Okay, so this is my first fanfic. The first chapter is kind of slow but it will get better...
Disclaimer: Think about it. If I owned Avatar: TLA, would I be sitting here posting fan fiction?
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Katara stood, eyes wide, staring. She had been trained for many years to be sly, cunning and ready for anything, but that had caught her way of guard. She looked at the young boy she and her brother had just found trapped in an iceberg.
"You're the AVATAR?" Sokka exclaimed. "No way"
Aang looked uneasy. He stared first at Katara then Sokka and then the man who had revealed his identity to his newfound friends.
"I see from your expressions that you did not know this," the man said. He was Master Khwaja, head of the Southern Water Tribe's University and Katara's waterbending teacher.
The siblings shook their heads, still recovering from the shock. Khwaja smiled. "Come, Katara, Sokka. We must show the young Avatar our city.
Khwaja walked away towards the capital city. As she walked, Katara tried to make sense of what had just happened. They were fishing, her and Sokka, just fishing. Then before she knew it she had inadvertently cracked open an iceberg, revealing Aang and his flying bison, Appa. They had barely begun to ride Appa back to the city when they came across Khwaja. They introduced him to Aang and before she knew it, Khwaja had said "So you're the Avatar?" That's when Katara's head started to spin in disbelief. Nobody had seen the Avatar, or any air bender for that matter, in over one hundred years. And here she was, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, finding him after all that time. She couldn't believe it.
They reached the city wall. The waterbenders on top of it nodded to them and opened the gate, although they were clearly confused about the presence of Appa.
When they entered the city, Aang was overwhelmed. He had never seen so much ice. Everything, from the walls, to the roads, and even the buildings were made from the same blue ice. He saw the people of the southern water tribe look at him with great intent. He realized that he stuck out like a sore thumb. He was wearing yellow and orange in contrast to the blue and white of the citizens. That, and he was traveling with a ten ton bison.
The buildings were beautiful, like nothing Aang had ever seen before. There must have been thousands, but one stood out. It was the biggest building, right in the heart of the city. Aang looked at it. "What's that?" he asked in awe.
"That's the University," Katara answered, a hint of pride in her voice.
"All children in this city go there," Master Khwaja explained. "Sometimes one or two from other villages get in," he added with a chuckle.
Aang looked at him. "There are other places like this?"
"Yes, there are many villages in the south pole, though none are as big, or as beautiful, as our capital," Khwaja explained.
"Do they all have universities?" Aang questioned.
"No, this is the only one, although there are schools in the villages. Chief Hakoda made sure of that," Khwaja said, smiling at Katara and Sokka.
Aang noticed this. "What?" he asked.
"Didn't they tell you? Chief Hakoda is their father."
Katara and Sokka heard this. "What about dad?" Sokka asked.
"So that makes you guys…prince and princess," Aang realized.
"I guess you could say that," Katara answered.
Aang laughed. "I had no idea I was in the presence of royalty," he joked while bowing overdramatically.
"Finally some appreciation," Sokka said. Katara water-whipped him in the back of the head and began laughing.
"Ow," Sokka yelped. "That's not funny. Someone tell her that's not funny."
Aang looked at Katara. "You're a waterbender," he said with awe.
"Yea," Katara said, slightly confused.
"I need to learn waterbending. Hey, can you teach me?"
"You mean, you haven't mastered it yet?" Sokka questioned.
"No. I only know airbending. So can you?" he asked Katara again, almost pleading.
"No." It was Master Khwaja who had spoken. Aang looked at him, puzzled.
"Why?"
"Because Katara will be leaving us soon. She has an important mission to accomplish, regarding the war. She cannot teach you?"
"But then who will?"
"I would be honored to take you as my student, young Avatar," Khwaja explained.
"Really?! That's great," Aang said, excited.
"Meet me in the University practice yards at sunrise tomorrow. But for now, I must leave you guys. I will go tell the Chief of your arrival. Sokka, Katara. Show Aang where he will be staying."
With that, Master Khwaja walked off, leaving the three alone. "So where will I be staying?" Aang asked.
"The palace," Katara said.
They continued walking until they reached a large building, rivaled in size and splendor only by the University. "Wow," Aang gasped. "It's beautiful."
"It is," Katara agreed.
"Okay, while you two stand here admiring this place, I'm gonna get something to eat," Sokka said.
Katara rolled her eyes and showed Aang to his room. He bowed to her in thanks as she left, smiling. "Oh, Aang," Katara said, suddenly remembering something.
"Yea?" the young Airbender answered.
"Dinner tonight is in the Grand Hall at sunset. See you there." Katara left, leaving Aang alone to his thoughts.
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The feast that night was magnificent. Chief Hakoda had learned the Avatar had arrived in his city and made sure a fitting banquet was prepared. The highest ranking officials in the Water Tribe society were present, all anxiously awaiting the moment that they got to see the Avatar that was long thought to be dead. Even those citizens whom were not invited gathered in the streets outside the palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Airbender.
When all were seated and quiet inside the Grand Hall, Chief Hakoda entered and stood behind his spot at the dais. He looked out among his people, making sure all eyes were on him before beginning to speak.
"As many of you may have heard, we have a special guest with us tonight. I am more than pleased to announce to you, my people, that the Avatar has returned." Cheers erupted among all the people there. Not only the nobles, but all those who worked in the palace held their breath, longing to see the Airbender. Hakoda waited until the cheers died down. "My people, may I present to you, Avatar Aang of the Air Nomads."
At that, Aang walked out from behind the curtain where he had been waiting. He had tried to look his best, but still felt uncomfortable with all these people watching him. He had never been one for the spotlight. Regardless, he smiled his best and walked forward. He knew he was expected to say something.
"Thank you, everyone, Chief Hakoda," Aang said, bowing respectfully. "I am honored to be here, in the Southern Water Tribe." Aang didn't know what else to say, so he just looked at the Chief. Hakoda smiled.
"Let's eat."
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Katara ate silently, looking out among her people. She loved them, the Southern Water Tribe, her home. But a sadness washed over her. She knew her days here were numbered. She would leave in only three days, to go off into the world. And it scared her.
She looked over at the Avatar. He was airbending the food from the serving plates onto his own. The whole room seemed to be fascinated by this simple task. Some had even stopped eating just to stare at this wonder before them. Katara smiled. She hated to leave, especially just when Aang had arrived, but he reminded her of how important her task was. With the Avatar back, it was possible for the Fire Nation to be defeated. Unless she failed. That dreaded thought crossed her mind, but not for the first time. Like before, she forgot it. She had been trained for so long for this task, hand picked by Master Khwaja. She would not fail. She was too good.
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The next morning, Katara awoke before the sun. She looked up at the moon through her window and smiled as she said a short prayer to the moon spirit. She rolled out of her bed and began to get ready for the day.
She recalled the events from the day before, almost thinking she had been dreaming. But she hadn't. Katara sighed. My last day of training, she thought.
Katara creped down to the kitchen to grab a quick bite to eat before heading over to the University. She saw some other students make there way over as well.
Katara made her way up the steps and smiled when she saw Aang sitting at the top, patiently awaiting the arrival of his waterbending master. "Hey Aang," Katara said as she passed.
"Hey, Katara. What are you doing here?" Aang questioned.
Katara smiled. "I'm a student here. I come here everyday."
"Oh. What do you learn?" It was an innocent question.
Katara couldn't tell Aang the truth. Hardly anybody knew what she learned there at the University, but even fewer asked. "Mostly waterbending," she said. Well, it wasn't a lie.
"I thought you were a master already."
"I am." Katara answered, getting a little uneasy. She knew he was just being polite, but she was forbidden to tell him, even if he was the Avatar.
The sun popped up over the horizon, bathing the city in light. The early morning rays of the sun glinted off the ice buildings, making them shimmer like diamonds. A loud gong sounded and the last of the students hurried in through the University doors.
"She is, but that does not excuse her from classes."
Katara and Aang turned around. Master Khwaja stood there, towering over them. Katara smiled in spite of herself. "Sorry, Master," she said with a bow before turning and hurrying off to her class.
Khwaja smiled. He turned to Aang. "That is the gong. We will begin training each morning when it sounds, exactly at sunrise. Do not be late," he ordered.
Aang nodded his understanding.
"Good. Now let's begin," the Master said.
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Katara hurried to her class. She was glad that Master Khwaja had come to get her out of that situation. It was made clear to her from a young age that she was to tell nobody about what she learned at the University.
She walked into the classroom. Nineteen girls sat in a large circle on the floor, each with four small candles in front of them. The candles were the only source of light in the dark room. Nobody seemed to notice her as Katara walked in. They were all sitting cross-legged, eyes closed. Katara went to her spot and sat in front of her candles. She took her spark rocks and lit them. She then sat back and began to meditate with the others.
Katara breathed in and out. With each breath, the flames on each of the candles grew and shrank. To most people, it would appear as if the girls were all firebending, but they were not. Each of the girls that sat in the circle was a waterbender. As they breathed, they did not control the fire, but the water around it. In the air, there was water and the benders took that water vapor and used it to nearly extinguish the flame, never completely dousing it.
In this way, they imitated firebending at it's simplest level.
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They continued like that for an indefinite amount of time. The girls finally stopped when Master Khwaja walked into the room. "Alright, ladies. Enough meditating for now. Off to the practice courts. There is a special student of mine that could learn a lot from you"
The girls extinguished their candles and followed Khwaja out of the room. Katara fell into step next to her closest friend at the University, Naomi. She was a beautiful girl, like all of the 'chosen' ones, and hand picked by Master Khwaja at a young age. She walked next to Katara and smiled.
"So I see the Princess was late today," she joked. "Apparently she was up too late last night feasting."
Katara laughed. "I was here before the gong, but I simply took my time getting to class. Besides, I wasn't that late."
"Do you think this 'special student' is the Avatar?" Naomi asked hopefully.
Katara nodded her head. "Yes. Master Khwaja is teaching him waterbending."
"How cool. I'll get to meet the Avatar!" she exclaimed. Naomi had not been at the feast the prior evening, and had yet to see the young airbender.
Katara shook her head and smiled. "You and your fantasies."
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When they reached the practice courts, a gasp circulated through the group of girls. "It's the Avatar!" one of them whispered.
Aang hadn't noticed them. He was busy playing in the water. Master Khwaja had only shown him some of the most basic moves, which he had caught onto pretty quickly. He was now juggling a ball of water. He turned and saw the girls standing there, staring at him and the water fell to the ground. The girls giggled softly.
Master Khwaja stepped forward. "Young Avatar, these girls are among the best waterbenders in the school. You can learn much from watching them fight." He turned toward the group of girls. "Ladies, pair off."
With that, each of the girls found a partner and began to bend. It was the most amazing thing Aang had ever seen. The way they controlled the water, how it glided around them, left him in awe. He studied them, everything about them. From the exact positions of their fingers to the way they shifted their weight. He wanted so bad to learn how to do that.
Master Khwaja stood on the side, watching his students. They had long passed the point where they needed his help or corrections. They were all masters in their own right, each an excellent waterbender. And he had made them so.
They had soon finished the bending practice session and moved elsewhere to work on their hand to hand combat and weapons skills. Master Khwaja had always reminded them that there may come a time where they will not be able to use their bending, and they all knew it was true. So they each learned to defend themselves without their bending. It could become one of their most important skills.
They continued with their training until Master Khwaja appeared. They all stopped and looked at him. He smiled. "You are done with this for the day, ladies. Quickly go and bathe and meet me back in our classroom. Quickly," he emphasized.
With that, the girls went running off. They dared not make Master Khwaja wait too long. He was patient with them, but only to a certain point. He didn't understand the need for girls to take hour-long baths.
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The girls hurried to bathe, but failed to reach the classroom before Khwaja became mildly irritated. He simply rolled his eyes as they all walked in, but said nothing for he had nothing to say that had not been said a thousand times before. There are just some things that I can't train out of them.
"You ladies have your final fittings today. Mistress Yun will be here shortly."
Just then, a rather plump lady in rich-looking garments burst into the room. She was followed by several other women with what appeared to be several dresses.
The plump lady was clearly in charge. She spun around and looked at Khwaja. "I will call you when we're done," she said to him.
He bowed. "Thank you, Mistress Yun," he said before walking out the door.
Mistress Yun smiled at the girls. "I have all your dresses done. We just need to make sure they fit one last time before you leave." She paused, seemingly holding back tears. Sure, she made the girls dresses, but she was more than that. She had helped to train them, to prepare them for their mission. "Then," she continued, "we will have our final lesson." In addition to teaching them cooking and sewing, Mistress Yun had taught them how to live at court. She had taught them manners and self control, all the life skills vital to completing their mission.
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Katara awoke the next morning with a shocking realization. It was her last day in the South Pole. She didn't know what to think. She had known this day would come, but never so soon. Where had the years gone? Katara sighed as she rolled out of bed.
Katara had no idea what to do with herself the whole day. There was so much in the South Pole. It was her life. And tomorrow it would all be gone.
She wandered aimlessly around the city. She saw all her favorite places for the last time. She saw her people walking in the streets. They carried on just as they did every day. What would change that? They didn't know that tomorrow there would twenty less girls living here. They did not realize what those girls were doing for them, their sacrifice. So they continued walking the streets just as they did everyday.
How blissful ignorance must be, Katara thought.
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At sunset Katara reported to the University. She and the other girls were to report there for the last time. They didn't do much, just listened to their teachers speak. More than a few tears were shed.
While she was walking back to the palace, she saw Aang. "Hey, Aang," she called. He saw her and smiled. "What are you doing out here?"
"Hey, Katara," he replied. "I just finished waterbending training with Master Khwaja." Katara had thought she saw the Master slip out of the room after he was finished speaking. "Tomorrow, I have to show you this cool new waterbending trick I learned," he said, excited.
Katara looked down. "I'm sorry, Aang. I won't be around tomorrow."
"What?" he asked, confused.
"I'm leaving the South Pole."
"But it's your home. Why would you leave it?"
"I'm not allowed to say."
"I think it is okay to make an exception in this case." Aang and Katara turned around. Master Khwaja was standing there. Katara was confused. She had never been allowed to tell anybody before. Seeing her look, Khwaja smiled. "After all, he is the Avatar." With that, the Master left, leaving Katara to explain everything. Aang looked at her expectantly.
"When I leave tomorrow, I'm going with the other girls to the Fire Nation. It is our job to assassinate the heir to the throne."
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Okay, so there you go. The first chapter to my first fan fic. I hope you liked it!!
Please review!! I welcome constructive criticism, just as long as you're nice about it.
Please Note: There won't be any Zutara for a couple more chapters because Zuko isn't in it yet. (duh!) But don't worry...I'll get there!!!
