So, I'll be focused on this story because I want to get the solstice episodes up on the Winter Solstice. So, this is a really long chapter, I really need to learn how to write chapters for this kind of story =-= anyways...enjoy!
AnnaAza: Hm. I wonder too, lol.
Danielle Salvatore: If you think this chapter was interesting wait until I get into better episodes, like the kissing bandit...oh wait...Katara's not in that one XD
CatDawg14: Thanks!
LoveHurtsEver: hehe, not yet darling, be patient.
WritersWand
Opposites Attract
Chapter 6
The Southern Air Temple
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The warriors of Kyoshi
*Sokka's POV: Third Person*
"Just wait until you see the Southern Air Temple Sokka, I know a lot of things can change in 100 years but I have to see for myself-Sokka?" Aang looked up confused as he jumped off of Appa. "Sokka! It's time to wake up!"
"Temple later, sleep now," Sokka mumbled rolling over in his sleeping sack.
Aang grabbed a stick from the ground and ran it against Sokka. "There's a prickle snake in your sleeping sack!"
Sokka screamed and jumped up, Aang fell to the ground in a fit of laughter. Sokka mumbled to himself as he hopped away still in his sleeping sack
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*Katara's POV*Uncle Iroh, Zuko, and I walked off of Zuko's ship.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible, I don't want to be here too long," Zuko said.
Uncle opened his mouth to speak but Zuko interrupted him:
"Don't say his name! If anyone finds out he's here everyone will be after him! I don't want anyone in the way,"
Get rid of any competition, I thought, smirking to myself a little.
"Get in the way of what?" a monkey faced man said walking up.
"None of your business!" I snapped.
"Zhou," Uncle nodded. "We're getting our ship repaired,"
Zhou raised an eyebrow at the ship's destruction. "And how did this happen?"
"…You tell him Uncle…" Zuko trailed softly.
Uncle nodded. "Uh…" he turned to Zuko."Did we crash or something?"
"Yeah, into an Earth Kingdom ship," Zuko said.
Zhou nodded. "Let's go into my quarters and talk over tea,"
Zuko's eyes narrowed. "We have to leave soon," he said grinding his teeth.
"No nephew, never refuse an offering of tea," Uncle said patting his shoulder.
We began to walk towards the Monkey faced Commanders tent. Iroh walked behind him. "Hopefully you have Zhen Shen Tea?" he asked.
Zuko leaned over to me. "You could stay here you know,"
I shook my head. "I am coming Zuko,"
*Sokka's POV; Third Person*
They rode on Appa as Sokka's stomach growled. He searched through his bag,
"Where's my food?" he asked Aang.
"Uh…I thought it was fire fuel…" Aang said meekly.
"That's why the flames smelled so good," Sokka mumbled.
When the two reached the mountain Sokka followed behind Aang, shoulders slouched and very grumpy. He didn't care about anything except that he was hungry and he wanted meat.
When they reached the top Aang seemed disappointed.
"What's wrong?" Sokka asked not really caring.
"I just thought there would be more people, air temples are always bustling, like kids playing airball," Aang said sadly.
"Hm, airball, how do you play?" Sokka asked trying to make the boy feel better.
Aang's eyes lit up.
Sokka slammed into a wall with a groan. Mental note, never play airball again. Sokka was rubbing his aching head when he saw something that made his eyes widen- a fire bender's helmet.
"Aang, come here, I have something to show-" Sokka began before Aang spoke.
"Yay! I won!" he cried jumping up into the air and falling back down on the foot of the cliff causing the snow under him to fall and bury the helmet. Aang drifted down to Sokka.
"You say something?"
Sokka sighed and shook his head. Karma.
They walked through the temple for a while until they came to a statue of an old man sitting cross-legged. Aang explained something and Sokka only half listened. When Sokka actually looked over at the boy he realized that he was daydreaming.
"Aang, snap out of it," he said waving his hand in front of Aang's face.
Aang shook his head. "I'm ready," he said entering the building.
Sokka followed him, a little confused. Soon enough the hallway led to a grand door with big light blue swirls on it.
"There's someone I need to meet in here," Aang said.
Sokka's eyes widened. "Maybe they have food!" he ran up to the door and tried to push it open. It failed so he turned to Aang. "You wouldn't have a key would you?" he asked.
Aang shook his head smiling. "Sokka, the key is airbending," the airbender sucked in a huge gasp of air and blew it out at the doors, they all pushed over in a steady melody and the door opened.
"Good job Air head!" Sokka beamed as they ran in. When they entered their jaws dropped, but for different reasons. Aang walked to the millions of statues, trying to figure something out as it appeared. Sokka frowned, in a room this big there had to be food, but there wasn't. While Aang paced around Sokka stood where he was, arms crossed, annoyed. Then suddenly there was a crash behind them. Both boys jumped and dived for the cover of a tall statue. Their eyes widened at the upcoming shadow.
"Fire bender," Sokka breathed. "He won't know what hit him,"
As they jumped up they came face to face with a small, big eared creature.
"Flying lemur!" Aang cried at the same time Sokka cried: "Meat!"
They both jumped in unison and lunged at it. It's large eyes widened and it ran away. They charged after it, when it spread its wings to go faster Aang bended an air scooter and rode on it.
"Cheater!" Sokka cried.
Aang laughed. They emerged outside and the lemur dived over the cliff, Aang followed it doing the same. Sokka stopped at the edge, balancing himself by waving his arms for a moment.
"Not fair!" he cried starting to climb down.
When Sokka reached the bottom he was panting and sweating heavily. That was my workout for the day, he thought. He made his way over to a large white tent.
"You find my dinner yet?" he asked walking in. He noticed Aang kneeling on the ground sulking. Sokka walked over to him.
"You know I wasn't really going to eat it right?" he asked. Sokka looked around. "Oh no,"
Scorched marks and fire nation remains littered the ground, and a Skeleton of the airbender from before lay before Aang.
Aang stood up and turned around, eyes and tattoos glowing a bright blue. He rose up, a tornado forming around him. Sokka stumbled backwards out of the way. What was he supposed to do? He knew he had to stop this but how? He bit his lip.
"Aang! Stop!" He screamed. The boy didn't make any response whatsoever. Stupid Avatar. Then he remembered something.
"AANG! WHAT WOULD GIATSO THINK!" he screamed over the wind.
Aang seemed to freeze as the wind faded and Aang began to fall. Sokka ran over to him and caught him in his arms so he wouldn't get hurt.
Aang's eyes fluttered. "T-thanks Sokka,"
"Welcome," he said dropping Aang to the ground.
Aang jumped up. "Really, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't know what would have happened,"
There was awkward silence after that.
Then Sokka spoke. "Aang, I know all your friends and family were murdered, but it's not all gone, we're your family, Appa and me I mean,"
Aang nodded and grinned. Then his eyes lit up at something behind Sokka. "Momo!"
Sokka turned around. "That's meat's name?"
Aang nodded. "I named him, now he's part of the family,"
Sokka groaned. "Great, more pets,"
Katara's POV*Uncle Iroh and I sat at a small table, Zuko stood behind us as Zhou stood in front of a map as he explained so war or conquering tactic that I found confusing and ruthless. My tea cup sat on the table untouched as Iroh drank his. As Zuko and Zhou spoke Uncle Iroh got up and wandered around the tent. He bumped into something causing it to fall.
"Sorry," he said meekly.
"Prince Zuko, if you have any ounce of loyalty left you would tell me if you know anything about the Avatar," Zhou asked.
Zuko paused. "I don't, like you said, he's probably dead,"
Zhou sighed as they began to talk once again. They stopped when a handful of Zhou's soldiers burst in.
"Commander! Zuko's men told us under interrogation that he had the Avatar under captivity but he let him escape!" they informed Zhou.
Zuko lost control and kicked the table that Uncle Iroh-he sat back down-and I sat at causing it to fall and the tea to spill.
"More tea please," Uncle Iroh beamed trying to be optimistic.
Zhou walked back into the tent where the three of us sat in chairs, guarded.
"My ships are nearly ready, once we set off you will be allowed to go," he informed us.
"Why? Are you afraid we will get to him before you? Cause I will," Zuko scowled.
Zhou laughed. "I have dozens of fleets at my command, while your just a banished prince whose father does not even love him, all you have is a retired general and a traitor,"
"Hey!" I snapped springing up.
Zhou ignored me. I pursed my lips together and sat back down. I wanted water real bad right now.
"Your wrong, Once I bring him the Avatar he will restore my honor and return me to my rightful throne," Zuko said, his voice quavering.
"If your father really wanted you back he would have you back, Avatar or no Avatar," Zhou taunted him. "Face it, your father see's you as a disgrace, you have that scar for proof,"
Zuko sprang up. "Maybe you'll want one to match!" he spat in the commanders monkey shaped face.
"Are you challenging me?"
"Yes! Agni Kai! Tonight!"
"Alright," he said leaving, probably to get ready.
Uncle Iroh stood up. "Zuko, do you remember the last time you challenged a master?"
Zuko nodded. "I remember perfectly,"
"Remember Zuko, your basics," Iroh told Zuko.
We stood at the side of the arena as Zuko and Zhou got ready to fight.
"I won't let him win," Zuko said.
The fight began.
"This will be over quick," Zhou mused.
They faced off. Zuko unleashed a fury of attacks with Zhou on the defensive. Their abdominal and arm muscles glimmered with sweat already. Probably from the heat and the work out. Then Zhou began using his own moves. It was quite scary actually. All the fire…it was so dangerous and hurtful, not like water, which was pleasant and healing, most of the time. Zuko had to switch to defensive.
"The basics Zuko! Make him lose his root!" Uncle Iroh coasted him.
Zhou got Zuko to the ground as my eyes widened, fearing for Zuko. Then Zuko did some amazing footing and the prince got the commander on the ground.
"Do it," Zhou spat.
Zuko unleashed a stream of fire and I closed my eyes.
I opened them and saw a scorched mark on the ground next to Zhou's head.
Zuko missed. Purposely.
"Your father raised a coward," Zhou spat.
"I swear, next time you cross me I won't hesitate," Zuko warned him turning away.
He started walking away when Zhou jumped up and unleashed fire at Zuko while his back was turned. Uncle ran up and directed the fire away from them.
Zuko scowled and turned back angrily.
I ran up to Zuko and held his arms to keep him back. "No fire Zuko," I whispered in his ear.
Zhou laughed. "The Prince needs his little girlfriend to hold him back,"
Zuko scowled.
"So this is how Commander Zhou acts under defeat, Tsk. Disgraceful. My nephew acts more honorable under banishment," Iroh said before we left. "Thank you for the tea, it was delicious," he added.
"Did you really mean that Uncle?" Zuko asked after we were out.
"Yes, haven't I told you I really love Zhen Shen Tea?"
The Warriors of Kyoshi
*Katara's POV*
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I knelt bored next to the table where Zuko meditated, candles were on the table, the flames steady as Zuko controlled his breathing. I like when Zuko was this way, it was nice, calm, but I have to admit, it was pretty boring. I looked over when I saw the door creak open and Uncle Iroh's head peek in. He opened the door just enough so her could slip through.
"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news on the Avatar," Zuko said softly.
"I do have news but I'm not sure if you'll like it,"
Zuko sighed. "You once told me keeping a level head was a sign on a great leader, tell me, I promise I can take it,"
"OK. We have no idea where he is,"
The flames burst, spreading out as Zuko jumped up. "What?" he yelled.
"So much for that," I mumbled.
Iroh held out a map about to speak.
"Let me see that!" Zuko snapped grabbing the map from his uncle.
Waving his fan in front of his face Uncle spoke. "He's impossible to track down,"
"How am I supposed to find him Uncle? He's obviously is a master of evasive maneuvering,"
I sighed, leaning in to see the map. "Maybe he's looking for something," I suggested. Ha, a bit of feminine influence goes a long way.
*Sokka's POV: Third Person*
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"You have no idea where your going do you?" Sokka asked, looking at a map.
"Well I know it's near water," Aang said looking back from where he sat steering Appa. Momo sat on his shoulder.
Sokka looked out at the endless ocean surrounding them. "I guess we're getting close then,"
Aang received something from Momo and turned to face Sokka better. "Look Sokka!" he cried doing some airbending move.
"Cool," Sokka mumbled.
"You didn't even look!"
"Whatever," Sokka shrugged.
Aang landed Appa on some random island in the middle of nowhere.
Sokka groaned. "We just made a pit stop yesterday; shouldn't we get some more flying in before we set up camp? At this rate we won't get to the North Pole until spring,"
"But Appa's tired already, right Appa?" Aang asked nudging Appa. Appa let out a loud yawn, fake of course.
"Yeah, very convincing, but it's better not to argue with a ten times magical monster,"
Aang's eyes lit up as he gasped. "This is why we're here! The elephant koi!" Aang said pointing to a giant fish that leapt out of the water. "And I'm going to ride it," he said stripping to his underwear. He dived into the sea and jumped three feet in the air. "Cold!" he shrieked. Sokka rolled his eyes. Aang jumped on a fish. He laughed and waved at them. Sokka stood with his arms crossed, unimpressed. Momo jumped up and down waving his arms. Seriously? The fish was doing all the work!
Suddenly a huge shadow started following Aang's fish. Sokka's eyes widened. Something was in the water. Aang was in trouble.
"Aang you have to get out of there!" Sokka screamed, waving his arms.
Aang took it as praise, laughed and waved. Idiot! The fish flipped Aang off its back and into the water. This is where Aang noticed the black sea monster. Aang screamed and jumped up, running on top of water to shore. The monster splashed and Aang went sprawling into a tree.
"I'm fine!" Aang cried, jumping up and pulling on his clothes.
"Ok! It's time to go now!" Sokka said rubbing his hands together. Somebody grabbed them and everything went black as they were tied up and blind folded.
"Or we could stay a while," Sokka squeaked.
"You have some explaining to do," An elderly masculine voice said.
"And if you don't answer all of our questions we're throwing you back into the water with the Unagi," a strong, youthful, feminine voice said.
"Show yourself cowards!" Sokka cried.
The blindfolds were ripped off and Sokka looked around.
"Who are you? Where are the men that ambushed us?" Sokka demanded.
"There were no men! We ambushed you!" said the girl from before, she was about Sokka's age and pointed at them furiously. "Now tell us, who are you and what are you doing here?"
Sokka realized they were tied to a pole. He leaned forward. "wait a minute, there is no way a bunch of girls ambushed us," Sokka grinned looking back at Aang.
The leader girl walked forward and grabbed Sokka's collar. "A bunch of girl's huh? The Unagi's eating well tonight!" she spat.
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have came here, I just wanted to ride the elephant koi," Aang said sullenly.
"How do we know you're not fire nation spies!" the old man from before demanded. "Kyoshi stayed out of the war so far, and we intend to keep it that way,"
Aang's eyes lit up. "This islands named after Kyoshi? I know Kyoshi!"
"Ha! How could you possibly know Kyoshi? She was born here 400 years ago, she's been dead for centuries!"
"I know her because I'm the Avatar," Aang said looking down.
"That's impossible, the Avatar was an airbender that disappeared a 100 years ago," the girl said.
"That's me!" Aang said brightly.
"Throw the imposters to the Unagi!" the old man ordered.
The girl's approached them, drawing their fans.
"Aang do some airbending," Sokka said out of the corner of his mouth.
Aang leapt out of the ropes, over the statue of Kyoshi and to the ground. The crowd gasped.
"It's true, you are the Avatar," the old man breathed.
"Yeah! Now check this out!" Aang said doing that airbending trick from before. The crowd cheered and Sokka rolled his eyes.
*Katara's POV*
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Iroh, Zuko, and I sat around a small table for dinner. As the waiter set the fish down he said something to Zuko softly that I didn't quite catch,
"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island!" Zuko cried standing up. He turned to Iroh. "Uncle! Ready the Rhinos! He isn't getting away from me this time," Zuko muttered walking away.
"You going to finish that?" Iroh asked pointing to Zuko's fish.
"I was going to save it for later!" Zuko snapped grabbing the plate.
Iroh crossed his arms stubbornly.
"What about me?" I asked sweetly.
Zuko looked at me for a moment."No," Zuko said before leaving.
I copied Uncle Iroh's position.
*Sokka's POV: Third Person*
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Sokka, Momo, and Aang sat around a table filled with food.
"Awesome! Desert for breakfast! These people really know how to treat an Avatar!" Aang cried digging in. He looked over at Sokka. "Sokka what's your problem? Eat!"
"Not hungry," Sokka mumbled.
"But you're always hungry!"
There was awkward silence after that.
"Because some girls kicked your butt?" Aang asked.
"They sneaked up on me!"
"And then they kicked your butt,"
Sokka stood up, unfolding his crossed arms. "Sneak attacks don't count!" he stomped away muttering to himself. "I'm not scared of any girls!" He ran back and gathered an armful of food. He walked away eating and mumbling to himself. "Hm, this is tasty, who do they think they are anyways," Sokka said biting into a doughnut.
Sokka walked over to a small building and poked his head in and saw the girl's practicing. He walked in.
"Sorry ladies for interrupting your dance lesson but I was looking for a place to work out?" Sokka asked flexing his arm muscles.
"Well you came to the right place, I'm sorry about yesterday, we didn't know you were friends with the Avatar," the leader girl said.
"It's okay, normally I would hold a grudge but since you're a bunch of girls I'll make an exception," Sokka said still flexing his minimal amount of muscle mass.
"I would hope so, against a big strong man like you, we wouldn't stand a chance,"
"True, but don't feel so bad, I'm the best warrior in my village,"
"Best warrior? I don't suppose you could teach us some moves?"
"Uh…"
"Right girls?" the leader asked her friends. They giggled.
"I'll be happy too," Sokka said.
After a brisk beating Sokka gave up. Those girls were stronger than he thought. He had left but decided to come back. Suki was insulted at first and didn't want to teach a boy but she gave in to his begging and apologizing. He had to wear the warriors uniform, it was a dress but he felt proud…until Aang passed by and saw him.
"Nice dress Sokka," he said poking his head in before leaving.
Sokka groaned. The girl's left and it was just him and Suki. Sokka was learning a new style all over again.
Suki was kicking his butt—wait! He got her to the ground. She scowled as Sokka got cocky. Suki grinned and showed him, it was a so called lucky shot apparently. But Sokka was approving.
*Katara's POV*
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I stood on the top deck watching the water wide eyed. A sea creature was spasing in the water, and heading straight for a boy. Without thinking I dived in and used my water bending to get to the boy faster and get him out to the water. I pulled him to a cluster of rocks. I laid him down on his back. I gasped. The Avatar!
Zuko was going by on the Rhinos. I held him close so he wouldn't be spotted.
"Wake up!" I said shaking him. When he didn't I bended the water out of his mouth. He cough and sputtered before opening his eyes.
"You! …uh…Don't ride the Unagi, not fun,"
These female warriors attacked Zuko's men as I helped the children get to safety.
"Your little girls can't protect you Avatar," I heard Zuko say before Aang started fighting him. When the Avatar had taken care of Zuko I saw him take to the skies on his flying device, to survey the damage done would be my best guess. He didn't have time.
When he landed I grabbed his hand and ran to the flying beast that a little lemur was on and Sokka was scrambling on. The beast flew up and Zuko shot orders to leave.
Sokka didn't recognize me so I said nothing when he looked at me funny.
Aang looked at the town sadly before jumping off. Sokka and I looked over the edge and saw Aang using the Unagi to put out the fire. He flew back up and landed next to me.
"I knew that was stupid," Aang sighed.
He looked over at me. "You can stay if you want,"
I looked over at Sokka sadly. He was my brother, but I couldn't betray Zuko like that. No Katara, he isn't your brother. But I hardly know Sokka. But he's family, Zuko isn't.
"I'm sorry," I said, looking as if it was too Aang but it was really to Sokka. I jumped in and landed softly in the water next to the ship. Water benders only get wet if they want to, I didn't want to.
*Slightly Earlier*
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Sokka and Suki knelt behind a building.
"I'm sorry Suki, I treated you like a girl when I should have treated you like a Warrior," Sokka whispered.
"I am a warrior, but I'm a girl too," she said kissing Sokka quickly before jumping up. "Now leave you blundering idiot before someone kicks your ass!" she exclaimed. "And that very well may be me!"
*Katara's POV*
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"Where have you been?" Zuko asked when he came back on the ship.
I was sitting with Uncle watching him play Pai Sho. "Here of course," I said looking pleadingly at Uncle.
Uncle winked at me. "Enjoying some tea and a quiet game of Pai Sho, which I am very well winning,"
"No! Your losing by a long shot!" I cried.
"Yeah, the little lady had quite the talent," Iroh said rolling his eyes.
Zuko sighed wearily and walked below deck.
Upcoming: The Kissing Bandit and Imprisoned
I renamed the King of Omashu episode.
