| ....EARTH {{serial chapter summaries}} |
Episode Title: The King of Omashu
Book: Air
Episode Number: 5
Chapter Number: 5
Summary:
The trio had arrived at the Earth Kingdom City of Omashu, the 'friendliest place' according to Aang. It's a highly protected, wall-barracked city ruled by a King. In order to get in, and avoid any trouble, Katara and Sokka dress Aang up as an old man with Appa's fur. After all, they don't want to let anyone know he's the Avatar.
After a 'near call' with the Earth Kingdom guards, the trio find themselves inside. Aang relates back to his past when he and an good friend named Bumi, who lived in Omashu, used to ride the chutes. Though Katara admits she thought it sounded like fun, she didn't look overjoyed as the trio prepared to try to ride the chutes. Aang tells them that once they've done this, they could head back on track. After doing some damages, and meeting the Cabbage Man, the trio are arrested and sent to the King for punishment. And yet, instead of punishing the trio for their misdeeds, the King throws a feast.
As they're eating, the King inquires on the children, asking Aang where he's from who tells him he's from Kangaroo Island. The King talks about being tired and a good night's sleep then suddenly throws a chicken leg at Aang, who catches it by using the element air. He informs his men that they are in the presence of the Avatar. Aang tries to weasle out, looking under the table and stating that there are no problems here that he would have to fix, while the three inch toward the door but to no avail. Aang is given an order - perform three challenges and beat them and they're off the hook.
While the idea of Momo escaping though the air vent doesn't work out, the group end up settling in for the night in the recently refurbished prison which looks quite nice for a place supposed to house miscreants. Aang wakes up to find Katara and Sokka gone and he approaches the King in anger. The King merely brings out the two and places two rings made of pure Geminite, also known as creeping crystal, that will grow and cover up the two completely. In order to save his friends, now Aang is forced to do the three tasks. But first, the King asks him about his opinion on his new stylized outfit, the shocking color of royal purple with frivolous designing. Aang, warily, responds that it looks nice. The King beams and says that he passed the first task. Aang asks if that's true and the King says, no, it's not. He just wanted to know what Aang thought of his outfit.
The first challenge is to get the key under a powerful waterfall so that the King could open his lunch box. Though there is a ladder that Aang could and does try to climb, the pressure of the water makes it impossible to use. As Aang tries to think of a different way, the King is remarking on how what Aang has done is like what everyone else would have tried. Aang looks up, sees the jagged rock and by using the element air to first make a 'hole' the waterfall, throws the pointed rock to hit the key and send it out from under the water. They then go on to the next challenge.
It appears as if Flopsy, the King's cherished pet, must be retrieved. There are two creatures, a cute, adorable fluffy bunny and a rather large and frightening looking rabbit/deer/dog hybrid that goes after Aang who naturally goes after the bunny. After a moment, while he's shouting for Flopsy and the cute bunny is avoiding him like crazy, the idea hits him as he turns and asks the still running creature 'Flopsy?' When it looks like he's going to be crushed, he closes his eyes and takes a peek. Flopsy is wagging his tail, beaming and gives him a huge lick. The King calls to him and Flopsy bounds up for a bell rub. Now on to the third challenge.
The last challenge is a duel. Aang can chose anyone he wants. Two frightening-looking men appear as Aang asks the King if he can chose anyone and the King says he can. Aang picks the King, thinking him as frail, old man when the King smirks and tells him 'wrong choice'. Underneath that frilly and senile exterior is a powerfully and one of the most powerful Earthbenders known. Aang is given back his staff and the two fight. The King remarks on the 'avoid and evade' tactic, an Airbender way of battling. He tells Aang to try to fight him as the two get more and more into it. The King can move the earth, rip out the walls, and even sandbend, all of which Aang uses air to either avoid, dispell, or pull himself out. Aang eventually gets an upper hand as he catches a large boulder with a air tunnel, sends it back, and as the King breaks it, Aang presses the staff against the King, blocking him from any other movement.
Aang wants his friends free, both which are nearly covered save for their faces in geminite. But first, the King asks him for one more challenge. What is the King's name? Aang ponders on how he had to think outside the box to solve his problems, getting out of his own way of thinking to adapt to creative thinking. As Aang comes to the conclusion, he grins at the King and tells him 'You're a genius, Bumi!' The two friends are now properly reunited. Aang asks him, though, what was the point in the tasks and Bumi tells him that he has to learn to think differently from the natural way of thinking. That once faced with his destiny against the Fire Lord, he'll be able to think like a mad genius. Then he releases the two with Earthbending and tells the astonished group that geminite is also rock candy, his favorite treat. The chapter ends with Aang and Bumi riding the chutes for fun.