Raid on the Chou palace

"fire"

- Hand over all the food you're hoarding, and we won't give you any trouble.

The raid on the Chou estate was a small rebellion, instigated by a band of villagers who lived atop the shell of a fire-bestowing lion turtle, on the residence of the Chou family. It was led and orchestrated by Wan as a means of plundering the Chou's cellar for food.

History
After a failed attempt to steal from the Chou family, Wan lamented about his poor living situation. Although Jaya told him that he simply needed to accept that the world was the way it was in order to dissuade him from stealing from the Chous again, Wan took that as an incentive to change his situation. By volunteering for a hunt in the Spirit Wilds, he received the ability to firebend, which he did not return to the lion turtle as was the rule. Instead, he brought the ability back with him into the city and used it to inspire several peasant to rebel against the Chous.



At night, the group assembled outside of the Chou estate. Jaya attempted to dissuade Wan a last time from going through with his plan, since bringing the power of fire was forbidden. Wan dismissed his concerns, responding that it was time they showed the Chous that they did not fear them and had the power to change their destiny.

They all disguised themselves and approached the estate, where Wan demanded entrance. Chou the Elder, noticing the group of peasants, questioned their presence. The tallest of the Chou brothers responded by informing his father not to worry and that they would handle the situation. As the Chou brothers emerged from inside, Wan offered the three the chance to avoid a conflict if they would give up their food supply. As the only visibly armed party, the brothers laughed at the comment, believing they had the upper hand. However, as they charged the rebels, a masked Wan stepped forward and firebent at them, forcing them out of the way and breaking down the front gate.



The rebels infiltrated the estate, where Wan used his firebending to destroy the door to the food cellars. On his orders, the peasants began taking as much food as they could gather. However, as they were making their way out, the Chou brothers returned with reinforcements. Wan instructed Jaya to get everyone to safety and promptly charged the incoming defenders. Although vastly outnumbered, his bending abilities allowed him to keep the guards at bay. The fight continued in his advantage, until the littlest of the Chou brothers jumped on his back and unmasked him. Wan managed to throw him off, but when the Chou began to beg for mercy, Wan felt his resolve to strike him down waver and he surrendered; the moment he dissipated his fire, he was overpowered by the guards.

Aftermath


Wan was taken before the lion turtle, where Chou the Elder asked him to reveal the identity of his co-conspirators. Wan's refusal to answer caused Chou the Elder to conclude that he had no other choice than to banish Wan to the Spirit Wilds for his crimes. Despite the request of the littlest of Chous, Wan was allowed to keep his firebending from the lion turtle, though was never to return to the city.