The Crazy King Bumi

-Bumi's Point of View-

"King Bumi, here is the paperwork for the installation of a new chute on the delivery system," one of my workers said.

"Paperwork? You're adding a new slide?" I asked.

"Not a slide, sir. A chute, but yes sir," he replied.

"Alright then, leave the papers there at my desk. I'll read through them later," I answered.

"Yes, your highness," he replied, and then he left the study room.

"Your majesty. May I come in?" my adviser knocked on the door.

"Ah yes! Feng! Come in, what is the news for today?" I asked.

"You have a mail, sir. It was inside a messenger bird from the Fire Nation," he said.

"Fire Nation you say? Who's it from?" I asked as I walked closer to him.

"It's from General Iroh," he answered.

"Ah, the dragon of the west. What could it be this time?" I said as I took the letter from Feng's hand and read it.

"It seems like he is still looking for Master Anika," Feng answered. I read through the letter and then I rolled it back.

"Should I write back?" he asked.

"No, I'll write to him back myself. Thank you for your hard work Feng," I said and then I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No worries, King Bumi. I am your loyal servant," he said and then he bowed.

"One more thing before I leave," he added. "Today, up until this hour, there were two attempts in entering our city. This was reported by the guards of the gate," Feng said.

"Two attempts? Did they get in?" I asked.

"Yes. The first attempt was a cabbage merchant and the second was a group of three teenagers and an old man," he answered.

"Who are they? What is their business in Omashu?" I asked.

"Well, the cabbage merchant just wanted to sell his produce. Meanwhile, the old man was making a ruckus so the guards decided to let them in. They didn't state their reason for visiting, but the old man said that he was Banzu Pipenpadilopsicopulus and the teenagers are his grandkids namely, June, Niko, and Mira," he answered.

"Pipenpadilopsicopulus?" I asked.

"It is a weird name, sir," Feng said.

"Alright, keep an eye on them, and see if they will bring trouble to the city. Can't risk having crazy people in here," I ordered.

"Yes... sir. I will order the guards. I will leave now," Feng answered and then he went out of the room.

I went to my desk and read through Iroh's letter one more time. He's still looking for Anika? This is bad... I think something might have happened to her. It's already been six years. I think we should start looking for her for real this time.

And what is this about her daughter? Anika never mentioned she had children! Is Iroh hallucinating?

In addition to this, the Avatar is still missing. Aang has been gone for a while and I don't believe that he is dead. Wherever he is, I'm sure he's preparing for a big comeback.

I placed the letter on top of my desk and I sat down on the chair. I leaned my back as I released a big sigh.

Where could Aang be? That good-for-nothing monk, he let the burden get to himself.

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-Maya's Point of View-

"One ride, and then we're off to the north pole, air bender's honor," Aang said.

We're now, here riding a cart from the delivery system. Aang saw an empty carrier and he pushed it closer to the delivery pathway.

We're currently hanging on the corner and will slide down if anyone of us pushes.

"This sounded fun at first, but now that I'm here. I'm starting to have second thoughts," Katara said.

"Do I really need to join? I can just step out and let you all have the fu—AHHHH!" I shouted. Aang suddenly pushed the cart and then we went sliding down the steep slope.

Aang was laughing and enjoying it, while Katara, Sokka, and I are scared to death at the back. Aang was in front, Katara was behind him, next was Sokka and then lastly, me.

We were smoothly sliding through the chutes until a cart filled with sharp weapons appeared beside us and it was sliding through the chute beside ours.

Then suddenly the chutes connected. Now the cart with weapons is right behind us and is getting closer.

I looked behind me and the blades of the weapon are just an inch away. I ducked to get myself away from the blades and then I pulled Sokka down when the blades were closing in on him as well.

The blades stopped behind Katara making her shout and when Aang saw it he said, "Don't worry, that thing won't get us! I'm on it!" and then he shook the cart we were riding in making it jump out of the chute.

We landed on a sloped roof and the cart still went sliding from one roof to another. After being on the roofs, the cart landed on the ground, and then it bounced right in the middle of a soldiers' assembly.

After bouncing on the ground, the cart went back to a different channel of chutes, and then we went sliding once more.

"AH!!! MAKE THIS STOP!" I shouted.

Katara, who heard me and was worried, looked at Aang and shouted, "Aang do something! Use your air bending!"

"Yeah! Good idea! That will make us go even faster!" Aang shouted back and then he used his air bending to make the cart go faster.

NO AANG! KATARA MEANT TO MAKE THE CART STOP NOT GO FASTER!

The cart we're riding in slid through the chutes and after some turns and curves, we are now on a steep slope and then at the end of the slope there was a discontinuation of the path. It's like a station where the carts are earth bent to their proper channels.

There was a cart at the end and we all shouted, panicking that we will crash into it. Luckily there was an earth bender who pushed it out of the way. All of us were relieved until another cart was pulled upwards by the same earth bender.

We crashed into another cart and then we went flying through the air.

"MAYA!" Sokka shouted as he held onto my arms. I was drifting away from the three of them.

Aang then airbent the cart to make it go below us. We landed inside the cart again and we still kept on sliding from one roof to another. This time we even went inside some rooms as we crashed onto their windows.

There was a room where we crushed the vase a person was painting on. I felt sorry for crushing his masterpiece so I shouted, "SORRY!" as we left the room.

We passed inside another room again where we ended up taking a cat that clashed with Momo. They were fighting on top of Aang's head until his fake hair was gone. Katara broke the fight when she threw the cat away.

We then crashed on top of a roof railing and then finally fell down on top of a cabbage cart.

"AH! MY CABBAGES! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT!" the man shouted. Wait, isn't he the cabbage man who was rejected from coming inside the city?

Suddenly, a group of soldiers surrounded us while holding their spears.

Oh boy... I think we are really going to jail this time around.

"Two cabbages please?" Aang said as he awkwardly smiled at the soldiers. His fake hair and mustache are now gone.

Well, too much for just one ride and off to the north pole right? Ouch, my body still hurts. Sokka landed on top of me and he is heavy!

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-Bumi's Point of View-

"Your majesty! There was some ruckus going on in the city!" Feng suddenly barged inside my bedroom.

"What?! What's going on?" I asked.

"Apparently, the family of Pipenpadilopsicopulus rode a messenger cart and slid through the chutes, but they also ran on some roofs, crashed into houses, and fell on top of a cabbage cart," Feng explained.

Using the delivery system as a slide? Well, that's new. Nobody has done that ages ago.

"Where are they now?" I asked.

"They're being brought in," he answered.

"Alright, take those vandals into the throne room. I would personally want to see them myself," I commanded.

"Yes, King Bumi," Feng submitted and then he left the room. I grabbed my robe and dressed myself up.

"What's going on grandfather? Did something happen?" Balu suddenly asked. He had already gone inside the room.

"Oh! Balu! I didn't notice ya there," I said. He then walked closer to me and helped me put on my robe and other King stuff ornaments.

"Why was Master Feng like that? He's in a rush. Is something going on grandfather?" Balu asked once more.

"Well, it's nothing big. Nothing your old champ can't handle." I answered.

I turned around to face him and then I said, "Come, why don't you join me in the throne room," and then I placed my hands on his shoulder and made him walk out of the room.

"Throne room? Is someone coming?" he asked.

"We're meeting vandals," I timidly replied.

"Vandals? What did they do?" he asked. Why does this boy have so many questions?

"Well, they rode on one of the carrier carts and turn the delivery system into a slide," I answered.

"Woah, really? Wow, I suddenly remember the time when we used to do that Grandfather," he said.

"Yes... but we never crashed into people's houses," I replied.

We went inside the throne room and we were greeted by Feng and some other guards.

"King Bumi," Feng said and then he and the other soldiers bowed down.

"At ease," I said and then I went to sit on the throne. Balu stood at my right side.

"Bring in the vandals!" I commanded and then a few soldiers went inside the room with four children and a lemur in captivity.

Aang? What the? It can't be mistaken. That is totally Aang! Why he hasn't even changed a bit? He looks exactly the same as 100 years ago! What happened to him?!

I looked at others and I noticed that the other kids were wearing water tribe clothing. That girl, however, the one with red eyes, looks exactly like Anika. Is this Anika's daughter perhaps?

"Your Majesty, these juveniles were arrested for vandalism, traveling under false pretenses, and malicious destruction of cabbages," one of the soldiers said.

"Off with their heads! One for each head of cabbage!" an old man shouted.

"SILENCE! Only the King can pass down judgment. What is your judgment sire?" the soldier asked and then they all looked at me. I looked at the youngsters with a serious expression on my face.

Well, well, well! What have we here? It seems like we have a lot of special guests in the city! The Avatar and Master Anika's daughter! We should celebrate! The Avatar is back and we might finally see Anika now!

"Throw them... a feast," I said with a smile on my face. Everyone then became confused.

"But Your Majesty..." Feng argued.

"I want the grandest feast," I told him.

He sighed in defeat and then Feng faced everyone and said, "You heard the King. Leave the juveniles here in the palace, we will bring them a feast."

The soldier then nodded his head and then he went out with the other soldiers. He dragged the cabbage man along with him too.

"Grandfather, what are you doing?" Balu asked.

"We are celebrating grandson. We are welcoming our guests," I said while I looked at the youngsters.

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-Maya's Point of View-

Did I hear that right? A feast?! Is this King for real?

After the soldiers have left, the King's adviser led us to the palace's dining hall.

"You four will have to wait in here and don't even think about running away. There will be guards watching over you," the adviser said.

We were told to sit quietly in front of a long dining table, and so we did. The order of seats was Katara, Aang, Sokka, and Me. No one was talking not even when the food arrived. Well, Momo did start feasting on the food when it came but none of us ate.

What is happening really? Is this a joke or something? Are these food poisoned? Is this a torture of some kind?

"Welcome my beloved guests!" the King suddenly shouted. When did he arrive? I was really shocked when he shouted geez!

The King then stood right behind us. A young man was following behind him.

"You guys haven't touched the food. Is it bad?" the King asked.

"No Your Majesty, we just didn't feel like eating," I formally said. The King looked at me and laughed.

"Haha! The people in my city have gotten fat from too many feasts. So, I hope you'd like your chicken without skin," he said as he grabbed the chicken that was on Aang's plate and moved it closer to Aang's face.

"Thanks! But, I don't eat meat," Aang replied.

The King then looked at Sokka and said, "How about you? I bet you like meat," and then he stuffed the chicken inside Sokka's mouth. Sokka then savorly ate the chicken.

The King started walking to the other side of the table with the young man who was with him all this time.

"Is it just me or is this guy's crown a little crooked?" Katara whispered to Aang. He just shrugged and then he looked at the old King.

"So tell me young bald one, where are you from?" the King asked as he sat on the chair.

"I'm from... Kangaroo Island!" he answered.

Aang... Seriously... your makeup names, places, and other lies are not really that good! You're a bad liar, seriously!

"Huh... Kangaroo Island ey? I hear that place is really hoppy!" the King shouted. Everyone went silent for a moment until Sokka laughed. That is definitely the worst joke I've ever heard.

We all looked at the laughing Sokka and when he noticed us, his laugh faded and then he asked, "What? It was pretty funny..."

No, it wasn't Sokka.

Suddenly the King let out a big yawn and said, "All these good jokes are making me tired. Guess it's time to hit the hay," and then he suddenly threw a chicken leg at Aang.

Aang was caught off guard by it and he used his air bending to stop the chicken from hitting him. Just then I heard gasps fill the room as the soldiers and other people saw what Aang did.

"There's an air bender in our presence and not just any air bender... The Avatar!" the King shouted as he stood up.

Oh no, we've been found out!

Aang quickly stopped air bending and held his hands to his back.

"Now... What do you have to say for yourself Mr. Pipenpadilopsicopulus?" the King asked.

Oh no, we're done for. So much for coming up with names, huh Aang?

"Okay! You caught me! I'm the Avatar. Doing my Avatar thing, keeping the world safe." Aang surrendered.

"Aang, what are you doing?" I whispered.

"Everything checks out! No firebenders here. So, good work everybody!" he continued.

Aang then grabbed onto us and pulled us away from the dining table. We started walking backward while heading to the dining hall's exit, still looking at the King.

"Love each other, respect all life, and don't run with your spears," he said to the soldiers who were guarding the exit.

"We'll see you next time!" Aang shouted and we were about to leave the place but the soldiers blocked the way.

Katara then looked at the King with an angry face as she said, "You can't keep us here. Let us leave!"

"Lettuce leaf?" the King asked as he grabbed a lettuce leaf and ate it.

Okay, he is really weird and crazy.

"We're in serious trouble! This guy is nuts!" Sokka whispered.

"Shh! Don't say anything anymore!" I whispered back.

"Tomorrow, the Avatar will face three deadly challenges. But for now, the guards will show you to your chamber," the King said.

"My liege, do you mean the good chamber or the bad chamber?" one of the soldiers asked.

"The newly refurbished chamber," the King answered.

"Wait, which one are we talking about?" the soldier asked once more.

"The one that used to be the bad chamber, until the recent refurbishing that is. Of course, we've been calling it the new chamber but, we really should number them. Uh..."

Is this really the king of this place? I don't even know if things are serious or not!

"TAKE THEM TO THE REFURBISHED CHAMBER THAT WAS ONCE BAD!" the King shouted. Just then the soldiers grabbed us by the elbows and dragged us away from the dining hall.

They took us to a dark hallway and when we reached a dead end, the soldier earth bent a hole and then pushed us inside. After that, he closed the hole.

So this is the same as the airbending door in the air temple, where you create openings using bending. This means we can't really get out of this place even if we want to; which is another delay for the north pole trip.

"This is a prison cell? But it's so nice," Katara asked as she looked around the room.

Well, she is right. The room definitely looks like a guest room, well... for special guests.

"He did say it was newly refurbished," Aang replied. Momo then jumped from Aang's shoulder and onto the bed.

"Nice or not, we're prisoners!" Sokka argued.

"He's right. We shouldn't fall for the crazy King's acts and words. There must be some kind of twists to this," I agreed as I sat down on one of the beds.

Aang then looked sad and asked, "I wonder what these challenges are gonna be."

"Well, we're not sticking around to find out. There's got to be some way out of here," Katara said.

"The air vents!" Aang shouted as he pointed to the circular air vents scattered in the room.

"If you think we can fit in there, then you're crazier than the King," Sokka said to Aang.

"We can't, but Momo can!" he shouted while pointing at Momo. He walked towards Momo who was already napping on one of the beds.

"Momo, I need you to find Appa and bust us out of here," Aang said. Momo looked at him with very lazy eyes and then Aang suddenly grabbed Momo and pushed him inside the air vent.

Unfortunately, Momo had eaten a lot of food back in the dining hall and his stomach has grown in size. Half of his body fits the vent but, from the stomach down? Impossible.

Sokka then went to lie down on one of the beds and so did Katara.

"Go on boy! Get Appa!" Aang said as he still tried to get Momo into the air vent.

"Let it be Aang... How was Appa supposed to help us anyway?" Sokka asked.

"Appa is a ten-ton flying bison. I think he could figure something out," Aang replied. I walked towards the stuck Momo and helped him get out of the air vent.

"Well, it's no use Aang. Momo can't fit through the air vent," I said. Aang then let out a deep sigh.

"I guess there's no other choice now. Get some rest Aang, looks like you'll need it for tomorrow," Katara said as she covered herself with a blanket.

Aang walked towards one of the beds and so did I. I let Momo go and he went beside Aang.

"Good night everybody," I said, and then I lay down.

Having to sleep on a bed feels so great! It's so soft and fluffy!

Ah... I wish I could've brought one of my mother's letters. I would've been able to read one right now.

I suddenly felt something poking me when I turned to my left side. I grabbed the thing in my pocket and it was my mother's necklace.

I stared at it for a moment and then I placed it back into my pocket and turned to the right side.

I can't really place it out. I might be discovered as a fire nation girl. It's really hard to be proud of your nationality when the world looks at it as an enemy. So bothersome.