The sun filtered weakly through the clouds that surrounded the Lightning Kingdom.
Outside, the air was crisp and damp. Captain Baka sat on the railway looking at the scenery of the massive construction site.
The structure was only halfway built, stretching out like a jagged stone pier over the rushing, turbulent river below. Massive iron cranes groaned under the weight of stone blocks, weary workers hammered steel rivets as the noise echoed throughout.
Baka let out a yawn as Iroh walked over, wiping the sweat from his brow with an old rag.
Iroh: "Are you sure it's safe to leave the kids back at my house? You never know when the enemy could strike."
Captain Baka: "They'll be fine. No need to worry too much. Although, I bet by now they've already destroyed a piece of furniture or two in your house."
Iroh: "Damn brats."
Captain Baka: So how's the progress coming along.
Iroh: We're almost through, just to add some more cement and then finish the railings. We'll be finished in less than 60 hours if we keep it up as this.
Before Baka could reply, one of the construction workers approached them. The man looked hesitant, nervously wringing his calloused hands together, his eyes downcast.
Worker: "Mr. Iroh… I, uh… I've been giving this a lot of thought. Regarding the completion of this bridge… will you let me quit the crew?"
Iroh froze, his eyes widening in profound shock.
Iroh: "Why on earth would you want to quit now? We're so close!"
"We've been friends for a very long time, Iroh," the worker said, his voice trembling with a mixture of guilt and fear. "I want to help you see this through, I really do. But if we push this construction any further… Mr Moss Head will undoubtedly set his sights on us. He'll target our homes, our livelihoods, and our families. It's just not worth it."
"Not a chance," Iroh declared defiantly, his voice ringing with absolute conviction.
Iroh: "This is our bridge. Every single honest citizen and poor laborer in this kingdom put their blood, sweat, and tears into building it. We did it because we believed it would finally bring proper transportation, trade, and resources to our impoverished island from the mainland. We cannot let a corrupt tyrant dictate our future."
Worker: "But if it costs us our very lives, what's the point?!" the worker pleaded.
Iroh let out a long, defeated sigh, looking at the sheer terror etched into his old friend's face. He knew he couldn't force them to be brave. "
Iroh: "Alright… let's just take a break and call it a day for now."
Back at Iroh home the sun began its slow descent. As the trio sat outside not to long after taking their baths.
The air was silent as Miki noticed Aturia was in deep thought.
Miki: "Is everything alright Aturia?
Aturia: "It's nothing really i just have this bad feeling.
Sieg: "That what?
Aturia: "That Phoenix really isn't dead."
Sieg: "That's crazy, we all saw it with our own eyes he was killed by that kid remember with lightning magic."
Aturia: "I know, still i can't help but shake this feeling that we were deceived somehow.
Miki: Well if you're right i guess we do have to take certain measures.
Aturia: I've already thought of a plan in case we have to face those two again.
She walks in the inn and comes out with a small board and marker. She explains while drawing the tactics.
Aturia: So the plan is this, We force them into separate battles if we encounter them again. Sieg distracts Az, Miki supports Sieg and prevent Az from overwhelming him. Then I'll assist the Captain to confront Phoenix directly.
Sieg and Miki pondered for a bit
Aturia: "So any questions
Miki: "The plan isn't that bad but we'll give it a shot."
Sieg: "I have a question. Why does your drawing suck so bad?"
Aturia stared at him calmly.
Five minutes later, Sieg's hands and feet were covered in ice as he lay pinned helplessly on the floor.
Aturia walked over with an evil grin and scribbled on his face with the marker, drawing a mustache and a pair of glasses.
Miki: "Aturia... I think that's enough."
Aturia: "I'm almost finished."
Sieg: "MIKI! HELP ME!"
Miki: "Sorry, Sieg. I don't want to get frozen too."
Sieg: "No, how could you?! Wait... is that a permanent marker?"
Aturia: "Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't."
Sieg: "I'll get you back one day just you wait dweeb."
Aturia: I'll to see you try doofus."
They heard footsteps approaching as Captain Baka and Iroh returned with food supplies.
Baka: We're back.
Looks at Sieg predicament
Baka: "Seems like y'all are having fun."
Sieg: I know you're ignoring...
Baka: "Anyways we brought some foodstuff though they didn't have much.
He handed each of them a bottle of milk, bread and and eggs. As they sat down and ate.
Seig and Aturia were busy aggressively wolfing down their food at terrifying speeds. Whether driven by the sheer exhaustion of their training earlier or an unspoken childish eating contest, both suddenly locked eyes, gasped, and began choking violently on their food.
Captain Baka "Stop shoving food down your throats if you're just going to choke on it! You three are seriously giving me headache. I can't wait for retirement.
Early the next morning, before sunrise, the group decided to head to the bridge once again.
Aturia and Miki followed them while Sieg remained asleep on the mattress.
Aturia: "The doofus is still sleeping."
Captain Baka: "Let's not bother him. Come on, let's go."
Miki: "I left him a note, so he'll know where to find us when he wakes up."
Down at the riverbank, the air was dead silent.
When Iroh, Baka, Aturia, and Miki finally arrived at the bridge, a scene of absolute horror met their eyes. Every single construction worker lay scattered across the ground completely unconscious.
Iroh: "What the hell is this?!" Iroh gasped as he rushed to check a worker's pulse. "What happened to them?!"
Suddenly, the ambient temperature plummeted. Heavy thick clouds began to roll violently over the riverbank within minutes as the visibility dropped slightly.
Baka's expression instantly hardened. He placed his right palm firmly onto the handle of his sheathed katana, his posture shifting into a combat stance.
Aturia "This cloud mist… just as I suspected. He's back
Out of the dense mist a voice echoed from all directions.
"My deepest apologies for keeping you all waiting." Green Phoenix mocked, his voice dripping with pure malice
Phoenix "I see you've brought those pathetic little brats with you as always. Tell me, kids… are you still trembling in your boots? Poor things."
Aturia looked around: "Trembling? The only thing I'm trembling with is pure excitement—because we get to kick your ass for the second time!"
Captain Baka: So my guess is that you deceived us and that little boy helped you to fake your death. Correct me if I'm wrong?"
Phoenix: I hate in when you all spoil the surprise it's no fun."
Suddenly, the mist swirled as two Phoenix clones emerged and charged toward them.
Aturia immediately slammed her fist into the ground, spreading ice across the surface and encasing the clones' legs in thick ice.
Captain Baka swiftly stepped forward and delivered the finishing blow, cutting through both clones with a single sword slash.
Captain Baka: "Using the same old techniques, huh?"
Baka immediately channeled Dark Magic into his katana, causing it to absorb the surrounding mist like a vacuum.
The surrounding mist cleared, restoring their visibility as Phoenix and Az came into view, standing several meters away.
Phoenix dragged his nose mask up.
Phoenix: Hold on someone is missing… where exactly is that loud-mouthed fire kid?"
Aturia: "None of your business."
Phoenix "Hmph. Regardless, it doesn't matter in the slightest. Are you ready Az?"
Az stared at them silently for a bit and nodded as lightning sparked across his fingers.
Az: Let's give them hell."