Chameleon Bay:
Aang read the bulletin several times, trying not to let hope burn too brightly, lest he be disappointed. There were several reports of airbenders popping up in various locations, one in Ba Sing Se, another one in Omashu, and reports of a whole tribe of possible remnant Air Nomads in the far north of the Earth Kingdom. Aang hadn't heard anything from the Fire Nation yet, but he imagined he would soon enough.
"... how are you doing?" Katara asked softly, offering a faint smile.
"It's … hard to believe." Aang replied. "And yet, it makes sense. The world isn't balanced if there aren't any airbenders. And … something changed, in the Forest. I think there might have been a small shift." He paused for a moment. "Maybe. But … I need to investigate this. If even one of these reports is true, it's …" It was difficult to imagine, not actually being the last airbender.
"We." Katara corrected softly and took his hand. "We need to go investigate this." She leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Where you go, I go." She sighed slightly. "It won't be quite the same without some of the others." Sokka and Toph were off in Omashu dealing with the Earth Rumble, Zuko was in the Fire Nation capital and Suki was on Kyoshi Island working to train a new cohort of Kyoshi Warriors. "I wonder what they're up to right now …"
It was then that Aang saw two familiar faces and grinned broadly. "Katara-!"
"I know, it's a little different without the gang, but I think we can-" Katara continued speaking, hearing the words without hearing the tone.
"Hey guys." Zuko padded up to where they were, waving and grinning. It wasn't long before Aang caught him in a hug, which before long, Katara joined as well. "I don't suppose you guys have room for two more, do you?" Zuko looked back to indicate Mai, who cautiously waved towards the two of them. "Uncle is taking things over for a little while in the Fire Nation, so … I thought we could travel with you two for awhile. I mean, if that's okay."
"I think we can find the room on Appa." Katara replied with a broad grin and then waved towards Mai. "Hi, it's nice to meet you, now that we're not fighting each other and all that."
"Yeah. Nice to meet you." Mai ghosted back at Katara, her tone cool and distant.
"Mai just takes … a bit to warm up to people." Zuko smiled faintly. "But it'll be great. I uh, never really got to appreciate travelling and stuff properly. I might've been a little too occupied with, you know, hunting you down." His faint smile turned into an awkward grin. "Pretty amazing how things change, huh?"
"So … are we looking for airbenders?" Mai finally spoke. "We heard news in the capital. It must be … quite something to hear about." Aang was inclined to take that as her honest attempt at being sympathetic, or at least, that was how he was going to interpret it until he had some evidence to the contrary. The Fire Nation lady might not have been the warmest of personalities, but she couldn't be too bad. Zuko was obviously crazy about her.
"Ba Sing Se is … probably the closest to here? But things in that city aren't great." Katara frowned slightly. A significant part of the city had been destroyed in the battle of Sozin's Comet and conditions in the city were bad. There were also grim reports that the Dai Li were still active within its walls, led by one of Long Feng's premier lieutenants. Didn't a fair number of the Dai Li leave Ba Sing Se, though? I seem to remember there was a fair number of them serving with Azula in Jinzhai.
That thought made Katara shudder- that anyone thought it was a good idea to put Azula in charge of anything.
"We can send a hawk to Sokka and Toph and they can investigate and tell us if we should be going in person." Aang thought for a moment. "I feel like we should investigate this tribe in the north. If they're … if any Air Nomads survived, I want to meet them. They might have knowledge that was long lost. Because right now, just about all that exists about airbending and Air Nomad culture is what I can remember. And … yeah."
"Seems fair." Zuko replied and put his hand on Aang's shoulder. "And hey, you don't have to go by yourself. You've got us."
"Great." Mai deadpanned, rolling her eyes. "We're going to be spending our pre-honeymoon freezing our butts off in the godforsaken far nor-"
"WHAT?" Katara's eyes opened wide as she span onto Zuko. "You're engaged?" She grinned broadly. "Congratulations! When were you going to tell us?"
"Kinda … happened not too long ago." Zuko chuckled, blushing slightly. "But um, yeah …" He held up the golden bracelet on his arm and it wasn't hard to see a similar one on Mai. "We're planning to travel for maybe a year or so and then, I think the idea is to get married and do the whole Fire couple thing."
"That's awesome, Zuko!" Aang grinned, though it made him wonder if Katara was expecting something of that sort immediately. It wasn't that he didn't like the idea of being married to her- after all, he loved and her and wanted to be with her forever, but just that marriage was a really big thing. And I'm only thirteen. Honestly, he liked the notion of taking things a little slow, especially now that it seemed more possible to actually do that. "Congratulations."
"Thanks." Zuko replied with a smile. "So … off to the not-quite-Far North, then?" He turned towards Mai with a big smile. "You'll love Appa." Appa sure loves Zuko. And so does Momo. What was that awful joke Suki said about Zuko once? Oh yeah, that he has animal magnetism. Because animals love him. Aang felt bad that their lives were such that it'd taken them so long to realize that he and Zuko could be friends, but the good part was that they had the rest of their lives to be best friends.
Omashu:
"An Earthbending tournament." Lu looked askance at his father. "If you do not mind me asking, what is the point? You are already recognized as the one of the great warlords of the Kingdom. We've enough money." The boy set down the paper skeptically. "Forgive me, but it seems like it would undermine your dignity as a leader."
The General laughed heartily and took the paper from his son. "Ha, you speak like a bureaucrat, boy. People respect strength and what better way to prove my strength and prowess than in a bending arena? Besides, this isn't just any tournament and the real prize isn't money, Lu. It's being hosted by King Bumi himself- a man of well over a century at this point." His attention turned back to Lu. "The King of Omashu is traditionally, since days of old, the strongest Earthbender in the Earth Kingdom. The Champion of the realm. The winner of this tournament will be named the heir to the throne of Omashu."
Lu might have been a reticent lad, but he wasn't stupid. "So … you would control both the family clique's territory and that of Omashu. That would make us the dominant faction inside the Earth Kingdom." There was one thing, though, that was far from reluctant about. "That would give us the strength to oust that firebending witch from our northeastern cities."
"Hah!" The General laughed. "I'd like to oust her from my bed after a good tumble. I know you don't like Firebenders and Spirits know we've enough cause to hate them, but she's a clever bitch, though …" He guffawed again. "I suppose she's closer to your age than mine. But I'm afraid, my boy, I've got other plans for you."
"Yes, Father." Lu nodded. "I am to wed Toph Beifong, which brings her family territories into our orbit. That is, if I can convince or charm her into doing so. Regardless of what her parents told you, I don't think you just … tell her to do things. You've heard the tales."
"Hah! Sounds like my kind of woman, it's true. In a decade or so, at least."
"You're gross, Father." Lu sighed. "But I will do my best to bring her into our orbit." He paused for a moment, as if afraid to bring it up. "Do you think you can beat her, Father? I know you're by far the most powerful Earthbender in our territories- but she's been the earthbending master to the Avatar. I don't think anyone has actually defeated her in an earthbending battle."
"I can defeat any Earthbender alive." The General spoke, his voice suddenly becoming serious, all of his usual macho bravado disappearing into the same grim resolve that had kept him fighting with an intact army for his whole life. However much sometimes Lu found his father frustrating or disgusting, he had to respect that. He fought the Fire Nation from the time that he could walk, practically. He still claims that he was weaned on firebender blood.
The familiar smirk soon returned to his face. "Don't worry, though. I won't hurt her too badly." The smirk soon turned into a crooked grin. "You might be thanking your old father for that one. Spirited women are fun, mark my words, but they're no good to marry."
Lu wondered if his mother had been a spirited woman. Father rarely spoke of her in any detail except the very crassest, much like most of the other women in his life. As far as Lu knew, all of his four siblings had different mothers. The General took out an oversized flask of whisky, taking a large swig before passing it to Lu, who gracefully declined.
"You're fortunate you're my son, boy. Otherwise, I wouldn't trust a man who doesn't drink. Sober men think they're better than others." The General shook his head and took another swig of the drink. "I'll be signing up for the tournament and you're going to be paying court to the Beifong girl." A heavy hand clapped Lu on the back, enough to make him stumble forwards, lest he be knocked straight to the ground. "And perhaps, just perhaps, we'll make a proper man of you yet."
"Yes, Father." Lu replied obediently, knowing that his father would brook no opposition in the matter.
Jinzhai:
"Hakka! Have you read the news?" Ty Lee exclaimed brightly, practically bounding into the arena where Hakka was training several of the Dai Li who had made their way northwards to serve Azula, rather than stand down or go to jail with their kin in Ba Sing Se. Just about anyone else's arrival would have been greeted with a curt dismissal or distinct annoyance, but Hakka found himself distinctly unable to be upset with the cheerful gymnast.
He could make a little time for her, and thusly, he dismissed the Dai Li agents, who were probably grateful for a short rest themselves. Better be grateful, because once she's gone, you're back on the training block. Most of you have got damn sloppy and you've only been out of your old duties for a few months. The Dai Li I remembered had discipline. By all reports, the so-called 'New Dai Li' in Ba Sing Se now were essentially a criminal syndicate, run by one of Long Feng's senior lieutenants. Quan Shi, the damned bonebender, no doubt.
"No, I haven't." Hakka didn't make a point of reading more than he absolutely had to- to be blunt, he wasn't very good at it and if the Princess needed him to know something about world events, she'd tell him so or make sure someone else did. Whatever it was, though, it'd got Ty Lee fairly excited and rushing out to tell him, rather than her girlfriend. "But I didn't need to, because you're going to tell me." He actually smiled slightly at her.
One of the things he liked best about Ty Lee was that she'd just smile back at him without even a hint of revulsion or distaste. As far as he could tell, she was just that kind to everyone, from the lowest scullery maid to the Princess herself. Princess had better be good to her. She'll put up with a lot, but not an unlimited amount. She's a kind girl but she's strong in her own way. Nobody's pushover, not anymore. Seen a bit too much for that.
"There's a HUGE Earth Rumble in Omashu! And there's prizes for the top Earthbenders!" Ty Lee grinned broadly. "You should go down to Omashu and enter into it! You're like, the most powerful Earthbender I know! By far!"
"You think Princess Azula's going to let me do that?" Hakka raised his eyebrow. There was no point in bothering to pretend that he was disinterested- because, actually, he really wanted to. He suspected that Toph would be there and he'd been itching to try beating her. I figure my chances are as good as anyone's, which is to say, they're not great. But I'm also not the kid she fought in Ba Sing Se. I've grown since then. She might win, but I bet I can make her earn it.
She bleeds like any other human.
"You both had better start getting used to calling me Queen." Azula corrected them both archly. "And as a matter of fact, yes, Hakka, I am not only going to allow you to enter this Earth Rumble, I mandate and order it. You will represent the Jinzhai province as its designated champion and bring honour and glory to your new home. And there's quite a bit of gold in it too." Azula smirked faintly. "You're not allowed to quit, of course, just because you might end up extremely wealthy."
"I swore an oath, Your Majesty." Hakka replied.
"And as a matter of course, Ty Lee and I will travel down to Omashu in person to cheer you on. I am, after all, an august and royal personage in this realm and diplomacy is important. Particularly with the authority of the Earth King at an all time low." Azula's eyes flitted upwards to Hakka. "I'm sure you'll do very well indeed."
"Of course you will!" Ty Lee grinned brightly and spontaneously hugged him, because of course she did.
Omashu
"So, Sokka, how much did I get out of that match?" Toph grinned as she cracked her knuckles. "Hopefully someone a little tougher shows up soon. This is too easy." She could tell with her seismic vision that Sokka had been given twelve coins, but she wasn't great at telling exactly what metal they were or if they had a printed value. Oh well. Makes Snoozles feel important. Toph took a sip of her papaya juice and wiggled her feet contentedly in the dusty dirt of Omashu. Omashu dirt was one of her favorites, it was dry enough that it tended to suck up any moisture on her feet and it felt soft against the toes. Ba Sing Se dirt, by contrast, was always one step from being mud and Fire Nation dirt was often hot.
The less said about stupid deserts and arctic regions of the world, the better. Toph had no intention of ever setting foot in either Water Tribe if she could help it. There, she'd be actually blind and she wasn't sure how much earth there would be around to bend, either. But she was in Omashu, so she could enjoy the soft, powdery Omashu dirt on her feet. The papaya juice wasn't bad either. Most of my competition's going to be going for something harder, and more of it when they lose to a tiny girl. Ha!
But Toph wasn't actually stupid and she knew that the 'tiny blind girl' thing was basically over- people pretty much all knew about her reputation, to the extent that several people had pulled out of the competition as soon as she'd entered. Whatever, they're probably losers anyway.
"We should go watch the competition! And- before you say anything, I know you can watch the fight with your feet! In glorious 3-D. So yes, I am saying that in full awareness-"
"Why would I go and watch a bunch of losers flop around like dying fish, Sokka? I'm the best there is. By far. Nobody out there is even remotely close." Toph sighed. "But if it makes you feel all cool and useful, coach, then sure, let's go. I mean, it's not like they're gonna actually let us have any booze. If I weren't super famous, they wouldn't have even let us in." It was true. They were the youngest people in the bar by far.
They were interrupted by a rather well-known pair of footsteps as the Boulder decided to seat himself in the empty seat.
"The Boulder is glad to see the Blind Bandit again! He has been working on his technique extensively and the Boulder thinks that he'll be seeing you in the final." The Boulder cheerfully exclaimed, already decidedly tipsy from what Toph was sure was about the twelfth or thirteenth beer he'd drank. "Regardless of who wins or loses, though, the Boulder is honored to share a tournament with you!" He slapped the table hard enough with his hand that it practically went flying. "Barkeep! A round for the Boulder and the Blind Bandit …" And he finally noticed Sokka's existence. "And sure, a round for the Blind Bandit's boyfriend too!"
"He's not my boyfriend!" Toph replied, hoping that she wasn't blushing, because nope, she'd never considered that thought. Nope nope nope. Ugh. I need to actually meet other people. Stupid brain.
"The Boulder apologizes for putting incorrect labels on your relationship. Whatever it is, the Boulder hopes you are very happy-" This time, the Boulder decided to clap Sokka on the shoulder, hard enough that Sokka was driven into the table. Toph couldn't help but laugh. Snoozles was always good for a laugh. And kinda cute when he was flustered. I told you brain. Stop it.
"Bah to both of you! It is I, FIRE NATION MAN, that will win this Earth Rumble and take Omashu in the name of my glorious Fire Lord Oz-"
"Ozai's dead, dude." Toph replied, rolling her eyes. "He was beaten by the Avatar and lost his bending and then his ex-wife stabbed him like eight million times. You need to change your angle. Maybe turn face or something, I dunno."
"... for real?" Fire Nation man practically squeaked in reply.
"Yeah, that's pretty much true facts." Sokka shrugged. "I dunno, maybe you can find a new villain angle. I hear people don't like the Dai Li much. Maybe you can be like, Dai Li Man or something …"
Fire Nation Man seemed to ponder that for a moment. "... fine. I'M GONNA BRING YOU DOWN TO LAKE LAOGAI FOR A SMACKDOWN."
"... whatever works for you, champ." Toph shrugged.
Far Northern Earth Kingdom:
"Wow, I never thought I'd run into so many airbending scrolls … this is amazing!" Aang smiled up at Detsen. "So you've been practicing these forms and now, you say that you can airbend?"
Detsen nodded, his face looking conflicted. "Avatar Aang … may I ask you a question?" Intent grey eyes met Aang's and for the first time, Aang felt a little wary. There was a great deal of anger, hurt, even rage in the young man's eyes. Aang was pretty sure he knew what he was going to ask. "I do not wish to cast doubt on your judgement, but why would you willingly travel with a Firebender?"
Right. We're not telling people right now that Zuko's not just any firebender, but the actual honest-to-spirits Fire Lord. Aang nodded and drew himself up straight, even though Detsen was probably a good foot taller than him. "I know what it's like to be angry. I lost my people too- but a hundred years is a long time. Zuko doesn't want any part of what the Fire Nation did, or its conquests. He's my firebending master. He worked to help us fight the Fire Lord."
Detsen looked like he was considering the Avatar's words. "It is … necessary for the Avatar to learn all four elements." He took a deep breath. "I will trust your judgement about Zuko's character. There is … another one of us that might have airbending powers. My younger sister, Malu. She is eager to meet you." He added a slightly rueful grin. "She isn't like me. I'll be honest, Avatar, I'm having a hard time forgiving the Fire Nation,or anyone in it. They hunted us like foxdogs and made us … they made us break so many of our sacred oaths. Just to survive."
"Yeah … I noticed the meat thing." Aang could notice it even now, the ample evidence of the hunting and slaughter of animals. Everyone was wearing leather or furs and basically the entire diet was animal-based- Aang had only been able to take a few berries and a cup of butter tea and otherwise had to depend almost entirely on the food they'd got at the last town over. But how could he be upset at them? They'd been driven into some of the most brutal, unforgiving land in the world. Just about nothing grew. The Air Nomads used to live high in the mountains, but we'd have farmlands and gardens at lower elevations.
Just at that moment, a slender girl with big grey eyes walked into the room and smiled brilliantly at Aang, who couldn't help but blush slightly- and he was fairly sure she did the same thing, though she didn't look away. It struck Aang that he'd not seen an Air Nomad girl in over a century.
"... Avatar Aang." Detsen finally spoke, clearly not particularly impressed. "This is my sister, Malu."
"Hello, Avatar Aang." Malu clasped her hands together and bowed in the traditional Air Nomad greeting. "It's an honour to meet you."
"The honor's all mine." Aang smiled, getting over himself quickly. Sure, there was no denying she was awfully pretty, but she was no Katara. And besides, she was probably going to be his student soon enough. Her and her brother, though from what Aang saw, he seemed to be proficient in most of the stances already. But knowing the footwork and being able to actually guide the currents of air are not the same thing. "Your brother mentioned that you could airbend too. Is that true?"
"Well, um … kind of. I don't really do the normal airbending thing, not so much anyway. My brother can get the wind going most of the time now! But um, I do this thing …" Malu trailed off. "Um. We should probably go outside. And you should also, um, cover your ears."
Aang grinned. "Well, now you've got me curious! Whatever it is … I'm guessing it's loud."
"Super loud." Malu replied, sounding a little unsure. "Really, really, really loud. Loud is pretty much the whole deal. I um, found it out when I was having an argument."
"It's extremely loud." Detsen concurred laconically.
Aang wasn't going to wait around and quickly left the cave they were in, to an open outdoor space, where he got ready to put his ears to his head. "Okay, whenever you're ready! Let's see what you've got, Malu!" Aang gave her his best encouraging grin.
"Um … okay." Malu waited for a moment until Aang had covered his ears.
And then the slender little girl proceeded to make the loudest noise out of her mouth that Aang had ever heard, an ultrasonic screech which violently assaulted his entire body. Covering his ears wasn't remotely enough. And even when she finished, which was probably about a second later, his ears were ringing loudly and he honestly wondered if there would be lingering damage.
"... I told you it was loud." Malu finally said with an embarrassed blush. "Sorry."
"What?" Aang asked, before simply waiting a moment for the ringing to die down a little. "Um. That's … that's a pretty powerful move." And as far as Aang knew, it was totally unique as well. He'd certainly never met an airbender that screamed before. "How do you feel about learning more about airbending? I'm not quite sure where I'm going to set up yet, but when I do, you and your brother- heck, everyone here, is invited."
Where am I going to do that? All the air temples are either occupied or … graves. I need to start somewhere new. Aang promised himself that he was going to mull it over carefully.
Not Far Away:
Mai wasn't sure how Zuko had convinced her that their time together, almost a honeymoon- they weren't likely to have much of the real thing when they got home, was best spent traipsing the world with the Avatar and his girlfriend, but she resented it already. She knew that Zuko and Aang were good friends and a small part of her thought seeing them hanging out together was weirdly cute, but- it also reminded her that, no, she wasn't the only person that Zuko was happy around.
And Katara. Katara who seemed to want to get elbow-deep into the personal, emotional lives of everyone she was around. Mai was pretty sure Katara meant well, but she also wanted to be left alone. I don't want to be open to just, whoever. I barely met you. I don't know you. Mai didn't want to be known. She was fine the way she was, or mostly so.
"Hey, Mai. I feel like we didn't get off on the best foot-" Ugh. Here Katara was again, trying to make things better, because of course she did. She was a fixer, someone who couldn't just let things alone. Mai wanted to simply pretend not to hear, but Katara was literally just ten feet away from her. Practically up in Mai's personal space. She'd have to reply to the waterbender somehow.
"It's fine." It came out clipped and frosty and Mai knew that wasn't going to go over well- sometimes she wished she could feign cheerfulness just a little better. Then again, Ty Lee would probably just have hugged it out with Katara. Ty Lee hugged just about everyone. And that's fine for Ty Lee. Ty Lee can be sunny and pretty and happy and see stupid colourful auras. I'm not like that. Never have been. But sometimes I think I'd do better if I could pretend just a little better.
"Mai … I'm really trying to understand if I said something wrong." Katara looked contrite, but Mai knew she was a cutting remark away from being angry. It's the only time when you're interesting, actually. She'd seen Katara pretty much single handedly take down a group of over a dozen bandits, half of whom were Earthbenders. She's probably even more powerful than Azula.
Still not interested in being her new best friend.
"... look." Mai sighed, trying to be a little diplomatic, because they were probably going to be stuck together for awhile. "You didn't say anything wrong. I just don't, I dunno, I don't know you and you don't know me that well." Mai shrugged. "Not everyone is destined to be best friends, you know."
"Yeah, but it's like … you don't even want to be friends with anyone." Katara snapped back. "All you've done is complain! And talk about how things are awful. And if they're really that bad, why are you even here? I'm sure you could go back to the Fire Nation and do whatever." Mai was familiar with this. It happened all the time. Everyone lost patience. It was for the best.
Mai was fine with keeping her circle small.
"Sheesh." Mai rolled her eyes. "I came because my fiance wanted to hang out with his best friend, the Avatar. Trust me. I wouldn't have chosen hanging out in a freezing wasteland for what is probably the only decent vacation we'll get for years. But since our partners are all but kissing each other-" Mai shrugged again. "Here we are. Whatever."
"What is even your problem?" Katara sighed harshly and finally stamped off, leaving Mai by herself, which was a comfortable enough situation. Mai liked solitude. Solitude didn't have expectations. Idly, she picked up a stone, trying to toss it into a small gap in a larger pile of other rocks. As usual, she got it the first time. Let's see if I can go two for two here. She picked up another rock and thought about Katara and her fussiness and how annoying it was, and everyone's expectations of her and the fact that Zuko had dragged her out to this freezing wasteland instead of somewhere nice where they could be alone together.
And this time, when she threw the rock, she felt it, a force from within, driving the stone into the pile just as accurately, but far harder than ever before. Her eyes opened wide.
That's not possible.
This time she pulled one of the throwing knives from her coat and flung it towards pile of rocks and this time, it was unmistakable, the slight wind bending in the direction of the throw, propelling the knife with incredible velocity and power, hard enough to bury it almost halfway into a large rock in the pile. If that rock would have been a human, Mai was sure it would've gone right through them and kept going.
Oh, spirits help me.
I … I think I just airbended. Airbent.
