The next morning, Azara stretched out on the ground of the common room as Katara ran back inside the house, looking excited for the first time since they arrived in Ba Sing Se. "I got it! I know how we're going to see the Earth King!" Katara announced, causing Azara to sit up.

"How are we supposed to do that? 'One doesn't just pop in on the Earth King!'" Toph spoke, mocking Joo Dee by pointing her finger in the air.

"The king is having a party at the palace tonight for his pet bear," Katara explained, reading the poster in her hands.

"You mean, platypus bear?" Aang asked, looking confused at Katara's statement.

"No, it just says 'bear.'" Katara shook her head, rereading the poster to confirm.

"Certainly, you mean his pet skunk bear," Sokka alluded, lying upside down as he stared up at his sister.

"Or his armadillo bear," Toph suggested, scratching her head.

"Gopher bear?" Azara tried, but Katara shook her head again.

"Just . . . bear."

"This place . . . is weird," Toph sighed as Katara shook off the confusion and smiled again.

"The palace will be packed. We can sneak in with the crowd!" Katara suggested, but Azara shook her head as Toph laid down on the ground.

"Won't work," Toph stated, arms tucked under her head as Katara raised an eyebrow.

"Why not?" Katara questioned, sounding confused at Toph's dismissal.

"Well for one, events like that usually require invitations, which we don't have," Azara started as Toph continued the train of thought.

"And no offense to you simple country folk, but a real society crowd will spot you a mile away. You've got no manners!" Toph explained, biting into a pastry from the bowl next to her.

"Excuse me? I've got no manners!? You're not exactly 'lady fancy fingers!'" Katara replied, placing her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed.

"Azara and I learned proper society behavior and chose to leave it," Toph pointed out before tossing the pastry to the side. "You never learned anything. And frankly, it's a little too late." To punctuate her point, Toph flung a piece of snot from her finger onto the ceiling.

"Aha, but you learned it! You could teach us!" Sokka smiled, leaning over towards Toph.

"Yeah, I'm mastering every element. How hard could manners be?" Aang shrugged before grabbing a nearby curtain and wrapping himself in it. "Good evening, Mr. Sokka Water Tribe, Ms. Katara Water Tribe, Lord Momo of the Momo Dynasty. Your Momo-ness," Aang spoke with a fake sophisticated voice, bowing to each person he mentioned. At the sound of his name, Momo ducked out from below the curtain and bowed back to Aang.

Sokka grabbed another curtain and wrapped it around himself, a fake smile plastered on his face. "Avatar Aang, how do you do?" Sokka mocked as well, causing Azara to playfully roll her eyes. Aang bowed to Sokka, which caused Sokka to bow back to him. They both started to bow to each other, each bow growing more aggressive, before they knocked foreheads and fell down in a heap.

"This is what Toph was talking about," Azara sighed, getting up and stretching. "I suppose I can dust off all those stupid society lessons again," she muttered, placing her hands on her hips.

"Katara might be able to pull it off, but you two would be lucky to pass as busboys!" Toph stated, getting up from the ground as well.

"But I feel so fancy!" Sokka smiled before Toph's snot fell off the ceiling and onto his forehead, causing him to grimace.

"Well, if we're going to pull this off, we need some dresses," Azara sighed, placing a finger on her chin as she thought over their plan. "I'll run out and grab what we need, Toph you educate Katara on everything society, and you two . . ." Azara trailed off as Sokka and Aang looked at her expectantly from the floor. "Don't hurt yourselves. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Running around the Upper Ring like a madwoman, Azara returned a little over an hour later, her arms full of bags. She kicked open the door, struggling through with all of the bags, causing Aang and Sokka to scramble up to help her with all of it. "Do you guys really need all of this stuff?" Sokka asked as he and Aang took some of the bags from Azara.

"Yes, you'll see," Azara replied, opening the door to the girl's room. She put the bags on the ground before turning back and grabbing the other bags from Sokka and Aang. "Just give us a few hours."

"Hours?!" Sokka and Aang exclaimed as Azara shut the door, chuckling at their flabbergasted expressions.

Azara found herself doing most of the work to get them ready for the party, as Toph was blind and Katara was still trying to shove years of etiquette lessons into a single afternoon. A few hours later, Azara adjusted her head piece as she stared in the mirror, Toph and Katara already prepared to head to the palace.

"Hurry up! You look fine!" Toph called, causing Azara to huff at the earthbender.

"Ha ha, Toph," Azara muttered, applying the final touches to her make up. "If it didn't take me five tries with your eyeliner—"

"—Alright, alright," Toph huffed before handing Katara a fan. With a kick of her heel, Toph threw the doors open, revealing her and Katara to the boys in the pose they had rehearsed. The two girls stood silently for a moment before breaking out into giggles. Aang blushed at the sight of Katara and smiled dreamily as he tugged at his collar.

"Wow, you look beautiful," Aang complimented, causing Katara to blush herself. Sokka leaned over and flicked Aang's forehead, causing the airbender to glare at him. Katara was about to respond when Azara called out to them from within their room.

"You guys didn't wait for me?" she huffed, walking over in her dress. It was Sokka's turn to blush like a lovesick idiot, which gave Aang ample opportunity to flick him back. "How do I look? This stupid head piece won't sit properly on my head," Azara asked Katara, who reached up to adjust it again.

"You look great, Azara," Toph teased, smirking as she could feel Sokka's elevated heart rate.

"Really? And how are you so sure, Toph?" Azara joked sarcastically as she and Katara turned to the earthbender.

"Sokka's heartrate is—"

"—Shouldn't you guys be going?" Sokka interjected, his cheeks bright red as he glared over at Toph, who merely smirked in response. Azara looked over at him with surprise, before looking to the ground, a dark blush clear on her own cheeks. She was glad she applied a generous amount of rouge to her cheeks beforehand.

The three girls moved to leave their house, Katara turning back to her brother and Aang. "We'll get in the party, and then find a way to let you in through the side gate," Katara told Sokka and Aang before they left for the palace.

Walking through the streets of the Upper Ring, they eventually reached the palace. Getting into line, Azara looked nervously ahead at the guard who was checking invitations. It was soon their turn, Toph leading the way up to the guard. "Invitation please."

"I think this will do," Toph replied, holding out the official seal of the Beifong family to the guard.

"No entry without an invitation. Step out of line, please," the guard snapped, staring unimpressed down at the three girls.

"Look, the Pangs and Yum Soon Hans are waiting in there for us! I'm going to have to tell them who didn't let me in," Toph threatened, but the guard wasn't budging in his decision.

"Step out of line please."

Huffing, they walked out of line. "How are we going to get in now?" Azara wondered aloud before Katara spotted a fancy carriage approaching. A man with long robes and a long braid stepped out of the carriage, the Dai Li agents bowing to him as he approached. Grabbing Toph's arm, Katara led the way over to him, Azara following close behind them.

"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but my cousin lost our invitations. She's blind," Katara whispered to the man before straightening up. "Do you think you could help us? Our family's inside and I'm sure they're very worried." The man smiled at the girls and bowed.

"I am honored, please come with me." The man led the way towards the entrance, the three of them trailing behind him. They passed by the guard, who bowed to Long Feng. With his back turned, the three girls stuck their tongues out at the guard, before turning forward and following the man into the palace. As they walked along, they entered a grand hall, which was full of Upper Ring guests.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? By the way, I'm Long Feng. I'm a cultural minister to the king," Long Feng stated as he turned back to them.

"I'm Kwa Mai, and this is . . . Dum," Katara introduced, pointing to Toph, who frowned and pulled on Katara's headdress.

"And I'm Tai Yang," Azara continued, bowing lightly to Long Feng. "Thank you so much for helping us, honorable Long Feng."

"Now where is your family? I'd love to meet them," Long Feng inquired, causing Azara to wince.

"Uh, you know, I don't see them right now, but I'm sure we'll find them soon. Thank you again for all your help," Azara smiled, starting to lead Katara and Toph away when Long Feng stepped in front of them again.

"Don't worry, as your escort it would be dishonorable to abandon you ladies without finding your family first. We'll keep looking," he spoke, before turning around and leading the way into the crowd. Azara and Katara shared a look before following after Long Feng.

After a few minutes, they were still unable to escape from Long Feng to go let in Aang and Sokka. Azara sighed as Long Feng continued to lead them through the crowd when Toph suddenly broke off. Azara reached out for Katara, pulling the waterbender in the same direction that Toph was walking. "Another crab puff, please," Toph requested, causing Sokka to spin around and hand her a puff from his tray.

"You found us!" Aang smiled excitedly as Azara and Katara approached them.

"I'd know your little footsteps anywhere, Twinkle Toes," Toph smirked, biting into the puff.

"Thanks for letting us in!" Sokka whispered sarcastically as Azara shrugged apologetically.

"Sorry, but the guy who escorted us in won't let us out of his sight," she replied as Sokka looked around at the room for the guy Azara was referencing.

"What guy?" Sokka questioned after he couldn't spot anyone, sounding confused. As Azara and Katara looked around for Long Feng, Azara groaned as she spotted Joo Dee making her way over to them.

"As if this couldn't get worse," she muttered as Joo Dee reached them.

"What are you doing here? You have to leave immediately, or we will be in terrible trouble!" Joo Dee urged, trying to push Sokka towards the door, but she was blocked with his tray.

"Not until we see the king," Sokka stated firmly, glaring at Joo Dee.

"You don't understand. You must go," Joo Dee insisted, looking nervous. She shoved Sokka into Aang, who proceeded to spill his entire pitcher onto a guest. Azara winced as the guest cried out in surprise, sharing concerned looks with Sokka.

"Sorry. No, don't shout," Aang pleaded, before sending a strong air gust at the guest. Azara sighed, holding her head in her hands as Aang's arrow was revealed and the woman's face became smeared in makeup, her hair and dress also a complete mess. However, once the woman realized it was Aang, she smiled widely.

"The Avatar! I didn't know the Avatar would be here," the guest gasped out, drawing attention to Aang. Joo Dee's smile dropped as Aang blushed and waved to the crowd, laughing nervously. Sokka walked over to Aang, leaning down to whisper in Aang's ear.

"You keep their attention while we look for the king," Sokka whispered to Aang before turning around and grabbing Azara hand, tugging her with him. "Come on, we'll find him ourselves." As Sokka led her through the crowd, Azara couldn't help but feel the multitude of eyes on them and their interlinked hands. "What about over there—"

"—Excuse me," a man interrupted Sokka, stepping in front of them. He was clearly an Earth Kingdom noble, probably a few years or so older than Azara and Sokka. "Ma'am are you alright?" he asked, turning to Azara, who looked up at him with surprise.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Azara replied, looking over at Sokka before turning back to the man.

"Well, it appeared that you were being dragged against your will by this lowly servant," the man spoke, causing Azara's eyes to widen in realization before sharpening in anger.

"No, I was not!" Azara snapped, stepping forwards. "And he's not some—"

"—Azara, it's fine," Sokka interrupted, glancing over at the man, before turning back to Azara. "We'll just split up," he told her quietly, before ducking back into the crowd.

"Sokka, wait!" Azara called, moving to follow after him when the crowd moved in, preventing her from chasing after him.

"May I escort you—" the man tried to speak but Azara cut him off with the snap of her fan, most her face now blocked from his view.

"—You've done quite enough already," Azara huffed before stalking away, deciding to look for the Earth King on her own. As she neared the edge of the crowd, she spotted Aang waterbending various colored liquids on top of the table, the crowd cheering and Bosco clapping along excitedly at his display.

Spotting Katara and Toph in front of her, Azara was about to call out for them, when she felt something strong wrap around her mouth and waist. "Hey!" she yelled out, though it was muffled by the rock as she flew back into the hands of a Dai Li agent. "Let me go!" she struggled, but the two Dai Li agents held her tightly and led her away from the grand hall.

They walked her through a side hallway before stopping in front of a set of grand doors. Another agent opened the door before the two guards who were holding her pushed her into the room rather roughly. "Asshats!" Azara shouted after them as they slammed the door in her face.

Huffing, Azara crossed her arms over her chest until the door opened and Sokka was thrown into the room unceremoniously. "What's happening?" he asked, seeing Azara in front of him and sitting up.

"I don't know," Azara replied, helping him up as Toph and Katara were pushed into the room too. They didn't have to wait long before Long Feng and Aang entered the library, Dai Li agents standing by the door to prevent their escape. Long Feng took his seat in front of a green fire, the color of the flames unnerving Azara.

"Why won't you let us talk to the king? We have information that could defeat the Fire Nation!" Sokka demanded, stepping forwards, glaring at Long Feng.

"The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day-to-day minutia of military activities," Long Feng dismissed, causing Azara to scoff.

"Then what does he deal with? You're in the middle of losing a hundred-year long war!" she pointed out, placing her hands on her hips.

"This could be the most important thing he's ever heard," Aang added, causing Long Feng to shake his head.

"What's most important to his royal majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters. It's my job to oversee the rest of the city's resources, including the military," Long Feng explained, causing the group to share surprised looks.

"So, the king is just a figurehead," Katara realized, her eyes widening in shock.

"He's your puppet!" Toph snapped angrily, causing Long Feng to shake his head again.

"Oh, no, no. His Majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly change of an endless war," Long Feng dismissed as Azara felt her frustration with the man start to grow.

"But we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless. You could lead an invasion—" Sokka started, but he was cut off by Long Feng.

"—Enough! I don't want to hear your ridiculous plan. It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned within the walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic," Long Feng replied, standing up from his chair. "Our economy would be ruined, our peaceful way of life, our traditions, would disappear. In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia: the last one on Earth."

"You can't keep the truth from all these people. They have the right to know," Katara insisted as Azara glared at Long Feng.

"How can you continue to explain away the hundreds of refugees who arrive in Ba Sing Se every day!? While you sit up here like fat kings, the Earth King's citizens outside these walls are suffering and dying every day at the hands of the Fire Nation and you're concerned about your economy!? Do you even hear yourself?!"

"I'll tell them! I'll make sure everyone knows!" Aang threatened, stepping forward with a hard glare on his face.

"Until now, you've been treated as our honored guest," Long Feng began, bending down to look Aang in the eye. "But from now on, you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the war to anyone, you will be expelled from the city." Long Feng turned around to stare into the fire. "I understand you've been looking for your bison. It would be a shame if you were not able to complete your quest."

"Is that a threat?" Azara snapped, her glare intensifying as Long Feng turned to her.

"No, this is," he replied, stepping towards her. "That war you want to talk so much about, Princess Azara, remind me what side your family is on in the conflict?"

Azara was not one to be bullied, however, and narrowed her eyes at him. "I won't be pushed around by the words of a coward," she hissed, causing Long Feng to smirk.

"Very well, Princess, but what about more than just words?" Azara raised an eyebrow at his statement until she was once again grabbed from behind by the fists of Dai Li agents. She yelled out as Aang glared at Long Feng threateningly. Sokka glared at the Dai Li agents, his hand resting on his boomerang. "Consider this your last warning, Princess, Avatar. Not only will you be kicked out of the city should you talk about the war, but your friend here will be promptly returned to the nation she so quickly distances herself from," Long Feng threatened, gesturing towards Azara with a flick of his chin.

"You wouldn't," Toph argued, but Long Feng remained stiff in front of the green flames.

"I would. Like I said, last warning." Azara was released from her bindings and pushed forward unceremoniously. If it wasn't for Sokka's reflexes, she would have fallen flat onto her face. Holding onto him, the two of them glared at Long Feng as the door to the room opened.

The group turned to look at who arrived, their eyes widening in surprise. "Come with me, please," the woman requested, a wide smile on her face. Even though it was the same creepy smile, it wasn't the Joo Dee that they had met earlier.

"What happened to Joo Dee?" Katara asked, as the woman bowed to them.

"I'mJoo Dee. I'll be your host as long as you're in our wonderful city." The groupshared horrified looks as the woman continued to smile cheerfully at them. 

A.N. As promised, here's the second half of The City of Walls and Secrets episode! Thanks for reading, voting, and commenting! I really appreciate all the support you guys have given to this story!

The next update might take a few days, but I currently plan to release two OC chapters titled "The Tale of Azara" and "The Tale of Azara and Sokka" next. After that, there's about 7 or 8 chapters left and then it's the end of Book 2, so stay tuned!