Avatar: The Last Airbender is not mine. Alas.


Training Day

"Now remember young Aang, Appa is just as new at this as you are, so don't be disappointed when he doesn't fly," Monk Gyatso gently reminded.

The excitable boy monk wasn't listening, however. "Oh boy, flying! Oh boy oh boy ohboyohboyohboy!"

They arrived at the airbison paddock. The gentle gargantuan beasts were everywhere: soaring through the air, lolling on the lush hillsides, feasting at the feed mangers. "Which one is mine, Monk Gyatso?" Aang asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

Monk Gyatso frowned. "We went over this Aang. The Animal Guardian is not 'yours.' He's not a possession. He will be your partner, your protector, your confidant, and most importantly, your friend."

"Yeahyeahyeahokayokayokay! Appa! APPA ARE YOU HERE?" Aang yelled.

Monk Gyatso fished a delicate-looking whistle from a pocket. "If Appa isn't in range to hear you, you must use this," he said, and handed the little ivory instrument to his protégé.

Aang snatched the whistle eagerly and blew with all his might. Disappointed when no sound came, he whined, "Aww…it's busted."

Just then, a large shadow swooped overhead. "Woooow," Aang marveled as the bison touched down.

He wasn't as large as the other bison, as he wasn't full grown yet. Roughly the size and weight of a fishing boat, he was still magnificent.

"Appa, this is Aang, the Avatar. Aang, Appa." Monk Gyatso introduced.

Appa lowed in greeting and was astonished when the boy leapt onto his head and tugged one huge ear. "Hey Appa! LET'S FLY!"

The bison growled and looked at Monk Gyatso. The old man chuckled. "I told you he was a handful. I'll leave you two to get acquainted."

As soon as Gyatso left, Appa decided there would be no way he would just roll over and let this rambunctious scrap take charge. For the next hour, no matter how Aang pleaded and prodded, bounced and bribed, Appa refused to budge. When the boy finally found the reins and pulled on those instead, Appa rose up on two legs as if he were preparing for takeoff.

"YEAH! WOO! That's what I'm talking about!" Aang cheered.

Appa slumped back down. He rolled over with a loud snuffle. The little whippersnapper wasn't too bad, actually. The bison was enjoying the game.

Aang however, was becoming less and less amused. He slouched and draped himself on his steed's furry crown. "Man," he complained, "This sucks. Monk Gyatso was right…we don't know how to fly."

Two furred ears swiveled towards the boy. Don't know how to fly? Excuse you!

Aang continued dejectedly, "What, was there some magic word I'm supposed to know? They always expect me to know something just because I'm the Avatar. Geez! How am I supposed to remember? 'Giddyup' doesn't work. What if it's some random word, like 'Pandadog' or, I dunno, 'yipyip'?"

Appa shot into the air as if catapulted. I'll show you who can fly.

"YAAAA!" Aang screamed, hanging on for dear life. "Whoaaa! 'Yipyip'? That was the secret word! AAAAAGH!"

A/N: Actually Aang, the secret word was "please." But it's okay. Yours is a helluva lot catchier.