she looked at the folded up cot.

"She's getting some fresh air." Mizu said as she looked out of the tent flap and into the bright sun. "She wanted to be there at the negotiations."

"Yeah, who would want to miss that?" Aer said with a small smile. "Just a bunch of politics."

"Yeah, but they are for us as well." Mizu added. Kizu walked in with Jip by his side.

"We are all assembling in Pathigo's grand hall for the negotiations." Jip informed them, now in some nice clean clothes.

"They wanted to make sure that we were all sticking around for them." Kizu added.

"Wouldn't miss them for anything." Aer said. "It is the reason for our existence over these past few months. Just think though, it's been almost a year."

"Almost a year ago I was still living alone in the North Pole." Mizu said as she thought back.

"And I was on a farm with a whole family." Kizu said as his eyes fell. "Say, where's Kan?"

"I'm not sure." Mizu said. "I think he's off by himself somewhere. He's gotten into a real rotten mood lately. I can't blame him though. He's been through a whole lot more this year."

"I guess so." Jip said as she looked off at the mountain between the two former cities. "It seems like nothing has really changed."

"But they have." Kizu said as he looked down at her. "Benders exist now and soon they will become as natural as anyone else."

"That is what these negotiations are about." Mizu reminded them. She got up and walked with her sack to the entrance. "When this is all over, I'm going to look for my parents."

"And I'm going to find my brother." Kizu said as he joined Mizu at the tent entrance. Aer made an awkward noise and the others turned to see her crying. "What's the matter?" Kizu asked her.

"It's just…we may never see each other again after this." Aer said as she tried to brush the tears away. Mizu sighed and pulled Aer into a hug.

"There is no way that that would ever happen." Mizu said as she comforted her friend. Kizu and Jip joined in as the friends smiled for the first time in a long time.

All of the citizens and soldiers from both cities (and what seemed to be more) had gathered in the large hall for the negotiations. Many merchants were spreading the good vibe. There was a large table set up at the front of the hall. Dueno was sitting next to the king and Oma was standing just behind him. The second in command was sitting next to the king.

Shishou had been dragged to the nearest jail due to his crimes to rot. The king had a large parchment in front of him and was scribbling down the terms as they arose between the people. Aer, Kizu, Jip, Ran-fo, and Mizu were all sitting next to each other. Aer had her staff clutched in her hands and Mizu had her parka back on. Kan was brooding in the shadows away from his friends with Hitori close to him.

"So it is settled then." The king said as he wrote down the last detail. "We have come to a truce and shall rebuild a city where we can all live as one. It shall be called Omashu and it will be built where Kilmojo now stands. There is a cease fire between us and a time of peace will now be upheld after this turmoil the world has gone through over the last year. And now, onto the important part of this meeting. The problem concerning bending. It has become clear that benders are not as different as we think they are. Therefore, benders will be integrated seamlessly back into our society as law enforcement and specialty workers and we shall live in peace. Now, if the benders would please step forward."

Aer, Kizu, Mizu, Jip, Ran-fo, and Kan got to their feet. Aer walked down with Jip next to her side. She gave Kan a smile as they passed each other, Kan drifting to the back of the line. She noticed that his mask was not on properly and it hadn't been for a while. She marched forward with Mizu behind her and Kizu behind her. Aer took the quill offered to her by the king and smiled as she spoke aloud.

"I, Aer, pledge that the Air Nomad race, masters of Airbending, will adhere to these new terms and agreements as written in this document." Aer signed her name and turned with Jip and walked off to the side.

"I, Mizu, pledge that the Water Tribe, masters of Waterbending , will adhere to these new terms and agreements as written in this document." Mizu signed her name and moved off to the side, where a small group of water benders were waiting for her.

"I, Kizu, pledge that the Earth Kingdom, masters of Earthbending, will adhere to these new terms and agreements as written in this document." Kizu signed his name and gave a smile to Oma. He walked off to the side where three earth benders were waiting for him.

Kan walked forward and took the quill in his hand and stared down at the parchment. "I, Kan Benda, pledge…"

The quill lit up as Kan shot a spark at the paper, setting it ablaze. He spun around, his mask slipping off and shattering on the ground. There was a gasp from the crowd as Kan turned to them, rage building inside of him. "I pledge to never sign a piece of paper like this!"

"Kan…what are you…" Aer began as she took a few steps forward. Kan turned to her, a line of fire almost hitting her. Jip became terrified as Kizu and Mizu seized up in shock.

"YOU TRUST THESE PEOPLE?" Kan shouted at the top of his lungs. Hitori had gotten up as well and was moving to the back of the hall. "THESE PEOPLE HUNTED YOU DOWN FOR A YEAR! THEY DESTORYED YOUR HOMES, YOUR FAMILIES, AND NOW YOU WANT TO SIDE WITH THEM?" Kan's rage grew as the walls began to shake.

"Kan, please calm…"Mizu began.

"SHUT UP!" Kan roared. "YOUR PARENTS DUMPED YOU IN THE NORTH POLE TO DIE! WHY DO YOU STILL LOOK FOR THEM? AND YOU!" Kan rounded on Kizu now. "THEY TOOK AWAY YOUR FAMILY AND DESTORYED YOUR HOME! HOW CAN YOU STAND BY THESE MONSTERS?

"Kan, it isn't like…" Kizu tried to say.

"YOU ARE ALL HYPOCRITES! IF YOU CARED AT ALL ABOUT WHO YOU ARE, THE BENDERS YOU ARE, YOU WOULD NEVER SIDE WITH THESE MORTALS! THEY DESTROYED MY LIFE! EVERYTHING I'VE WANTED THEY HAVE TAKEN FROM ME! DO YOU THINK THEY GET YOU? DO YOU THINK THEY WILL RESPECT YOU? IF THEY RESPECTED YOU THEY WOULD GIVE YOU THE ULTIMATE POWER THAT WE DESERVE! BUT GO AHEAD, TRUST THEM! SEE WHAT GOOD IT DOES YOU! I CAN TLL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THEY WILL HATE YOU! THEY WILL NEVER SHOW YOU ANY KINDNESS IN THIS 'NEW WORLD' YOU CLAIM TO BE MAKING."

Soldiers had grabbed their arms and were trying to surround Kan as the earth began to split and fire flew through the air. "BUT WHY AM I WASTING MY BREATH TALKING TO YOU? HOW CAN I TRUST ANY OF YOU ANYMORE? YOU HAVE ALL BETRAYED ME. YOU WATCHED WHILE ALL MY DREAMS DIED. YOU ABANDONED ME WHEN I WANTED SOMEONE TO UNDERSTAND! AND NOW LOOK, THESE MORTALS ARE TRYING TO STOP ME. ME! THE MOST POWERFUL BENDER IN THE WORLD!"

"Kan, we are placing you under arrest for your outburst!" the king shouted as he got to his feet and Oma readied herself.

"HA! YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME. YOU AND YOUR WEAK SOCIETY. You know…now I get it." Kan said as his temper started to cool down a bit. "I had the right idea when I thought to create an all bender city, but that was dumb. Why have an all bender city when I can have a whole bender world? Why even bother PUTIING UP WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHEN I CAN JUST AS EASILY DESTROY YOU!"

"Kan, please…" Aer pleaded. Tears were running down her face.

"No, no this is it. This is what I should have done long ago. No more MISUNDERSTANDING. No more SECLUSION OR BEING DIFFERENT FROM EVERYONE ELSE! THIS SCAR WILL NOT KEEP BE APART ANY MORE! I WILL KILL EVERY NON BENDER ON THE PLANET AND ANY BENDER THAT ALLIES THEMSELVES WITH THEM. I WILL HAVE A PERFECT WORLD FOR ME AND NONE OF YOU WILL EVER GO AGAINST ME! NO MORE WILL MY DREAMS BE THE ONES THAT GET CRUSHED. NOW MARKS THE END OF YOUR DAYS. AND MY ARMIES WILL REIGN SUCH TERROR UPON THIS EARTH, WILL SEND THIS WORLD INTO SUCH A SCREAMING INFRNO, AND YOU WILL WISH THAT YOU HAD NEVER CROSSED PATHS WITH KAN BENDA!"

Kan lifted his arms out, sending a large blast of energy throughout the hall. Oma tossed up an earth shield just in time and Aer covered everyone with an air shield. The hall was blown apart as the full extent of Kan's power tore everything apart. It was over in an instant.

Kan had vanished into thin air, another perk of Energybending. Aer and the others got to their feet and looked around at the hall. Bodies and stone were scattered everywhere. Oma lowered her shield and she, the king, Dueno, and the other officer crawled out from the wreckage.

There was no life left in the entire valley after Kan's blast. "Oh my…" Kizu began as he got to his feet, shaking viciously.

"It was all just talk." Mizu said to herself. "There is no way Kan could gather an army of that magnitude in such little time."

"No, it is." Aer said as her eyes fell. "And I know just where he is going."

The bonfire behind Kan lit up the night as Kan stood before the people. "My friends, we made this city to have a place for ourselves. Now it is time to spread this idea throughout the world. It is time to end the mortal's time on earth and it is time for the age of benders to begin!"

He lifted an arm triumphantly into the air as the millions of people in Ba Sing Se shouted in agreement. The evil reign of Kan Benda had only just begun.