The following is a disclaimer: I own no part of the Avatar series. They are copyrighted by Nickelodeon; this is merely a fanfiction.

Now that I've got that out of the way, here's the scoop. The Avatar series has ended happily, but I always felt that there should have been a Book 4: Air. Well, I decided to go for it and write one myself. Here's my interpretation of the 4th book. Enjoy guys, and let me know if you like it!

Book 4:

Air

Chapter two:

Family Matters

The prisoner sat in his lowly cell, cursing his fate. He was so foolish, so arrogant. How could he have let himself be defeated by that … boy?! The thought was just too much to bear. Inside his chest, the man burned like a torch.

He heard footsteps, and his head jolted upward.

His son…

But this was not going to be a tender family moment. There would be no words of love for each other.

Just simply … words.

The prisoner snorted at the appearance of his son. "I should count myself lucky – the new Fire Lord has graced me with his presence in my lowly prison cell!"

"You should count yourself lucky that the Avatar spared your life!"

The prisoner made a noise in his throat and turned away. His son took a deep breath, his heart heavy with what he was about to say.

"Banishing me was the best thing you could have done for my life. It put me on the right track. Perhaps your time in here can do the same for you."

The father looked up at his son for the first time. This was not just a social meeting… "Why are you really here?"

"Because you're going to tell me something." The boy leaned forward earnestly, his hands gripping the cell bars. He clearly annunciated his next sentence.

"Where. Is. My. Mother?"

"Ugh, please tell me that I don't have to wear this thing all the time!" Toph was standing in the kitchen of the Jasmine Dragon, wearing the bright, frilly waitress uniform supplied to her by Iroh. A sour expression was on her face. "It's so tight. And itchy!"

Jin smiled at her as she tied her apron. "You'll get used to it…"

"I don't want to get used to it!"

At that moment, Iroh came in, a merry smile plastered across his face. "What a beautiful day to begin your waitressing career!"

"Good morning, sunshine," Toph scathingly remarked. "Alright, what do I have to do first?"

The old man placed several cups of tea on a tray and handed it to the young girl. "For starters, bring this over to Table Three."

Sighing, Toph grabbed the tray and made her way over to the table. "Here's your order," she said in a monotone voice, and carelessly tossed the tray on the table, nearly spilling the boiling contents on the sitting patrons. They gave her angry looks and one man complained about the service.

Toph returned to the kitchen smirking. "There, mission accomplished."

Iroh clicked his tongue and wagged his finger at her. "No, no, no Toph. You mustn't be so rude. You must take your time with the customers, be polite, chat with them about the weather or something…"

"In other words, be a total weenie."

"Exactly! No wait, I mean -."

"Okay, okay," the blind girl said, waving her arm away. "I'll try my best."

Iroh beamed at her. "That's all I ask."

Sighing, Toph took another tray and headed out to deliver it to her customers. She was already feeling a headache pounding away at her temples.

"This is going to be a looooooong day…"

"This is the Southern Water Tribe?"

Aang, Katara and Sokka were sitting on Appa's back, amazed expressions worn on their faces. After searching the Air Temple in vain, Aang was beginning to become quite frustrated at not being able to find the torn piece of Gyatso's journal. Hoping to take his mind off of it for a while (and because she wanted to see her family again), Katara encouraged him to take a break for a few days to visit the Southern Water Tribe. Grudgingly, he agreed, though he hid Gyatso's journal away in his shirt.

And so here they were, on Appa's back, the tribe inching closer to them. Except, it no longer looked like a tribe. In fact, it looked like a small city. Large igloos and buildings made of ice dotted the landscape, and there were certainly more people here. Sokka immediately guessed that his step-grandfather, Pakku, had taken some Waterbenders from up north and brought them here to repopulate; help their sister tribe grow.

"I can't believe it!" Sokka couldn't contain his excitement. "Look! We have a harbor now!"

"And there are people waiting for us," Katara pointed out. "They must have seen us coming on Appa!"

Sokka leaned back in the saddle. "Looks like we're getting a heroes welcome." He rubbed his hands together greedily. "Ooh, and Gran-Gran can make us some seal-jerky too!"

The sky bison touched down at the tip of the harbor and the trio hopped off. They were greeted with shouts and cheers from the crowd. Everyone tried to get at the Avatar, to see him, to just touch the skin of the one who had saved them all. Aang and Katara tried to take it in humbly. Sokka didn't.

"Yea, we saved the world," he announced. "Don't forget to give credit to where credit is due! Aang may have stopped the Fire Lord, but I'm the one who taught him everything he knows!" He puffed his chest out proudly, only to be pelted in the crotch by snowballs from several laughing children. The melted snowballs left a wet stain.

"Haha, you peed your pants!"

"Let me through," came a voice, and the crowds parted the way for a frumpy old woman. "I have to see with my own eyes!" She squinted, and suddenly her features melted.

"Katara!"

The old woman ran forward and embraced her granddaughter. Katara nuzzled her face in the woman's neck. "I've missed you, Gran-Gran."

"What about me," Sokka complained. "Didn't you miss me, Gran-Gran?" The old woman thumped him on the head.

"Oww, what was that for?"

"When you left last year, you forgot to clean your room. We had to tie scarves around our faces so we wouldn't inhale any toxic fumes." She then reached out and quickly hugged her grandson.

And then she turned to the bald monk next to her. "And here he is… The one who saved the world." Aang found himself crushed in Gran-Gran's embrace.

"Okay, don't throttle the kid," came a surly voice, and Aang peered past Gran-Gran to see…

"Sifu Pakku!"

The old Waterbending Master nodded his head respectfully at his pupil, and Aang's eyes lit up with excitement as he rushed over to him. Pakku held out a gloved hand to stop him. "I don't do hugs…"

Pakku then turned to his new grandchildren. "Katara … uh … good to see you."

Katara bowed respectfully, knowing how poor Pakku was with words.

Sokka, however, immediately bombarded the old man. "So you're my grandpa now! How's it feel to be a grandpa? Does it make you feel old; would it be something I want to do later in life?!" He paused panting. "And what to call you?! I know. Grand-Pakku!"

Pakku looked at him. "No."

"Grandpa?"

"No."

"Gramps?"

"No."

There was an awkward silence.

Sokka finally opened his mouth to speak again –

"No," before any words were even able to come out. Pakku smiled. "That was a pre-emptive 'no.'"

Katara meanwhile, was looking around anxiously. "So uh … where's dad?"

"He still hasn't returned," Pakku answered. "He, Bato and their regiment are still out there, cleaning up a few pockets of Fire Nation resistance. They should be back within the month."

"Oh." Katara lowered her head in disappointment. She had been looking forward to seeing Hakoda again…

Sokka, however, was able to shrug away her disappointment, grabbing her by the wrist and bolting off.

"Come on, I want to see all the new renovations!"

"Here's your tea," said Toph in the most nauseatingly sweet voice she could muster. She placed the tea on the table and curtsied, just as Iroh instructed her. Frankly, she was ready to barf.

She sauntered behind the counter to the kitchen, where Jin was stacking empty trays. "Ugh," the Earthbender complained. "It's only my first day on the job and I'm already sick of it!"

Iroh overheard the conversation and intruded himself into it. "Now, that is not the right attitude to take! You must take pride in your work, pride that you've made someone else's day that much brighter!" His grin was cheesy.

Toph leaned into Jin's ear and whispered. "I love Iroh and all, but all his bright, sunshine talk is going to drive me bonkers!"

Iroh was humming softly to himself, helping Jin stack the trays, when a cold chill went through the room and the entire tea shop went silent. The patrons sat there, their talking died down as they stared at the entrance to the shop. Iroh looked up to see the source of the disturbance and his face immediately paled.

Toph seemed to have noticed. "Are you alright? Your heartbeat just skyrocketed!"

Iroh didn't seem to hear her, and he was mumbling to himself. "No! Not him! Anyone but him!"

"What's going on," Toph pressed, annoyed at not knowing what was happening. Jin noticed, and she suddenly became very nervous too.

"It's him!"

Toph knitted her eyebrows. "Someone better tell me what's going on! Who just came into the shop?"

"His name is Nizu, but everyone just calls him, 'The Unsatisfiable'. He's a top rated food critic in Ba Sing Se; but he's never satisfied, hence the name. He always finds something to complain about, no matter how perfect the food is. And then he always demands free food for compensation." Jin shuddered. "You should see what he did to soup kitchen for the homeless. It was horrible…"

Iroh was rocking in a fetal position in the corner, babbling incoherently.

Nizu, a.k.a. The Unsatisfiable, was a large man with glasses and lips like a fish. He wore what appeared to be a fanny-pack, and sandals with long socks. He waddled his way over to a table, pulled up a seat, sat down and then loudly cleared his throat, expecting service.

Jin's face shot over to Toph. "What are you waiting for, go serve him!"

"I just got back from serving six other customers! Why don't you do it?!"

Jin was trembling. "I don't have the courage…"

Toph rolled her eyes at her and Iroh, before tying her apron up nice and tight. She thumbed her nose at the two before heading out into the dining area. She cleared her throat, and then spoke in a sugary tone.

"Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon, how may I help you?!"

"Well it's about time," Nizu snapped in a nasal voice. Just hearing it made Toph want to punch him out. "I'll try a cup of your best ginseng tea, along with another cup of jasmine. Is that clear, or should I spell it out so that your brain can understand?"

Toph bit her lip, trying not to lose her cool. "Crystal clear. I'll bring you your order immediately." She curtsied to him, and hurried back to fill his order.

Iroh was holding onto Jin, a frightened look on his face. "Oh Spirits," he whimpered. "He doesn't look happy." He grabbed Toph and began shaking her furiously. "For heaven's sake, don't mess this up!"

"Okay, okay," she replied, shrugging the old man off. "But why are you so frightened of this guy?"

"Because he writes reviews for the highest class citizens in the Upper Ring. One bad review from him could put the Jasmine Dragon out of business! Please, Toph, please, don't do anything to upset him!" Iroh was practically begging.

"Okaaaaay, relax." She piled a teapot and several cups onto a tray and brought them to the table. "Here you are," she announced, pouring Nizu some tea. "Enjoy!"

Nizu brought the tea up to his nose and sniffed it, allowing the aroma to waft up his nose. "Not a bad smell…" He dipped his finger into the cup and stirred. "Fine texture. But let's see how it tastes." He took a mouthful and swished it around his cheeks.

Toph seemed relieved.

That is until Nizu spat his whole mouthful out right into her face.

"This tea is horrible! I don't think it could even be called tea – it's bile! Disgusting, filthy, lacks imagination! Your shop is a disgrace. I'm a dissatisfied customer, and as such, I demand a refund!"

"Ooh, tough break," Toph replied. "We can't give you a refund. You see, you already drank some of that tea. But you're welcome to buy another one." She beamed at him.

Nizu never had anyone refuse him a refund. He stood up, straightening his clothes. "Clearly you have no idea who I am…"

Toph opened her mouth to speak, but had her mouth immediately covered by Iroh's hand. He was apologizing profusely. "Please excuse her," the old man said. "She's new and she doesn't quite understand how things work. Please, allow me to give you a full refund and a free pass here whenever you like."

Nizu , however wasn't listening to Iroh's apology and he pointed at Toph. "No. You were about to say something to me. Come on, girlie, spit it out. I want to hear what you have to say." He motioned for Iroh to move his hand.

Iroh looked down at Toph, praying she would just apologize and refund this guy. Toph was clearly past her boiling point, and she couldn't help but blurt out what was on her mind.

"You said that I don't know who you are, but that's not quite true. I do know who you are – you're a pathetic, loser of a man who probably still lives with his mother and gets his kicks from being a pompous, annoying -." She was interrupted by Iroh's hand covering her mouth again.

"She's such a joker," he cut her off.

Nizu stood there with his mouth wide open in shock at the tongue lashing he just received. "Well I never!" He looked at Iroh, who looked ready to pass out. "If this is the type of conduct you condone in your employees, then I wish to have no part of this place. I can't wait to write a review about this place! You'll never work in this town again!"

He turned on his heel and stormed out.

Iroh was trembling, as he let go of Toph. He brought his hand to his eyes, collapsed in a chair, and began weeping. "I'm finished! After all the hard work I put in to make this place a success, in just five minutes …" He made falling motion with his hand.

Toph, however, was watching the door that Nizu had exited through. "Hey," she said, "I'm going on break." She bolted out the door.

"But you don't get breaks," Iroh called after her.

Everyone waited for a few seconds. Suddenly, there was the sound of punching, beating, and several girlish screams.

Toph returned a moment later, dusting her hands off. "Don't worry about The Unsatisfiable," she said, patting Iroh on the shoulder. "He decided he's going to write a good review for this place."

Iroh looked up at her with a tear-streamed face. "R-really? How did you convince him?"

"Let's just say, I can be very persuasive."

Iroh crushed her in a hug. "I'm so glad you were able to work it out with him!" He then returned behind the counter to begin making more tea.

Jin approached Toph and whispered, "How did you convince him to not write a bad review?"

A devious smile flitted across Toph's face. "Let's just say The Unsatisfiable got real familiar with the local dumpster."

Toph had a good day for the rest of her shift.

"It feels so good to be back," exclaimed Sokka, snuggling into a warm bearskin bed. They were all inside the chieftain's igloo, though it was quite empty without Hakoda lounging around.

While Sokka was babbling on, Aang sat in contemplation. He found his hand moving under his shirt, caressing Gyatso's journal. He could almost feel traces of his friend still left in the book, and it stirred his memories.

Aang had to find this fifth air temple. He had to see if there were any Air Nomads still out there, hiding, waiting to return to the world and rebuild.

He had to do it out of honor for Gyatso.

But what of that torn page? And how would he find this air temple?

He was brought out of his ruminations by Katara's cheerful face. "Hey, Aang, there was something I wanted to ask you."

He nodded. "Okay, shoot."

She hesitated, and then her eyes brightened up as she blurted out, "would you go penguin sledding with me?!"

Aang was taken aback, expecting it to be a more serious question. "Penguin sledding?"

Katara shrugged. "Consider it a date!"

At that comment, Aang felt butterflies in his stomach and his face turned beet red. He grabbed her and practically dragged her out the door. "Come on, let's go!"

Here they were, almost a year later. Aang remembered when they first went penguin sledding. They had gotten lost and found an abandoned Fire Nation vessel. Their curiosity had gotten the better of them and they had accidentally triggered a flare that signaled Prince Zuko to come after them.

Some would say that it had been fate.

Aang and Katara watched dozens of penguins waddling about, making noise, flapping their wings. "Alright," Aang said, bracing himself. "Fish me!"

"It would be my pleasure." Katara tossed a wriggling fish down Aang's shirt, and all of a sudden he was surrounded by penguins. Picking out a particularly chubby one, the Airbender hopped aboard its back, and began sledding down the slope. Katara followed suit.

The two were laughing as the wind and snow blew past their faces. Katara pulled up alongside Aang. "Last one down is a rotten platypus-bear egg!" And she slid past him.

Aang couldn't control his smile. "Oh no you don't!"

They were neck and neck, going through ice tunnels, dodging frozen stalagmites, flying off ramps.

Aang couldn't believe his fortune, that he was out here with Katara. And, she had called it a date! So that was it then. They were now, "officially" dating. He thought back to the customs of his people. The Air Nomads were generally monks, but they did allow for relationships between men and women as long as they were committed. He remembered Gyatso's lecture about women.

"Remember Aang … Airbenders mate for life. When you meet a girl, and you fall in love … just make sure she's the right one. Be absolutely positive before you commit yourself."

Was Katara the right one for him?

Well, right now, with the way things were going between them, Aang was absolutely positive she was.

The Royal Entourage made their way down the streets of Plaza City, the capital of the Fire Nation. It was nestled nicely inside the crater of a volcano.

Instead of being carried by royal pallbearers, Zuko preferred to walk. He didn't want to be like his father – hidden from his populace. He wanted his people to see him, to feel comfortable around him, to know that he wasn't some inapproachable entity.

Judging from the looks he was receiving, however, the people didn't seem too pleased to see him. In fact, many of them were shooting him dirty looks. Of course, there were a few here and there that were thrilled at his appearance, glad to be rid of the tyranny of Ozai. However, the rest were displeased at the apparent regime change.

"Can we go back," Mai complained as she lagged behind her boyfriend.

Zuko turned around incredulously. "Go back? But we just started our walk!"

"I don't like the looks we're getting," she complained. "And my feet hurt."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "There's no pleasing you," he chuckled. He signaled to his guards. "But you win," he continued. "We'll go back and have some lunch."

"Fine by me," Mai grumbled.

Suddenly, a voice came from the crowd. "Down with the Fire Lord!"

Zuko was pelted in the chest with something. He touched the gooey, thick red substance splattered on his royal robes. A tomato! Someone had thrown a tomato at him.

And more fruits and vegetables were rapidly hurled at him.

The guards began dispersing, trying to keep the crowd in order. One of them turned to the Fire Lord. "Sir, I think it best if you returned to the Palace immediately. There might be a riot if you stay too much longer!"

Nodding, Zuko took Mai's hand and they hurried towards the Palace. The whole way back, neither said a word. Deep down, Zuko was hurt that his own people wanted to be rid of him.

He was so unlike his father, and yet the Fire Nation hated him.

"Where did this blizzard come from?"

Aang, Katara and Momo were standing in the middle of an enormous tundra, as furious winds berated them. Aang couldn't see an inch in front of him because of the thick snow. It was a complete whiteout.

Here's what happened. Their penguin sledding race had taken them out farther then they expected. When they realized that they had no clue as to where they were, that's when the snow hit.

"We need to find shelter," Katara shouted above the howling winds.

"We need to make one!" Together, Aang and Katara moved the snow about, solidifying it into blocks of ice. They then began piling the ice blocks together, forming a makeshift igloo. It wasn't a palace, but it would have to do.

They crawled inside and Aang created a small fire in the center of the hut.

Now most people think that the inside of igloos are quite cold. Actually, the opposite is true. If built correctly, the inside can be nice and warm. So Aang and Katara leaned next to each other along the walls of the building, also using their body heat to generate more warmth.

Aang watched the blizzard raging outside. "We'll wait 'till it clears, and then we can try to find our way back." He felt his stomach rumble. "Do we have any food?"

"Hold on." Katara reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of leechie nuts. They split them between the two of them and Momo. They were still unsatisfied, but it was better than nothing.

They sat in silence for about half an hour until Katara spoke up. "Hey Aang … I'm sorry."

"Sorry? What do you have to be sorry about?"

"I'm sorry about your people. I'm sorry that you didn't find any clues to if any survived."

"But I did," Aang announced, showing her Gyatso's journal. "We now know that there's a fifth air temple. And if I can find it, maybe I can find some surviving Air Nomads."

Katara shook her head. "But you don't even know where this temple is!"

"Well, that would be a snag in the plan. But, if I go to the other air temples, I may find other clues there. They could lead me to the fifth temple!"

She smiled at the monk next to her. "So it sounds like we're going on another adventure!"

"We?"

"Of course! You didn't think Sokka and I would let you go alone, did you? Not on your life!"

His smile was bittersweet. "Are you sure? I mean, I saw how happy you two were to be returning here."

"It was nice coming home, but for now, this mission is our top priority. Where you go, we go!"

Hearing those words made him feel even better. "Katara, I'm glad you're with me. Even if we are stuck in the middle of nowhere!"

The torches flickered blood-red, casting an eerie glow in the dark hallway. It was nighttime out, which made it the perfect time for the kind of discussion that needed to be had. Two guards silently led a young man down the hall. The only sound was the echo of their footsteps.

They stopped in front of a door. "His cell is just inside. If you need us, give a shout."

Fire Lord Zuko nodded. "I will."

It was a well rehearsed scene that played out night after night. Zuko would come to this prison every night, the guards would lead him to this cell, and they would tell him those exact words.

Zuko entered the room, and before him was a barred cell. A lone man sat in the shadows, his clothes ragged and torn and his hair flung about and his beard hung limply.

"Why are you here," came a throaty growl from the man.

"For the same reason I come every night. To ask you a question." He sighed as he repeated verbatim the same question once more. "Where is my mother?"

"And I'll tell you as I've told you every other night – I have no clue."

"You're lying!"

"Am I? Or are you afraid to admit the truth."

"What truth?"

"The truth that your mother abandoned us – abandoned you!"

Zuko gripped the bars tightly, anger etched on his face. "That's a lie! You banished her!"

"And what did she do to deserve being banished, eh? She committed treason."

"Because you forced her to! You would have killed me otherwise!"

"Mere semantics. And where has your mother been all these years? Why hasn't she gotten in contact with you?"

Zuko remained silent.

The man stood up from where he was sitting and approached the bars. Prison life had not been kind to former Phoenix King Ozai. He had bags under his eyes and his body was covered in dirt and grime.

Ozai continued on. "I'll tell you why. Because your mother forgot about you!"

"She did not!"

"And then you know what probably happened? Your mother probably died in a gutter, bottle in hand!"

Zuko clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking. It took all his effort not to punch his father out right then and there. "Shut up about her!"

"The truth hurts, doesn't it?!"

"Don't twist things around on me, Father! If Mother had tried to get in contact with me … if she ever returned here, you would have had her executed on the spot!"

"Zuko, that hurts me. I could never have my wife put to death. I am not the monster that you and the Avatar have portrayed me as. I tried to save the world, to bring about a world of true peace. All for you, my son."

Zuko nearly retched. "You must be deluded, to try to justify yourself like that! If you were really so righteous – if you really had my best interests at heart – you could never have banished me on a hopeless mission to capture the Avatar!" He leaned forward and pointed at his left eye. "This scar shows you for the monster that you are!"

Ozai snorted. "Now who believes himself to be so righteous? Who is deluded? Tell me, Zuko, while you sit here condemning me, what have you done with your sister?"

"Azula is receiving the top psychiatric care the Fire Nation can offer."

"That's not what I hear. I hear that you have her chained up in a prison cell, like a wild animal. Imagine that … your own sister, locked away, shunned from the world, alone and frightened…"

Zuko was trembling where he stood. "This isn't about Azula! She only received what she had coming to her!"

"Ah, so when I do something – such as discipline my child – I am labeled a tyrant, a monster. But when you lock away a little girl so that she never sees the light of day again, you are suddenly the 'good guy.' She had it 'coming to her.' How convenient."

"Enough!" The venom was clear in the boy's voice and he turned to leave. "You can sit and rot here!"

Ozai called after his retreating form. "You know, tomato is a really nice color for you!"

Zuko stopped and whirled around. "What did you just say?"

"The incident in the market. Don't look so surprised, news travels fast and I hear about all that goes on in the outside world. How amusing. Your own people hate you, yet they would love to see me set back on the throne. Meanwhile, you can't even set foot outside without a mob forming. Tell me, Zuko, who is the real prisoner here?"

"Things will change," Zuko replied. "I will make this nation prosperous – as it was before the war began. The people will see reason soon enough!"

"I sure hope so, Zuko. Though, forgive me, I doubt that if you were to have an … accident … the people would miss you all that much."

Accident?

"What do you mean, 'accident'?"

"Oh nothing. Pay no heed to me; I'm just a lowly prisoner." Ozai suddenly grabbed the bars, his face pressed between them, his voice an odd hiss. "But know this … I will have my throne back. The people will welcome me back with open arms. And the war will continue!"

Zuko shook his head. "You're insane. There's no way you would ever rule again, especially trapped behind those bars." Chuckling to himself, Zuko exited the room, closing the door behind him.

Ozai chuckled too and spoke more to himself. "You're the one who's grown delusional, Zuko. These bars have never truly imprisoned me. While I've been 'trapped' in here, I've developed powers that you could only dream of…"

Thanks for all the reviews guys! Please, if you have any suggestions, constructive criticism, anything at all you want to say, let me know. I'd love to hear what you guys think of this chapter. I'll try to crank out the next one during the next few days or so.