Chapter 1 Echoes and doubts

Aang sat down in the tall bush surrounding the area. He loved this. His mind was clear as he lay down in the shrubbery. He could hear everything. The Lang birds squawking in the trees, Momo chattering away, and even the mimworms in the ground digging away. It was almost like he was in the Avatar state.

"APPA DON'T EAT MY FOOD!!!!!" Sokka yelled.

Aang winced but went back to listening to the earth.

"SOKKA THAT'S MY SHARE!!!" Toph screamed at Sokka.

Aang grounded but soon it was quite. Ok just listen to the earth all is calm all is clear all is…

"AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! BAD MOMO!!!! MY FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Oh come on Sokka; Momo's just hungry." This was Katara, Sokka's sister.

"Guys come on!" Toph was nearly screaming again.

They all started yelling at each other.

"IT WAS MY FOOD!"

"WELL IF YOU DIDN'T EAT SOOOOOOOO MUCH!"

Aang just could not take it.

"Everyone please be quiet!!!!!!"

Silence.

"Good. Sorry I yelled. Look I know that we're all nervous about the attack on the fire nation, but we need to keep our heads cool."

Aang let this sink in.

"Ok I'm with Aang on this; we should get to the next town A.S.A.P," said Katara.

They all packed their bags on Appa and set off.

"Guys do you really think we can pull this off?" asked Katara.

"Of course! What would even make you ask that?"

"It's… just…just I've had doubts…about this whole thing. I mean if we fail then… then…."

The whole group knew what Katara was saying. They had all been afraid of this. Failure, shame, and even death.

They sat for a long time not being able to say anything.

"You know I usually let Aang and Katara do the pep talks but I think I can do this one."

Aang was very surprised that this was coming from Sokka.

"Ok look I know that the odds are… well not in our favor, but I'm a good swordsman, we have the Avatar, a great Earth binder, and Katara you are a sweet water binder. Soooooo what are we worried about?"

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm with Sokka."

"Thanks Katara… hey waiiiit a sec….."

Before Sokka could become his regular self Aang spotted a town. They flew to a nearby beach to hide Appa and set off to the large town.

"Ok guys let's get some lunch and supplies and then get out of here. All right?"

Aang and Sokka looked for a good place to eat while Toph and Katara went to get extra supplies.

"mmm… there's Lee's Meat house," Sokka said as they walked down the small street.

"Hey! I'm a vegetarian."

"Oh yeah sorry well there's…. Aang get back."

"Why?"

"Just get back Ok?"

Aang backed up and peeked over Sokka's shoulder and immediately wished he hadn't. He saw a young man holding a sword to a vendor's throat.

He could hear the man saying "Please don't hurt me… I-I'll give you anything just have mercy!"

"Mercy? MERCY?! Like you fire nation scum know the meaning of the word!" the man said. Aang thought he sounded femiler.

"Please no. I-I-I have a wife and two kids they need… AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" and the vendor stopped talking.

The young man cleaned the blood off his sword and walked off leaving the vendor's body behind.

"Aang. Do you remember who that is?"

Aang looked into his memories and realized who it was.

"No it can't be. Not here!"

"Yes he is here. Right here, right now. Jet is back."