A/N:
So Another Shot was one of the three stories that made the cut. As promised, here is the next chapter. Hope you like it, even if I STILL don't own Avatar TLA :)
"Why did you bring us here, again?" Toph asked irritably. Katara still had no idea how the earthbender had managed to fall asleep in the few minutes she had been gone, but that hadn't stopped her from waking her up.
Zuko had been much easier to convince. It had been too long since he had seen her look so excited over anything. It was worth his attention and more to investigate further into the cause.
"Shh," Katara said, stepping towards the edge of the water. She knelt and exhaled deeply, dipping her hands in the cool water once more, hoping that the Painted Lady would reappear as she said she would.
A few seconds and Toph grew impatient.
"Can I go back to sleep yet?" she asked, crossing her arms in frustration. Katara was about to retort when the fog rolled back in and the Painted Lady appeared, a small smile on her face.
Zuko's eyes widened and he bowed his head politely. Toph only got more irritated, sensing the movement but not seeing the spirit. She opened her mouth to say something but the Painted Lady stopped her, chuckling in a melodious voice.
Be calm, Toph of the Earth. There is much to be done and little time in which to do it, the Painted Lady murmured softly. Toph's jaw fell.
"I- I know that voice! But that was just a dream!" Toph exclaimed. Katara and Zuko looked to the spirit for an explanation. The woman smiled again, her eyes lighting up as she took in Toph's expression. She stepped down onto the earth but Toph's expression didn't change, her senses not picking up the intangible spirit.
It was, she agreed, turning to face all three of them. He face fell serious, the smile melting away. As I've told Katara, the spirits and I have been convened for many years to discuss this war.
"The war's over, we lost," Zuko said a little bitterly. The Painted Lady's smile returned to her face.
Nothing is ever truly lost, Zuko of the Fire. Just as you thought your mother was forever lost. However, that is a discussion for a later time, I believe. For now, I'm afraid I'll have to repeat my… request of you.
"Request?" Toph asked, speaking once again. The Painted Lady nodded at her, not that the master earthbender could see it.
Yes, child. The spirits have been arguing for many years, ever since Sozin began this war and slew those of Air. It was only the reappearance of the Avatar that brought spirits back to our side. Many wanted to burrow away in the Spirit World, hoping that, when the next Avatar was born, they wouldn't begrudge the spirits. But that was not fated to be.
You all- Katara of the Water, Sokka of the Water, Toph of the Earth, Suki of the Earth, Zuko of the Fire, and Aang of the Air- forced many spirits to rethink their views on humanity.
It was you, she continued, smiling at Katara, that allowed me to plead on your behalf. The last true heart we have seen belonged to Yue of the Water. We had hoped to put our belief in her, but she was too kind for her own safety. She revived the Moon spirit and joined with her, creating a bond the other spirits didn't dare to separate. Then you came, to this very village. You endangered both yourself and your mission, as well as the Avatar's mission, all to help people you had never met. You put aside your hatred of what the Fire Nation has become these last one hundred years and helped when Ozai's puppets couldn't be bothered. That is why we are allowed this transgression.
"This what?" Toph asked, the confusion rising in her voice. Katara glanced towards the blind girl.
"She convinced the spirits to train us and then…"
Send you back, just before the fray.
"And that's supposed to mean?" Toph nearly growled.
The spirits, namely Jikan, permit a… journey back.
"Back where?" Katara shook her head at Toph's question.
"Not where, when. Back to the day Sokka and I first found Aang, trapped in that iceberg. From what I understand, the spirits can't directly interfere in this war. So, to get around that, they're going to train the three of us until we can win this war with Aang, Sokka, and Suki back. Right?" Katara said, suddenly unsure as she looked up to the spirit. The Painted Lady smiled.
Well said. Katara is correct. Spirits cannot directly interfere with humanity unless we ourselves are attacked in the Spirit World. If the Fire Nation figures out a way into the Spirit World, it will be too late for everyone. So, to circumvent that, the three of you shall be our hands in this war if you agree to it. We will train you into the ground but I can guarantee that our results will be well worth it. What say you, Toph of the Earth, Zuko of the Fire, Katara of the Water?
"Of course," Katara said without a moment of hesitation. The Painted Lady smiled briefly before turning towards Toph.
"Eh, why not," she shrugged, yawning. The spirit turned to Zuko. The firebender was very obviously battling with himself.
"What is it?" Katara asked, concerned for the firebender who had quickly became one of her closest friends at the end of the war.
"It's just- Uncle," Zuko explained in a word. Katara's concern transformed into confusion and Zuko sighed. "What if-… I've changed," he said, his eyes glinting with determination and purpose. Katara nodded slowly.
"You have changed, Zuko. You've chosen the right path. That is all that will matter to Iroh. If anything, I'm sure he'll invite you to tea in an attempt to get some details out of you," Katara smiled wryly. Zuko's eyes lit dully and he nodded, now to the Painted Lady. She smiled in turn.
That's wonderful, she smiled genuinely. Now for the next step. Come into the water, all of you. I will take you to the safest place in this world, safer than a lion turtle's back, where we shall begin your training.
As Katara mulled over what was safer than a lion turtle's back, she walked into the water, allowing herself to sink into the cool river. Zuko followed a step behind, Toph holding onto his arm.
When all three were knee-deep in the blue water, the Painted Lady twisted her arms around herself gracefully. The water lifted up obediently, forming a bubble of air in which the group stood. Then, at no identifiable cue, the bubble began to sink, gradually at first but then faster, and faster still, forcing Katara to question how deep this river was. The outside of the bubble thickened into an opaque icy shell and the Painted Lady pushed it into an underwater cavern. She lifted it onto the ground and melted the ice away with a flick of her wrist, revealing the open sky framed by mountains, one of which was smoking lazily. They were in a valley lush with green and humming with gentle life. From their vantage point, they could see a crystal-clear lake with not a single ripple, reflecting the moon above.
"Where are we?" Katara asked, stepping away from the remains of the ice bubble. The Painted Lady smiled at her, becoming less transparent with each passing second as she seemed to drift into reality.
This is my home, deep under the river.
"Under the river? But the sky…" Zuko's voice drifted off.
"You will notice many strange things here. It'd be easiest for you if you simply accepted their existence. Now, follow me." Hearing her truly speak for the first time, the three paused before obeying.
The Painted Lady led them through the valley on a path of irregularly shaped stepping stones. Just as the trees began to thin, Zuko and Katara paused, just now spotting a huge house just at the edge of the lake. The Painted Lady smiled at them patiently.
"You may look around later. For now, it is time to meet your masters."
"You mean you won't be training us?" Katara said, sounding disappointed.
"I shall be training you, young waterbender. I'm afraid my skills don't extend to the ways of fire and earth. Zuko and Toph shall be taught by my husband and my brother. It has been long since any of us have taken on an apprentice. So long that our pupils have taught humanity."
"You mean-"
"Yes, Zuko. I, Uisce, was the one to first teach the Moon how to bend, just as Rhyu taught the dragons firebending, as Awyr taught the sky bison, and as Cruinne taught the badgermoles."
"You taught the moon to waterbend?" Katara asked, her voice full of respect for the spirit. Uisce nodded, smiling. "That's amazing!"
"Perhaps from your perspective, yes. But, from my point of view, Tui was simply a talented student. I had hoped that she'd one day take over from me but she decided her destiny was to watch over those of Water in the mortal world with La."
A hint of sadness filled Uisce's voice but it was easily overpowered by the obvious fondness she held for her former apprentice.
Stopping at the door, Uisce ushered the three teenagers inside the house. There, standing in the living room, were three adults. Each had a distinguishing feature, such as Uisce's paint. The woman looked the most extravagant. She had swirling blue tattoos accented with a dark purple trailing up her arms, similar to Aang's arrows. Her long flowing hair, reaching just past her lower back, was a startling white with a single blue streak on her right side. She wore simple black pants with a loose yellow peasant top.
One man had fiery red hair just a little shorter than Zuko's and skillful tattoos of flames etched along the left side of his face. His eyes were black but glinted in the light, not dissimilar to coal. He wore a simple red tunic with black pants tucked into boots. From the way he was standing, Zuko and Katara could see the small flame embroidered onto his left sleeve.
The other man looked… rather ordinary. He vaguely reminded Katara of Haru but slightly stronger built. He wore similar clothing to her earthbender friend. He wore his brown hair long, just past his shoulders, pinned back with clips shaped like leaves. He had a moustache, accenting his strong jaw.
"May I introduce, our new pupils," Uisce said with a smile, gently pushing the three teenagers towards her husband and her siblings.
A/N:
Well, I'm back :)
Eh... Sort of.
ANYWAY, this is going to be listed as the third chapter long enough for the alert to get sent out that, "hey guys she finally updated her story!" gets emailed out to everyone who alerted. Then I'll take down the POLL RESULTS chapter at the same time I upload chapter three which should be sometime in the next week or two. Don't quote me on that, though.
Till next time,
Sue ^.^