Chapter One
The Runners
The sky glittered with a scattering of stars that night. And across the vast darkness two large, looming shapes barreled through time and space. The sky bison was in the lead ahead of what looked like a bulbous floating ship. The bison dodged skillfully behind clouds and toward it's destination with swiftness not guessed of its size. And every once and a while, one of the numerous small figures atop its back would look back in confusion, apprehension, and most of all, fear. For behind them, they knew the fire Nation was watching.
If only they really did know. Prince Zuko's balloon was not fast enough to keep up with the more agile bison. The wind was dying down, and he knew he wouldn't be able to last through the night. He needed to regain his bearing outside of the Fire Nation.
"But where can I go...?"
He had taken as much money as he could carry. He had his swords, his intelligence. But what Zuko valued the most these days was that he had the memories of surviving with close to nothing with his Uncle Iroh. And with that, came well needed experience, that he suspected he would need over the next few days, or months, or years, or however long the war lasted.
Tears prickled at his eyes, and he shook his head to clear his thoughts. He couldn't lose control anymore. Today was the day that he made things right. He stood up to his father, he regained his honor. He had been looking so long for what was right in front of his eyes, a father and a safety net. He wanted some security in his tumultuous life. He had a father, and now... he might even have a mother out there.
"I hope you forgive me..." he whispered to the sky, as he lost sight of the Avatar ahead of him.
Aang was glad to have lost their adversary in the night. Appa slowed to a relaxed pace as he caught sight of the mountains shadowing the Western Air temple. He slowly made the ascent up. As other passengers caught on that they were nearing their destination, they sat up in their seats. Appa growled as he soared over the top, and came into sight of one of the great Temples in the Avatar World. Aang was pleased in his heart to hear the "Wow's!" and the gasps from the children. It gave him great pleasure to share his heritage and home with his friends. But a great part of his still ached from the disappointment of the Day of Black Sun.
Appa landed in the main hall. Katara, Sokka, and Aang helped the others dismount.
"Haru, Teo, help the other's make a camp," Katara said somberly.
They nodded and slowly got to work on the tasks. Aang gave them permission to take what was available and left of the Air Nomad's. He helped The Duke find a makeshift sleeping bag. He helped Sokka find wood for a fire, which wasn't hard, because most of the plant life had died and decayed at this point, save for a few flowers that still bloomed, even in the full moon. Aang aided Katara in healing small cuts and bruises. One difficulty was Haru's elbow, which had been badly scraped in the run toward the submarines. Aang resolutely finished all tasks assigned to him, mainly by Katara, whose motherly nature had taken over. Soon it was only the Gaang who was left. Silence filled the vast room, except for the small snoring of the other kids.
"Don't be too hard on yourself Aang," Katara said kindly, reading his emotions. "It was all a trap; we couldn't have predicted what happened in a million years." She rested a hand on his shoulder and he hung his head.
"Yeah," Sokka added. "Besides, if it hadn't been for me getting charged up about Suki—"
"She provoked you; Sokka. That comment was way below the belt," Toph said.
"It was nobody's fault, but Azula's. They must have found out our plans somehow. And next time we'll be more prepared."
"Next time..." Aang's head snapped up, "Next time, I'll make this up to you. Next time... I'll make this up to the world. I've been gone for one hundred years. But now, let's let the whole world know that the Avatar has returned." Aang whipped out his staff and slammed the butt of the stick on the ground in front of him. "Next time, will be the last time, and the first time for many things. The first time I face the Fire Lord. And the first time he'll be defeated."
Silence reigned; Toph made her rock bed in three swift moves, and collapsed with a sigh. "I never imagined as a girl I would be with the Avatar... on a journey to defeat the Fire Lord and restore peace." With those last words, she fell into a dreamless sleep.
Sokka clapped Aang on the shoulder. "I'll always believe in you, old buddy, even in the face of badger moles." He made his was to his sleeping bag and curled inside. "Dad believes in you." He said last, before turning his back to Katara and Aang.
Katara bashfully turned to face Aang, who still had his somber face. "Aang...?" She asked hesitantly. The Avatar faced the wall and gazed at the old portraits of long lost masters of the wind, and flying men and women and children. "I still can't believe I'm the only one left." Tears streamed down his eyes. "Not only am I the last airbender, I'm the only Avatar the world has got." Katara caught him as he knelt down.
"I failed, Katara."
A/N Story will go on much further. My sister wanted me to write this, tell me what you think might happen later, or if there are any mistakes, there's nothing that bugs me more than a fanfic with grammer mistakes in it. Which is why I beg you not to read anything else I've previously written on this site. :D