The Ba Sing Se Reporter

THE MISSING AVATAR: COULD THE CYCLE BE BROKEN?

It has been nearly 50 years since the mysterious death of Avatar Xiang Lao, when the elderly avatar's body was found somewhere near the Northern Water Tribe. After an autopsy, it was clear that the avatar had been murdered, poisoned by a harmful chemical that was most likely slipped into his food. Detectives have not been able to track down the murderer, the exact date of the crime or any details of the avatar's last days alive.

Experts and temple sages have since been testing newborn children for any signs of the new avatar. Unfortunately, they have had no luck. I asked Li Wei, Grand Sage of the Republic of the Fire Nation, to tell me his thoughts on the avatar's absence. "Avatar Xiang was born a firebender," Wei says, "Which means that the next avatar in the cycle must be born an airbender. As you know, the air nomads were nearly extinct during Sozin's War," (which is what the people of the Republic call the Great Hundred Year War) "so the air nomad nation has been destroyed. However, airbenders are still born, primarily in the Southern Water Tribe, although a few of Avatar Aang's descendants did migrate to the other nations. We believe that that could have some effect on the cycle, as the avatar is usually born into the next nation in the cycle, but now cannot, as the nation does not exist. Perhaps the avatar must wait to be born as an airbender who is most genetically airbender."

Wei's theory was not solely scientific, however. He also had a more spiritual justification. According to legend, if the avatar is killed while in the "Avatar State," an incredibly powerful state in which the avatar employs the strengths of his or her past lives, the avatar cycle is broken. Since nothing is known of Avatar Xiang's death, it could be possible that Xiang was forced into the Avatar State before he was killed. If this were true, then the avatar is lost forever. The Sages, in all nations, aren't jumping to such drastic conclusions, however. "We will keep searching for the next avatar," says Earth Temple Sage Kinlau. "No matter how long it takes, we will keep our hope alive that the avatar will return to us. After all, Avatar Aang returned against all odds. Perhaps the next avatar is waiting for a similar comeback."

--Mayu Chiang

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"This is absolutely ridiculous!!!" Avatar Aang cried. "Why? Why do they think this is okay? Did they not see what happened when I disappeared? Did they not see the complete pandemonium that befalls the world when the avatar's not there? Did they not see that one nation was wiped out, and the other three were on the way? Do they not remember that the world was of the brink of destruction, and had you and Sokka not found me, it would have been all over? And now they want to pull this again? On purpose?!? It was bad enough when I was frozen in an iceberg, but to have the avatar not be born at all FOR FIFTY YEARS?!?"

"Aang, sweetheart, please calm down. I'm sure the Spirit Council knows what they're doing." In fact she wasn't sure. But Katara had to soothe her husband down somehow, before he hurt himself.

"You're probably right." Aang sighed. "I still need to talk to them, though. Things are starting to look a bit dangerous. The Northern Water Tribe is getting too big for their britches and well…I don't want anything like the Great War. Never again. I have to make sure they're planning on sending the avatar into the Mortal World soon."

"Then go. But be careful. You know the Council gets testy."

"I will," he said with a kiss, "don't worry."

It wasn't a long journey to the Spirit Council's palace, and the door was opened before Aang could knock. "Avatar Aang," Said a short, squashed-faced monkey, the Council's butler, "You've been expected."

Aang entered the Council's meeting room with authority. He did, after all, have every right to be here. It was his job to oversee and protect if necessary any future incarnations of the avatar. He had to make sure no new wars were started.

"Avatar Aang," said a tall and imposing man in a dark cloak. He was the Head of the Council. "We have been expecting you to come. It is quite a concern of yours that we have decided to wait to send the avatar into the Mortal World."

"Yes. It is. I for one know how dangerous the world can become with no avatar. I just wanted to be sure that the next avatar is to be born soon."

The Head smiled. "Of course Avatar Aang, you do know that the next element in the cycle is air. And that there aren't that many airbenders in the world."

Aang nodded grimly.

"We have to find the right airbender, Aang. And haven't had many to choose from. But worry not, Avatar Aang. We have chosen the next avatar. And she will be born quite soon. In fact…" He glanced down at the large crystal bowl in the center of the table. "She has just been born. So let your worry pass, Avatar Aang. The world is safe. The Avatar has returned.

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And now for the AUTHOR'S NOTES!!!

If you don't care, feel free to skip this part.

First and foremost, the most important part of being an Avatard, I am a …KATAANG SHIPPER!!! (dun dun DUUUUUUUUUUN!!!) But fear not, Zutarians and Tophaangers and any supporters of ships that oppose Kataang, I'll try to keep the Kataanginess to a minimum. You might get a reference every now and then, but not that much. So you are free to enjoy this fic without the desire to destroy me or your computer. I hope.

Second and second…most… your classic little "why I decided to do this" bit. Again, feel free to skip this if you want, but I'd really appreciate it if a few of you read it!

Why did I choose to make the Northern Water Tribe about to attack? Because I figured the Fire Nation probably learned its lesson. And, well, the Northern Water Tribe's uptight tradition-worshipping greater-than-thou-attitude-ness is the perfect formula for an eventual dictatorship. You'll hear more in other chapters.

Why haven't I introduced the main character? It's a prologue. Its main purpose is backstory. You'll meet the main character in the next chapter, I promise.

Why did I start with a newspaper article? I dunno. Felt like it.

Why did I waste your time with these retarded notes? Uh… R