Wind rushed by her face as Monica rode an otter penguin down the steepest hill in the Southern Water tribe. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, but the thrill of the ride kept her warm. It had been awhile since Monica had been able to chill out and just have fun. Her parents didn't really approve of her extra-curricular activities. This included penguin sledding and any artistic creations she tried to make with her water bending. As the otter penguin pulled up at the bottom of the hill Monica's heart leapt into her throat. 5 feet away from where the living sled had stopped were her parents, and neither looked happy.

"Monica, why are you out here wasting your time riding wild animals?" Her father said first. He had his arms crossed and his hair was pulled back into a tiny ponytail at the back of his head. Ever since Monica had learned water bending he had been very adamant about her becoming a healer and not wasting her time like the other kids.

"Honey, I know you don't want to be a healer, but artists don't really have a future. And neither do slackers. We want you to be successful in life, as well as happy." Her mom continued. Monica's mother was also a water bender who had apprenticed under Katara to learn the ways of healing. The wife of the previous avatar, Avatar Aang, Katara was getting older and many of the Southern Water tribe's young water benders were learning her healing techniques so they could be passed on.

"Mom, Dad… I love water bending, and I don't mind knowing how to heal, but I just don't see myself as being a healer for the rest of my life. I want to make things! Art is a beautiful and creative outlet for me to express myself." Monica replied as she climbed off the otter penguin. The creature stood up and shook itself off before waddling away.

"We just want what's best for you. Now, if you are done here, I suggest you head over to Katara's and do some more hands on studying." Her dad commanded as he turned back towards the village.

"But Dad…"

"Monica."

When her dad used that tone there was no arguing. Monica followed after her parents slowly. When she trudged into Katara's hut, the old woman looked up and smiled.

"Got caught riding the otter penguins again?" She asked in a knowing tone. Katara knew that Monica didn't want to become a healer and had always supported her decisions like a loving grandmother.

"Yea. You know I love water bending. And I don't mind taking these lessons, I'm sure I'll need them in the future, but they just don't listen…"

"Don't worry Monica, they will. Every parent wants nothing more than for their child to be happy. Besides, they can't make your decisions for you forever. One day you may even leave the Southern Water tribe in favor of an adventure." Katara pulled out an old scroll from a chest she left on a shelf. "Besides, they don't know that you have already completed your training with me. I have taught you everything I know in the art of water bending."

"Really? You have?" Monica asked incredulously. She knew that she had learned much of what the old healer had to offer, but she didn't know she had learned everything there was to know.

"Yes child. I was going to tell you last time but you fell asleep while rereading the first scroll. I'll tell your mother when she comes by later. For now, why don't you go to the shore? I heard there was this traveling artist visiting." Katara said.

"I think I will. Thanks so much Katara!" Monica replied as she threw her arms around the old woman's neck.

"Of course child, now go on and have some fun. You only live once after all."

10 minutes later, Monica was on the shore. A crowd was forming around this girl with long brown hair that was as curly as Monica's. She had on a black jacket with white trim on the cuffs and the hem. Her black pants disappeared into black boots with fur lining the top. The girl couldn't have been much older than Monica herself. Monica watched as she grabbed a sheet of metal and wedged it firmly into the snow.

"Hyaaa!" The girl yelled as she stamped the ground with her right foot and pushed her hands towards each other as if she were going to crush an invisible object between them. The metal screeched and groaned as it bent in on itself. With a flurry of roundhouse kicks, stomps, and hand push movements, the metal bender molded the once flat sheet into a dragon crouched with its maw open, ready to breathe fire.

"THAT IS AWESOME!" Monica cried out, half forgetting that there was a crowd of people around her. A few of her fellow villagers chuckled (not out of spite Monica knew, but amusement, since they all knew her enthusiasm), and then they all started cheering at the girl and calling for an encore.

"Thank you, it means a lot to know you all like it so much." The bender said as a blush crept across her face. As people started heading back to the village, Monica ran over to the girl. She was surrounded by many of the village's kids already who were asking her a million questions a minute about how she did it and what metal bending was. They knew water bending since they had grown up around it, but metal bending was completely new.

"Ok, ok. Let the girl pack up in peace you guys." Monica laughed as she came up behind them.

"Awwwww. Fine…" They all said in unison as they ran off towards the village giggling and screaming.

"They're adorable, but they can be overwhelming sometimes." Monica said as she started up the conversation. She had always loved art, but this girl was actually going around and making art for people!

"I don't have any younger siblings so I'm not used to it." The girl replied with a cheeky smile. "I'm Leah, and you are?"

"Monica!" she replied as she shook Leah's hand. "I really love your art. I wish I could go out and do what you are doing."

"Really? You guys don't do art with your water bending down here?" Leah replied with a tilt of her head.

"No. Most of the water benders use it to fish or heal around here. But I… Wait a second." Monica waved her arms side to side as a tendril of water made its way up and out of the water then formed into a ball. She pulled it towards herself then worked it into a swirling torrent with flecks of ice forming. A minute later, she dropped the water and held out a rose made completely of ice. "See? Sculpture!"

"Wow, you really have some talent. You could probably do a whole lot more if you put your mind to it, I'm sure the people of Republic City would LOVE you!"

"You think so?"

"Totally! They love street performers there… well. MOST people love street performers there… and that includes art. I wouldn't mind bringing you with me when I go back if you want to come. I'll even let you stay at my apartment! We'll need to figure out getting food and what not, but if we sell art it should go well enough to pay for rent and other necessities." Leah looked at the sky then her face turned into an expression of realization. "My boat leaves tomorrow though, so if you want to come it'll have to be a short notice decision… Well, the boat leaves around 8 so if you decide to come just make sure you're there by then. Do you think you would want to?"

"Of course! A little adventure is just what I need… But my parents… Hmm. I'll have to talk to them. Will you be around the village today?" Monica asked. She really wanted this to work out. Then she could see the world and wouldn't have to become the healer she didn't want to be.

"Uh huh. I'm staying the night with Katara. She's an old family friend."

"Really? I'll see you around then!"

"Bye Bye!"

Monica headed back to the village, happy enough that she might've started skipping if the paths weren't icy. When she got home she headed right over to her parents. Her mom had an orb of water over her dads arm as he laid on their medical cot.

"What happened?" Monica asked as she hurried to her mom's side.

"Nothing serious just slipped and fell while we were out ice fishing." Her dad replied with a grin. "Just hurts like hell!" he laughed.

"He'll be fine in a minute." Her mom continued. Monica struggled with herself for a minute before she blurted out:

"I wanna go to Republic City."

"Republic City?" Her mom asked. "Why would you wanna go there?"

"We don't have the ability to travel Monica." Her dad replied. "Your mom is needed here and If I don't catch fish, we don't eat. Simple as that."

"I know you guys can't come with me, I want to go on my own." Monica replied calmly. "I met this metal bender today who offered to let me stay with her while I am there."

"What are you going to do in Republic City?" Her father asked in a hard tone.

"I'm going to make art."

"ART? I told you Monica, you are going to study under Katara until you have learned her healing techniques!"

"But I HAVE! Ask Katara. She told me today that I have learned all she can teach me! Please Dad? A chance like this only comes once in a lifetime, and I would like to take it." Monica replied. Why can't I make him understand?

Her dad sat up on the cot and slid off onto the ground. "Come, we're gonna go talk to Katara."