Tales of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Part One: Aang and Masanori

Masanori Sun liked the open space at the foot of the stairs below his home on Ember Island. It was a good place to practice.

The first whoooshh of air caught the young firebender's attention. When he turned, a sky bison was setting down on the ground and Aang rode forth on an air scooter. Aang made circles around the other boy.

"Hi, Aang," he said cheerfully.

"Hi, Masa! Think fast!" Aang's blast of air forced Masanori back. He rode it into a backflip and came back with a fire kick. Aang rolled clear of it and landed in a pose.

"Hey, a spar with the Avatar. Now I can brag to my friends!"

Aang laughed along with him. "Good to see you."

"If you're looking for Azula, she's not here right now."

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you. We never get a chance to really talk."

Both sat down lotus-style, facing each other. "Aang, my good friend. What would you like to talk about?"

Aang fought a surge of doubt. "I was hoping you could help me with something."

"Me help you? Now I'm doubly honored."

Aang took a deep, cleansing breath. "It's like this. A few years ago, I met this guru. He's a spiritual guide. He opened my chakras."

"Chakras? What's that?"

"Um, they're like pools of spirit energy in our bodies. Sometimes they get blocked, and that holds us back from being our best."

"And you'd like to try that on me?"

"Yes, please."

"I'm flattered, Aang. But why pick me?"

Aang had not been prepared for such ready agreement. "Because...um..."

Masanori smiled. "Aang, I'm betrothed to a great liar. Don't hold back on me."

Aanf relaxed a bit. "I did something like this to Azula when I was in the Avatar state. It worked, but it's dangerous. And the best way to help someone is to help them help themselves. And helping is what I do."

"I'd like to write that down."

Aang chuckled. "Later. The idea is to get a person's chi to flow. This guru, he's been doing this for decades. I'm just starting out, and I wanted to try with someone who already...'flows' pretty well."

Masa chuckled. He drew back his wide gi sleeves, revealing his islander's tan. "Yeah, maybe I am part waterbender after all." They shared a laugh. "Aang, if I can help, I will."

Concern showed on Aang's face. "It could get rough, Masa. For me, it was downright scary."

"I don't scare easily, Aang. You forget who I'm in love with." Both laughed again.

"I guess we should get started. Start like you're meditating. Close your eyes, center yourself and focus."

"Okay." Masanori did as Aang instructed.

"The first of seven chakras is about survival. It's blocked by fear. What scares you?"

Masa shook a bit. "I have this dream...every few days or so. I'm on a ship when a wave knocks me overboard. I sink like a rock. I can't breathe." He got agitated. "That's how my dad died. At the North Pole."

"Masa," Aang said with gentle force, "your dream is not real. You can conquer it. Let it and all your fear flow out of your body. Imagine it leaving you."

Masanori took a deep breath. It trembled going it, but was smooth going out. He opened his eyes and looked at Aang. "It's not my only fear, Aang. Losing people I love...not being worthy of their faith in me, not being my best...all of that's tied up in me."

"You conquer your fears by facing them, my friend. Let it all pass out. Don't lose focus."

Masanori resumed his meditative pose. Soon, he was calm again. "I'm fine now."

"Good. Your second chakra is the source of your pleasure. Now I know that's strong in you, but it still can get blocked up. The enemy of pleasure is guilt. What do you feel guilty about most of all?"

Masanori's breathing became more rapid. "I was young and didn't listen like I should. I had a firebending instructor, and...I nearly burned him really badly." His voice was small, like a child.

"That happened to me too, Masa," Aang said with sympathy. "I swore I wouldn't firebend again. But I'm the Avatar, and I can't deny who I am. Neither can you. You are a great firebender. So great, you don't feel the need to hurt anybody to prove it. Conquering shame is all about forgiving yourself. And I know you're a very forgiving man."

Masa controlled his breathing. He actually smiled. "Hey, I'm better now."

"Great. Ready for more?"

"Sure am."

"The third chakra is in your stomach."

"I wondered what that noise was."

"Masa..." Aang was amused, but impatient.

"I'm sorry. I had to," Masa said with a little laugh.

"The third one is the fire chakra, your willpower. Shame is the enemy of will. What disappoints you most about yourself?"

"My laziness," he replied, almost in a whisper. He was no longer feeling jaunty. "Azula, my mom, my dad...they all say I lack focus, and they're right. I goof around; I don't take things seriously."

"Masa, to admit your faults takes wisdom and courage. And you have both. But don't be ashamed of being funny and friendly. Those are parts of who you are, and if you try to deny them, you'll never be complete. Let your shame flow out of you. Embrace who you are."

With a few breaths, Masanori regained control. "Hey, I'm feeling good, Aang."

"Ready for the next one?"

"I am."

"The fourth chakra is the chakra of love, in your heart. Love is blocked by grief. I think I already know what your greatest grief is."

"My dad," Masa replied, his voice wracked with anguish. "When he died, I thought I was going to die."

"You loved him a lot. And grief blocks love. Don't let it block the love you have for him. Remember him for his life, not for his death. Let your grief flow out."

"I don't know if I can." Masa couldn't stop the tears flowing from behind his eyelids. He brought his arm up to his eyes and sobbed into his sleeve. "I don't think I can do this anymore."

Aang got to his feet and laid a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder. "Grief is your greatest weakness. But your love is a source of energy in itself, and your love is very powerful. It will conquer grief if you let it. Think about the people you love. Fill your heart with love until grief is pushed out."

Masanori wiped away his tears. He looked up at Aang with puffy eyes, but smiled a bit. "I'm okay now, Aang. Thank you."

Aang smiled and sat back down. "If you'd like to stop..."

"No. When I start something, I try to see it through."

"Close your eyes. Breathe evenly." Masa did as instructed. "The next chakra is in your throat. It's the chakra of truth, and it's blocked by lies. The lies we tell ourselves. What aren't you honest about?"

"When I act like things don't bother me. When I laugh, even though I feel like I'm dying inside."

"I know what that's like, Masa. But being brave doesn't just mean the courage others can see. It means inner courage, too. Courage to be honest with yourself. Let the lies flow out and embrace who you are."

"I think I'd like that. Azula might get hot at me if I cried all the time, though."

Both laughed. "Your forehead contains the chakra of light, responsible for insight, the seeing of truth. Insight is blocked by illusion."

"Like when someone conceals their true selves?"

"That's right."

"Yeah, I had to work hard to get Azula to take off that mask of hers."

"The guru showed me how everything is conencted, even the different nations."

Masanori perked up. His eyes opened. Inspiration was revealed in them. "Like my sword. The metal comes from the earth. Fire forges it. Water hardens it. And air tempers it."

"Hey, you're good at this. But think about your insight. What illusion tricks you?"

Masa closed his eyes again. "Doubts and distractions. Things that draw away my focus."

"All of these block your insight until you face them. And you have. You've unblocked yourself. Never doubt what you can do or who you are."

"Wait," Masanori said, opening his eyes again. He looked at Aang with confusion. "You said there were seven chakras."

"There is one left." Aang seemed hesitant. "But I had to learn it because I'm the Avatar, the bridge between worlds. I can't see how you would need it."

"But I've come so far, Aang. I want to see this through to the end."

"If that's what you want." Aang breathed deeply. "The last chakra is at the top of your head. It's the chakra of thought. Actually, clarity of thought would be more true. It allows me access to the cosmic energy that lets me achieve the Avatar State at will. But for everyone, clear thinking allows us to overcome any limit."

"But what blocks it?"

Aang mentally braced himself for the reaction. "Earthly attachment."

Masanori's eyes grew wide with dawning horror. "What are you saying, Aang? My greatest attachment is..." He started with shock and jumped to his feet. "I have to give up Azula?! I love her! If the only way to achieve mental clarity is to leave her, I don't want it! You just told me love is my greatest power! How could you even suggest that?!" Masa breathed hard. He shook as though with chills. "I...I don't know if we can be friends anymore, Aang."

Aang stood and faced the young firebender. "Until you decide we can't, we still are friends, Masa. And as a friend, I'd like a chance to explain myself. Will you give me that chance?"

The older boy willed himself to be calm. "All right."

"When Guru Pathik told me, I had the same reaction. I couldn't give up Katara either. But it wasn't until later that I realized that's not what he meant. He didn't mean I had to give up love. He meant that when I have to, I can push all distractions out of my mind and live in the moment."

Masa's eyes flashed with understanding. "Like separating my mind from my heart? That's kind of like lightningbending."

"Just more involved. Are we good?"

Masa grinned. "Flame-yo, hotman." Both laughed. "Aang, you're a good friend. And you've given me a lot to think about and work on. But that's good. I don't like having nothing to do."

"Is that something you picked up from your girlfriend?"

"Yeah," he said with a sheepish grin. "She says idle hands play with evil."

"She's probably right. You've opened your chakras, but that's the beginning of wisdom, not the end. You'll find your own way more easily now, though."

"I could use more wisdom."

"Hey, success with my first pupil. I could get to like this. Masa, I wish you and her the best. May Agni light your way." He gave a Fire Nation salute.

"And keep your fire in the dark." Masanori returned it. "Do you have to go so soon, Aang?"

"I'm sorry, Masa. But being the incarnation of the planet means I have to be everywhere on the planet at once. Hopefully, getting people to heal themselves will heal the world. That's also something you know about." He shared a knowing look with Masa.

"Aang?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"I sure can."

"Azula's not here because...she went to see a healer. She's been sick lately."

Aang was concerned. "I hope she's okay."

"Aang, I'm a dork, not an idiot. I think she's going to have a baby." Masanori's smile got very big. Our baby. And I want to be a great father."

"Just be the best daddy you can be. History will decide if you're great."

Masanori hugged Aang good-bye.

END