Previously on The Air Bender Trust:
The boy smirked "They say she is a new breed of bender. She can bend both shadows and air.
They're just rumors though… No one has had the guts to find out."
"She is definitely an air bender" "How do you know?" "She has air bender tattoos."
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"I'm the last air bender and it's kind of depressing." Aang said sadly. "Being unique isn't a bad thing" Aang's eyes widened as he looked at Tari's arm.
Seeing the air bender tattoos on her.
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The Air Bender Trust
Chapter 3 – When water Dies
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Aang stared down at the tattoos in shock; it was one thing to hear it. It was another thing to see it.
The question is why would she hide something like this from him?
He wasn't the last air bender anymore, but what all could this new air bender do? She had to be a friend, right?
But, by the way she has been acting… is she the enemy?
-
He sat there for a few minutes until Tari's eyes opened lightly and she sat up slowly.
It took a minute before she noticed Aang sitting there.
When she did, she stared at him in horror then glanced at her sleeve. He reached out to her
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked "You're just like me…"
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They sat silent for what seemed like hours before Tari stood up "I have work to do." She said coldly and began walking out.
Aang got up, chasing after her "Wait!! Why were you hiding it from me?!?!"
He ran outside just in time to see her flying off on her glider.
Grabbing a nearby glider he took off after her into the clouds.
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The chase lasted for hours and they ended up at a small island. Tari landed on the beach,
running for the cover of the trees. Aang followed over the trees before dropping down in front of her
"Please, stop running. I'm not mad. I'm happy!" He exclaimed to her with a bright beaming smile.
In exchange for the smile he got a glare, "Stop. Stop trying to pretend that you want to be friends."
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"But I do want to be your friend!!" Aang lowered his head and bit his lip
"To tell the truth… You are more than a friend… You are the only other person who knows what it's like to be the last of a race."
Tari looked away "I'm nothing like the air benders were… I'm a monster…
The monk who raised me ended up dying being I couldn't control my power…"
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Aang listened quietly to Tari's story. "The fire nation found us and tried to kill him… I got mad…
the darkness surrounded everybody and when it was gone…." Tari clenched her fists and tried to hold back the tears
"…Everyone else was dead… because of me… Monk Holien told me never to use the shadows as they were of the devil… but I didn't listen…"
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He stepped closer and then embraced her in a hug "It's okay to cry sometimes, Tari…" He said with a sad tone.
Tari hugged Aang and just let the tears come. She had been running away from these feelings for a long time,
trying to forget her past. But now she realized that her past is a part of her that can't be left behind.
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After a few minutes she pulled back slightly and then put her lips to his in a gentle kiss.
He blushed a cute shade of pink before closing his eyes and hugging her tighter. When Tari pulled away she hugged
him once more "Thank you" Aang smiled softly "Don't mention it."
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When Aang got back to the temple it was raining. He made his way inside to find that Katara was surrounded by
sokka and the earth bending boy. Sokka looked up and panic could be seen on his face "Aang!!! Katara won't wake up!!!"
Tari had come in and ran to Katara's side right after Aang. Looking over the water bender she put
her hand on the girl's forehead "Soshi!! I need a bucket of cold water and a few washcloths!!!"
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The boy took off knowing to trust his buddy. She looked at Sokka "Get me some blankets!!" at her command the warrior left and it
was just Aang left. Katara opened her eyes lightly "hey… Aang……. I… I missed you…" he grabbed her hand and leaned in close
"I'm here, katara" He whispered as she squeezed his hand.
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Katara smiled sweetly at Aang "I… I've always… Wanted to… tell you… something…" She muttered in pain "I… I lo…"
Aang shook his head "Katara, don't give up! You're fine!" He looked up at Tari "she'll be fine, right Tari?"
He tried to smile but seeing the look on Tari's face made him shake his head "No… Tari… Do something!! Can't you help her?!"
Tari held herself together as she looked straight at him "She's dying…"
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Aang looked at Katara "You're gonna be okay!! You saved me right? Isn't that good for anything?!"
Tears began slowly rolling down Aang's cheeks. Katara weakly reached up and wiped a tear away
"Aang… I.. I love… you… Take care… of… sokka……."
Her hand fell from his face limply and hit the floor below. "No…. Katara… Katara!!! You can't!!! You can't die on me!!!"
the tears were now streaming down his face as he began sobbing over Katara's lifeless body.
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"Why?! Why did you die on me?!?! KATARA!!!!" He screamed out in agony "This wasn't supposed to happen!!!
You were supposed to help me defeat the firelord. We were going to do it together!!! WAKE UP!!!
Please.... we need you... I need you... Katara... come back..." He looked at Tari
"Why did she die? She was just fine when we left!!" Tari stared at him, unsure of how to put her thoughts to words.
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Aang sat on the edge of the roof, letting the rain soak him. He stared out at the dull rain
not sure of what he feels. Tari walked over and sat next to him "She was bit by a
Poisonous Spider Snake… I'm so sorry…" She put her arms around him before pulling away and leaving.
Aang sniffled and lowered his head "Come... back... katara..."