The reign of Fire Lord Zuko was marked by great changes to the world even as it began. Zuko's first announcement after his official coronation was that he was bringing an end to the Hundred Years War, with the intent of working to usher in an era of peace. In the same breath, he proclaimed bringing about the fulfillment of Sozin's dream. To say that those listening were confused was an understatement. There was also some grumbling about the fact that Fire Lord Zuko had already arranged to take a second wife before even going through with wedding the one he'd been engaged to for years, with some comments about 'a horny teenager' 'taking advantage' of 'sacred tradition'. However, with how rumors had spread about why Ozai had fled rather than face Zuko, the opinionated members of the populace did their grumbling very quietly.
Then came the actual planning of the peace summit. The first major issue that arose was choosing the location that the leaders of all factions could meet up in. While Ba Sing Se was Zuko's first choice, it was quickly discarded as it was a point of Earth Kingdom strength, one place that never fell during the war, and it wouldn't do for the leader initiating such a summit to be doing so from a position of perceived weakness. Unfortunately, the only positions of strength for the Water Benders were the two poles, which were inappropriate for venues due to only the Water Tribes being comfortable there. And any city in Fire Nation territory or currently occupied was out because none of the leaders of the Earth Kingdom or Water Tribes would agree to meet there. At first Aang had suggested one of the Air Temples as a neutral ground, but of them, one was a graveyard, one was occupied by the Fire Nation, one was inaccessible to anyone who couldn't fly, and the last no longer contained the traditional Air Nomad architecture that would properly encourage the peaceful discussions.
At long last, however, a location was selected. As it turned out, King Bumi had retaken Omashu single-handed during the Eclipse, and was more than happy to host a Peace Summit...as long as everyone obeyed his rules regarding such things. With Aang's endorsement of Bumi as 'a mad genius, but good hearted' and similar encouragement from Cadence and Iroh, Zuko had readily agreed. Once Zuko had agreed, King Kuei had to agree as an Earth Kingdom city was still a position of strength, and refusal would be seen as cowardice. The other leaders of Earth Kingdom factions agreed for much the same reasons. Once the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdoms had agreed, the Water Tribes had no choice but to accept it as well, or be seen as deliberately obstructing attempts at peace.
Then Bumi actually started drafting the 'Rules of Peace Summit Etiquette in Omashu', and everyone else began having second thoughts.
Zuko sighed in relief as he laid back against the stone wall of his guest quarters in Omashu, staring out at the city as he got a breath of fresh air. The first stage of the 'traditional ceremonies' for the Peace Talks had been finally concluded for the day, and the rest would likely take the rest of the week, if not longer, before they actually got down to any talking. The day's 'performance' had taken a good deal out of him already, and he could well understand why everyone who knew him referred to Bumi as 'mad', though the genius part escaped him for the moment. It would have to be someone mad who would decide to start a peace conference by having the political leaders and their entourage perform a musical ballet representing the history of the war and the events of its resolution. He was never going to get the mental image of Bumi in that tutu out of his mind.
It wasn't all bad, he reminded himself, focusing on the fact that Jin and Mai both participated as part of his entourage. Mai was against it at first, until Jin encouraged her by pointing out the effect of the pair of them in tutus would have on Zuko's 'performance'. They were enjoying tormenting him far too much in his opinion. And I don't want to know how Bumi had a tutu in my sizes ready.
Though if Zuko was being honest with himself, he still was having a hard time believing Bumi managed to convince everyone to actually go along with it. Then again, by presenting it as a test of the various diplomats personal dedication to making peace had shut a lot of complaining and offended mouths. Truthfully, Zuko was just glad it was finally over...and wished the performance hadn't been written by the Ember Island Players. The way they had characterized everyone had been somewhere between humiliating and ludicrous.
Pushing it all out of his mind for the moment, he looked around the city, surprised to spot Aang not far from his window, staring down at the city as well. "Something on your mind?" he called out to the Avatar.
"Just having trouble wrapping my mind around the whole peace conference," Aang replied. "It's...hard to wrap my head around it all finally being over."
"And peace resting on Bumi's whims?" Zuko asked ruefully, quirking his eyebrow up.
"Bumi's not actually that crazy," Aang countered. "Don't underestimate him."
"I won't," Zuko agreed. "But some of these things..." He shook his head. "What's tomorrow's 'diplomatic event' again?"
"A demonstration of bending talents," Aang replied, grinning. "Any faction leader with bending abilities will be using them to race down the Omashu mail chutes. I'll be representing the Air Nomads, Bumi the Earth Kingdoms, and Master Pakku the Water Tribes. So you'll be racing against us with your fire." He laughed gaily. "Last time I raced a Fire Bender down these chutes, I was trying to save Bumi from your sister."
"Only to discover he didn't need saving?" Zuko countered, quirking an eyebrow. "Don't think I'll be as easy to outrun than she was."
Aang grinned widely. "I'll keep that in mind."
The next day, the four 'faction leaders' were arranged at the top of the mail system. Bumi rested in one of the mail baskets, ready to speed himself along. Pakku had gathered water around himself to send an ice platform shooting down. Aang had prepared his vacuum sphere to ride. Grinning, Zuko prepared his fire skates, which caused Aang to gasp in amazement.
"That's amazing!" Aang gasped out. "How'd you come up with that?"
"I based it off that technique," Zuko explained, pointing at the sphere Aang was riding.
"When the conference is over, you have got to teach me!" Aang insisted.
"On your mark!" Cadence proclaimed, hovering before the group, bringing attention back to the race at hand. "Get Set! ...GO!"
The race was on.
King Bumi a mad Genus.
What kind of King uses his city as his personal playground?
Don't answer that
Taking bets here!
PS, 10 on Bumi.
one Ba Shen Sei should be Omashu.
ALL HAIL THE MAD GENIUS KING BUMI!
But seriously, the image of him wearing a tutu will give me nightmares.
Now that Zuko is Firelord, will you be using the comics for the next chapters, because Yu Dao is the town that later will become Republic City, there were a lot of tensions about it when the decolonization started, also will zuko search for his mother?, in the comics he does search for her, will he be doing it here too?, if you somehow bring the comics here, I wonder how all will play now that cadance is arround, espetially if she talk to the spirit in ¨The Rift¨, or play matchmaking with toph.
... If you hear a thundering noise, that's me applauding.
This story is... Racing to the finish soon isn't it?
Who knew that Bumi hosting the conference would be... Skating the line of actually being fun.
At least Bumi knows how to... Dress for success.
When dancing with the elements make sure you don't... Play with fire, slip and slide, do any earth shattering movements and don't go where the wind takes you.
6951275 I'll take that bet, and raise you to 50. I'll also toss in a second option of 5 on Aang, he's done this a few times. Zuko's a long shot, and Pakku would be an upset to end all upsets.
So what story will come after this one is done?
And Cadence enters the race.... with Fart-Bending
*Refer to "Bad Girl" Chapter 13
Mad genius indeed
6951270 Bumi, duh. That's the only answer to that question
I"m sorry, but when I think of Bumi, all I can think of is the Avatar Abridged version.
"STEROIDS AND CRACK COCAINE!"
"Yes? No? Maybe? Lobster?"
Another enjoyable chapter. I can imagine the Earth King's performance being particularly beautiful. Good job.
6951332
I'll raise that that bet to a 100 bits on an incident happening that causes three of the four racers to crash while Bumi is somehow able to avoid the incident and win. With a side bet of 75 bits on Zuko winning it if the incident doesn't happen.
Is it weird that I am imagining the music from Mario kart playing?
6951319
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
6951275 I'll put a Monty Python reference on Zuko.
oH, THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD!!!
*Stars in eyes* THIS IS GONNA ROCK!!!
*reaches end of chapter* DAMMIT TATSURO, UPDATE ASAP, I WANT TO SEE HOW THE RACE GOES!!! This is the one time racing will probably not be boring since each character is using a different element and style.
What chapter did that happen in?
6951612
It didn't. That was part of the show and Aang's journey. Zuko was elsewhere.
6951621 oh. I thought that it was in the story.
6951492 Which one?
6951275 I'll Raise you 500 bits, and several packs of Choc. Chip Cookies on Zuko Tying with Bumi!
6951319
You deserve your name sans
6951275 I'm putting down 300,000 Lien on Master Pakku coming in dead last after an early lead, Aang having too much fun watching the other competitors to pay attention to the race and losing his lead to a silly stunt, and for Bumi to hold the lead for the rest of the race only to pull back at the last second and let Zuko win through some unforeseen circumstances (like Flopsy interfering at some point).
Also, side bet that Cadance becomes a dark horse (pun intended) victor via her own unique bending style. Since someone else already suggested this one, only putting 20 bits on this one.
6951319 SANS I SWEAR TO GOD!
Are we getting a Wacky Races chapter next? Please say yes!
After the return to Equestria and this part is told:
*Candace notices Celestia looking thoughtful*
"Auntie, are you okay?"
"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine, just thinking."
*Next day*
"Steward, let me introduce the planner for the next Grand Galloping Gala, King Bumi."
Hahahaha, nice chapter well done, well done! :D
6951275 I got three hundred of Cadence :P something tells me she's going to get involved in this race...with her own little bending, if ya know what I mean. *grabs clothes pin*
6951888
If that actually happens then everyone at the gala is bucked.
Ah! So Bumi's betting that the various leaders will be able to more easily make a peace agreement if they've bonded over shared humiliation and merrymaking! Genius!
And thus the Olympics were born.
6951621 This should totally be the Olympics.
Hey, the whole 2 wives thing wasn't his idea. Not that he's complaining. Nor would you if you were him.
Right, that makes
That sounds fair. Besides, Bumi is A LOT of fun. Plus, he can earthbend with his CHIN.
Oh boy.
You poor poor soul.
He just lives by the motto of the greatest Disney villain ever, as well as the Boy Scouts as well as a crazy singing CGI goat. Be Prepared. Also, size, singular.
Please let there be a flashback or some more on this...
Not, he's completely mad. He's just AWARE that he's completely mad, and has mastered his madness to make him look sane.
Heh, that should be fun.
Contrary to her, you're sane.
Good.
Neato.
I love how despite everything, Aang is still a kid at heart. It's great.
Y'know what? Imma do it.
6952256 Actually sizes in this case is correct since it can mean his B, W and H sizes. True there is also the traditional S, M, L and so on but I think sizes fits in better in this case if to add to the hilarity of Zuko's tutu being form fitting.
6952059
No, they're bucked if this mare gets in on the act:
6953042
If they both did it the universe would be screwed.
Bumi is best diplomat
6952277 and as for where he got it, Jin, Iroh, and Cadance all have the means to learn the fit, and Cadance and Iroh know Bumi personally.
6951319 you really have sansible sense of humorous and puny personality.
and im trying too hard. seriously how do you keep coming up with these puns so easily?!?!
tell me YOUR SECRETS!
6961343 Having a good understanding of the language is a start. After that comes with thinking about the situation and matching the phrase to it.
I guess that's all I can explain because I don't know how to explain so well.
6934397 You refuse to see any truths, don't you?
And he says I'm the bully. Probably just misspelt it- Probably meant that to be pointed at himself.
6963843 Dammit, he said take it somewhere else!
Two wives? He's doomed.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
calling it now, bumi's discord.... or baumi..
You did fit the Ember Island Players in here.
Though, here, they didn't get the story of Aang & friends from the cabbage guy.
Still like it.
When this Fire Lord Zuko reaches 88 miles per hour... you'll see some serious... uh... speed.