Avatar: Two Brothers

Ba Sing Se

Ba Sing Se, the most prosperous city in the entire kingdom, it was here that the great leaders around the world were going to gather to discuss the imminent threat upon them. One that would require them to face without the aid of a fully capable avatar.

With a couple days left before the meeting time, most leaders were resting in their rooms, while some explored the marketplace outside the royal kingdom. Some leaders elected to bring some guards along with them. There were two from the fire nation that were particularly interesting.

Both fully dressed in fire nation armor gear, their names were Isabelle and Ruby. Isabelle was the hard charging, energetic one between the two. In fact, she was the reason both her and Ruby were in the position they were now. In contrast, Ruby was more soft-spoken and logical between the two. She was also a head taller than Isabelle.

As they were standing guard in front of the door of their fire lord’s room, they began to have a conversation.

“Isn’t this exciting Ruby?!”

“Umm, you mean standing in front of a door and looking professional all the time? I fail to see the excitement.”

“Ruby! We are in Ba Sing Se! This is the place that everyone in our nation dreams of coming to and now we are here!”

“I was expecting there to be more people, and maybe animals, but all I have seen are walls, creepy guards, and some arrogant leaders.”

“Just be patient Ruby, I’m sure we will get some time to explore beyond this place!”

“We better. I still can’t believe I let you talk me into that plan of yours.”

“Oh don’t worry, they will understand…”

“Really? We ambushed two of our comrades back in the fire nation, stole their uniforms and took their place to escort the fire lord to Ba Sing Se!”

Isabelle immediately covered Ruby’s mouth with one of her hands. “SHHHHH! Not so loud Ruby!”

“Sigh, we are so lucky their uniforms somehow fit us perfectly…”

“See! That was a sign that what we did was right! Come on Ruby, just hang in there a bit longer!”

“There better be Bunnypups out there and they better be cute!”

As they heard footsteps coming towards them, their conversation came to a close. “Quick Ruby, get back into position!” They straightened up their posture, zipped their mouth, and put their helms on. The person who was approaching was Master Ruthar.

As he was about to walk past them he decided to stop and greet them. Ruby and Isabelle were surprised that an air master would speak to them. Most of the other leaders barely acknowledged their presence but Ruthar was different.

“How are you two firebenders doing today?”

Ruby was completely silent and Isabelle took some time to collect her thoughts as she tried to disguise her voice by making it sound much lower.

“We are just doing our job sir. You know, fire nation guard stuff.”

“Please call me Ruthar.”

Isabelle was speechless that an air master would allow that.

“I’m guessing you two are the guards for Fire Lord Risensa?”

“Yes we are! Only the finest guards in all of the fire nation!”

“I can see that. Would it be possible for me to see her?”

“Well, she said she wanted to rest today and didn’t want to see any visitors.”

“That is alright, I was hoping to annoy her a bit before we see each other during the meeting.”

“Wait! Ruthar, are you friends with Fire Lord Risensa?”

“Oh yeah, we go way back.”

“Let me speak with her. Perhaps she would be willing to make an exception for a friend?”

“That would be very kind. Thank you… Sorry I never got your name.”

“Isa… I mean Isaac!” She accidentally slipped from her lower tone, into her normal voice. She felt embarrassed for a moment. “Uhh sorry, voice crack.” She turned back to what she was doing and as she was about to knock on the door, an Earth Kingdom soldier came and bowed in front of Ruthar.

The guard informed Ruthar that his men had come across some intruders while they were on patrol around the palace walls. They were currently being kept in the kingdom’s dungeon where they kept insisting they knew Ruthar.

Ruthar asked the guard if the two were an air and earth bender in their teenage years. The guard confirmed that they were and Ruthar could only laugh and smile. He thanked the guard and told him that he would be on his way.

Before Ruthar left the area, he turned to two fire benders. “Guess my meeting with Risensa will have to wait. Thank you for your efforts!”

“No thank you Ruthar for taking the time to talk to us!”

He smiled and was about to leave but had one more thing to say, “You know Isaac, you remind me of a couple of benders that are helping me right now. I hope you get a chance to meet them one day.”

With that Ruthar left the area meaning Isabelle no longer had to disguise her voice. Isabelle then turned to Ruby.

“Can you believe we got to talk to Ruthar in person?!”

“Okay okay, that was pretty cool. BUT! I still want to see those cute animals!”

“After the fire lord has that meeting, I’m sure we will get our chance!”