The Fallen Warrior

After an hour of being with Guru Pathik, Aang had opened all of the necessary chakras. Well, all but one. The two of them climbed up to the highest point of the mountain and faced one another.

"Aang, earlier I had told you about love taking on a new form in our lives, yes?"

He smiled at the memory of Katara and nodded his head.

"Unfortunately, in order to master the Avatar State, you must block out all distractions in your life. It is necessary to let go off all things possibly holding you back. This way you will be able to take on the true power of being the Avatar."

Aang's eyes were wide in horror, "So what you're saying is I have to let go of Katara?" He took a few steps back from the Guru.

"For now, I am afraid that it will-"

"No, I won't do it," Aang shook his head. "I can't." He headed back towards Appa.

"Aang, if you do not open this chakra today, you will never be able to fully master the Avatar State!"

Guru Pathik's shouting was no use; the Airbender was well into the sky heading back towards the Waterbender he loved.

Sokka had barely been with his dad, Hakoda, for a little over an hour now. Already the two of them were coming up with brilliant war strategies and plans. It was like old times for the young warrior, old times that he had missed very much.

"This is great, Sokka," said Hakoda patting his son on the back. "If things keep up this way, we'll not only be infiltrating the Fire Nation, we'll have it practically melting in our hands.

The two laughed together, enjoying the rare time shared.

"So tell me again, why wasn't your sister able to join us today? I haven't seen her in two years, now."

"Katara insisted on staying back at the Western Air Temple. She thought it was necessary for at least one of us to keep it safe. But I mean, don't get me wrong. Katara really misses you, and she even told me to tell you hi, and-"

"Sokka, I understand," Hakoda laughed. "You haven't changed a bit have you?"

He blushed, "Yeah, I kind of get a bit chatty when I'm nervous."

"You wouldn't be you if you didn't," he smiled.

"So," said his dad changing the subject, "have you have you come across any interesting girls in your quest so far?"

Sokka's eyes lit up, "Well there's this girl, Suki. She's a Kyoshi warrior. I really like her…but sometimes we fight a lot. Anyways, I actually met when…"

And while Aang was on his way back to the Air Temple, and Toph was in Ba Sing Se, father and son continued talking about nearly everything under the sun until there time together came to an end.

Toph was on her way to check up on the Earth Kingdom's King when she came across two Kyoshi warriors. She was about to go up to them, until she realized that they weren't that at all. It was Ty Lee, and Mai. Toph hid behind one of the pillars and practically held her breath. She listened closely to what the two Fire Nation girls were saying.

"How much longer do we have to wear these ridiculous outfits? Their so heavy," complained Mai.

"Maybe that's why it was so easy defeating the Kyoshi warriors. Even their leader was weak."

'Suki' Toph thought thinking of Sokka. She listened harder.

"Yeah, I just can't believe Azula went as far as actually killing them. I mean, even for her that's pretty harsh," said Mai.

"I know, but she obviously had her reasons."

"I guess…" Mai and Ty Lee continued drawling on in useless conversation. Toph ran back to the spot where Aang had dropped her off. On her way she overheard Iroh and Zuko in one of the local Tea Shops. She ran even faster. Toph wasn't comfortable being in a place with so many Firebenders alone. Not to mention a place where wanted signs were plastered all over with her face on them. Her parents were still looking for her and Aang wouldn't be back for at least another hour. She was really starting to think coming here was a really bad idea.