This is my first story. I hope you like it.
Chapter 1
Aang's POV
"This is humiliating", said Sokka.
"What is? Getting beaten by the Fire Nation or walking all the way to the western air temple? " huffed his sister.
"Both "said Sokka miserably.
"We are almost there. Appa gets tired" I tried to reason.
" Hey , We are here!" said Toph suddenly.
"Where?" said Sokka looking around eagerly.
There was nothing but a big hole in the ground. To outsiders this place may seem indifferent but if you had been here before, like me , then you would have known that we have reached the Western Air Temple. It is no surprise that Toph knows too.
"Um...Toph, your feet need to get their eyes checked", said Katara uncertainly.
I suddenly felt a pang of anger. Toph does NOT need to get her feet checked. Wow , where did that come from? I wondered. I quickly brushed it aside.
"No, she's right. Welcome to the Western Air Temple" , I announced proudly.
The Western Air Temple was a magnificent sight. It was constructed upside down on the cliff, making it the most unique air temple. I am so happy that my friends are going to see it! Its so exciting!
As we settled in, Haru , Teo , Pipsqueak and the others went to explore. I was happily following then. I needed to see the enlarged Pai Shao table, but Katara stopped me.
Ugh! I wanted to see what has changed here in 100 years. A lot apparently.
I must have said that aloud as Katara spoke up "Not now, Aang. You can go exploring later. Now we have some serious deciding to do." She sounded like a strict teacher. A very strict teacher.
"But…", I tried to reason with her.
"No, we need to decide on what to do and since you are the Avatar, you need to participate." , she said, sarcasm literally dripping from her voice..
Well, now that she mentions it that way…
"Fair enough." I slumped and took my seat
Toph laughed out loud. Sokka fell of his chair, laughing so hard. I looked around confused, why were they laughing?
"So, what's the new plan?" , I asked impatiently. I wanted to go and explore.
Surprisingly Sokka spoke up first, "The new plan, if you ask me, is the old plan." , he looked pretty pleased with himself, but I , honestly, had no idea what he was talking about.
Not surprisingly, neither did the others, judging by the blank faces he was getting, even Toph was 'looking' at him blankly. Noticing this, Sokka sighed and said, "Aang will master all the four elements and defeat the Fire lord before summer."
I sighed. Only if it were that easy. I looked around for any other better ideas when I observed Toph thinking something deeply.
Toph's POV
Great way for Sokka to ruin the mood. There is no way Twinkle Toes will find a fire bending teacher in time. The whole Fire Nation hates him. There are outcasts but I don't know any…Or do I?
Flashback
"See H! I made fire! I can firebend!" ,said a young ten year old girl.I stood next to her, in awe, as she made fire out of nothing. Although I couldn't actually see the fire, but I knew she was bending and the pure joy in my sister's voice made me realize how happy she was to bend.
"Great job, Kai!", I replied but quickly added "But earthbending is better". Immediately, Kai stopped bending and was quiet. I, being a eight year old girl didn't understand this silence and just stood there, waiting for her to speak. "No, Toph" she replied in her 'serious' voice. She only used my full name when she was serious. "All the four elements are equally powerful", she replied. I smiled and nodded while replying "Yes Kai, what you say is true". My sister was very wise. She hugged me and I returned the hug happily. But it was a pity that she wasn't my real sister. Her real name was Reeka, but I called her Kai.
"Children, come for dinner. And Toph honey, take help from Reeka", came the voice of , my and my sister's mother. Even though Kai heard her adopted mother perfectly well, she made no attempt to help me. I had to smile at that. Even as a little girl, I hated to be weak. Kai knew that I can use my earthbending to see and could perfectly well guide myself across the hall to the dining room but had not disclosed this to our parents, which I was immensely grateful for. I was irritated by the way I was treated at home and had always gone to Kai for guidance. She understood my agitation and wondered if I should tell our parents about my immensely improved eaarthbending skills. I had refused, but she had warned me of the danger of them finding out my abilities. I had smiled and had told her "They should be able to deal with it." But I wasn't so sure. Kai understood my hesitance and had jokingly told "Well, H you could always run away". But I was seriously considering it, and was worried but I always had Kai to help me.
Kai nudged me playfully as we came to the dining room and we commenced to eat.
Flashback Ends
I smiled. I really miss Kai and remembered what happened the following week of that day…she was caught firebending and ran away, but not before promising me that we will find each other in the near future. Well I should make that promise come true. I grinned and stood up.
Aang's POV
Everyone was silent as they thought another solution to our dilemma. Sudeenly, Toph stood up and broke the silence by saying "I know a girl who can teach Twinkle Toes", she smiled. "And I bet she's not working for the Fire Nation."
I smiled, but I was slightly-ok, maybe very- curious to know who Toph was talking about. I, personally couldn't picture her with any Fire Nation girls. But at least we know someone who can teach me.
"But where will we find this 'girl'? ", asked Sokka suspiciously and disapprovingly while raising his eyebrows while mentioning the word 'girl'.
I just shook my head in amusement and from the corner of my eyes, saw both Katara and Toph rolling their eyes. But oblivious to them, Sokka continued while standing up "I mean, aren't any of you suspicious of this so called 'girl'? ". He should really stop raising his eyebrows and wriggling them. "Yes, we are Sokka but she is our only chance. I mean, do you know any firebending girls that can teach Aang?" replied Katara, looking highly irritated. "No." muttered Sokka and sat back down.
Toph then said, "We will have to trace her". Sokka groaned. I closed my eyes and suddenly recalled my Swamp vision, which showed not only Toph this time, but another girl, looking slightly older, hidden in the bushes. She had laughed and it had appeared if Toph and she were playing some game. I opened my eyes and asked Toph, "Wait, did this girl have green eyes and jet black hair?". She looked surprised and replied "Well, Yes she did, but how do you know?"
If it was a surprise to her, imagine how I might have felt. She just appeared in my vision, because I am sure she wasn't there before, but this means she is someone I am going to meet and I can't wait! Realizing that Toph was still waiting for my answer, I replied, "She was someone I saw, just like I saw you ". Toph understood and nodded. Katara spoke up "In your swamp vision? ". I just nodded. Sokka announced ,"Then we will find her but I still don't trust her".Toph looked at me and asked " what was she wearing?" I recalled and said "Earth kingdom clothes" Toph smiled and spoke up, "I just might know where she is".
"Wait, what is her name?", Sokka asked, very curiously. Toph smile and said "Reeka".