One year passed, and trouble never ends CHAPTER THREE Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the last airbender
It was nearing nine o'clock in the small village where Aang resided, everybody was indoors, preparing for the incoming storm. Aang had been the last one to head off. He had taken up the responsibility of putting away anything of value that could tarnish in the severe unpleasantly cold rain fall. Getting soaked in the process, Aang successfully covered the shacks with a long stiff sheet that could endure almost any element thrown at it.
Finished with the task, he dusted off his pants, removing any excess mud. "That should do it." he thought to himself.
Smiling, he walked towards where Appa was.
Finding Appa just as soak as he was, he snickered at his life long friend. Appa grunted, and without warning, he began to shake the water off. Water went everywhere, drenching Aang, head to toe.
Aang shook his head, laughing. Petting Appa's head, he said in between laughs "You haven't changed a bit."
When his laughter came to a halt, Aang used his air bending to dry himself off before getting on top of Appa. Secured on top of Appa, Aang exclaimed "Yip, yip!"
With those words, Appa jumped up into the sky and flew off.
With their house in view, Aang pulled back on the rope, bringing Appa in for a safe landing. Appa landed on the green grassy ground. Once Aang was off, Appa turned on his side but quickly stood on all six as he heard something.
"What is it, Appa?" asked Aang.
Of course Appa didn't say anything, anything English-wise that is.
Aang took out his staff, opening it, he commanded "I'm going to check it out. You stay here."
After searching, and not finding anything out of order, Aang returned. He shrugged.
"I didn't see anything, Appa." he whispered. "Hey, isn't that Hawky?"
A red feathered hawk sat perched on the edge of Appa's saddle. Carried on the bird's back was a message.
Getting closer, Aang nodded to himself. Yup, it was Hawky. Noticing the message on the bird's back, Aang took a hold of it. He carefully untied the blue ribbon, that he knew had to belong to Katara, he placed it in his pocket, for safe keeping of course. The letter opened, he read it to himself. Rolling the message back up, he placed it in his other pocket. He motioned to the bird to hold on a moment. The bird cawed in response but stayed put. Minutes later, Aang came out holding a different sheet of paper. He rolled it up, and gave it to Hawky.
"South Pole, to Sokka and Katara" Aang whispered to the bird. Hawky cawed and flew off, in the direction of the South Pole.
Aang walked towards to his furry friend. Smiling, he tossed him a slice of watermelon; which Appa ate with much gusto. Aang sat down next to Appa. Resting his head on his furry friend's side, he sighed. "Appa, how do you feel about going up to the South Pole?"
Appa made a sound, which in Appa's language meant "South Pole? The cold place?"
Aang nodded against his friend's side. "Yeah, that's the place. Sokka and Katara will be there."
Cutting down to the chase, Appa questioned "What is the reason for heading there?"
"They need you for a task I gave them. Appa, what do you say?" he asked sitting up.
Turning over to stand on his six legs, Appa gave a slight shrugged. "Alright, as long as they feed me."
Aang laughed. Petting his friend, he exclaimed "Of course they'll feed you."
Appa laid back down, and shut his eyes, tired.
Aang rested his head against Appa, his eyes drooping shut. Yawning, he whispered "We'll go-yawn-first thing in the morning"
Author's note: Please review. No flames. What did you think?