Author's Note: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or anything related to it. I do, however, own my characters. If you steal them or borrow them without my "Yes." I will hunt you down. Thank you for your time. Oh, and if you do not like this, you don't have to read it! I will not force you or beg you.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Twilight Rose Alchemist and to Sayko. Both are my buddies, sister-figures, and great people to talk to. This story is for you guys! And to my: readers, reviewers (Firework and Typewriterman especially), and friends.
-Lightning and Earth-
Avatar Artymis opened her eyes. She was lying down on her side. She slowly sat up and took a look around her surroundings. It looked like the deserted village she was in when she was fighting Princess Azula. Artymis rose to her feet and straighten up. Her hair was out of it's usual low ponytail and her feet were bare. The young Airbender took small steps while glancing in every direction. She felt herself step into something soft. Artymis looked down to see cool green grass all around her.
How strange, she thought. I came to a grass plain from a deserted village in the desert.
She could see trees, small and tall, out in the distance. It seemed like a peaceful paradise with a soft breeze and a baby blue sky. Artymis made a small smile and twirled around in the grass. She lifted her arms over her head and continued twirling around. She stopped when she started getting to get dizzy. She still had the smile on her face. Artymis opened her eyes and whirled around. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Avatar Kyoshi herself standing a few feet away from her. The young Avatar gasped and her legs turned to jelly that she nearly fell down.
"L-Lady Kyoshi!" Artymis managed to say through her shock.
Avatar Kyoshi made a light and respectful bow to the younger Avatar.
Artymis, out of respect, returned the bow.
"Avatar Artymis," Kyoshi said, straightening up. "Your time to bend the element Earth has come. You must know that the Earth is stubborn, hard, and strong." She kept her eyes on Artymis. "My element will be difficult though, so do not take the Earth lightly as the Air and the Water."
Artymis nodded, understanding what the older Avatar meant.
"Also," Kyoshi continued. "You must perform the Eternal Dance."
"The Eternal Dance of every element?" Artymis asked, "When do I dance?"
"When the time comes." The older Avatar answered.
Feeling something move beneath her feet, Artymis glanced down and saw rocks - big and small - circle around her in different circles. The Airbender's eyes followed the circle of rocks around her to the next circle outside it, then the next one, and the next. There was four circles of rocks. Four circles. Four elements.
Artymis looked up to Lady Kyoshi. "Is this where...?"
The Avatar nodded, "Yes." Lady Kyoshi leaned forward and press a light kiss on Artymis' forehead. Again, a sign of motherly love that the younger Avatar never received. "Farewell for now, Lady Artymis." She whispered, pulling away. (Dream Ends)
Artymis opened her eyes. She blinked for a few seconds before sitting up from her sleeping bag. She looked around herself. There was no green grass or trees, or the four rock circles - there was just dirt, rocks, and come cliffs. Artymis breathed from relief. She firmly began massaging her the sides of her forehead. It had been two days since hers and the others' conflict with Azula and her team along with Zuko and Iroh. The thought of Zuko made the Airbender stop what she was doing. She breathed heavily and let out a heavy sigh from herself. She brought her knees closer to her chest and buried her face in her arms.
Zuko. He still had her confused since, well, two days ago. He didn't want her close and he didn't want her help. Artymis didn't understand why. All she wanted to do was help. Was that a bad thing to do? The fifteen-year-old didn't know and she didn't want to answer it really. Artymis lifted her face from her arms and looked up to the sky as the sun took it's first peak. She breathed again.
Artymis got up and rolled up her sleeping bag. She glanced over to the others. Appa was sleeping peacefully and heavily. Anduril was curled beside her, sleeping like a baby. Katara and Sokka were in their dreamlands. And Toph, she was nowhere in sight so that only meant she was still in her earth tent.
The Airbender set her sleeping bag aside and pulled on her white boots. She pulled her hair into a low but tight ponytail and straighten her necklaces out. Artymis took one step forward and the other in a pirouette. She stopped the spin on her other foot. After that, she sighed from the feeling of boredom. Oh gosh, I'm bored. She started skipping around in circles. She did this for a few minutes.
You keep doing that, everyone will think you're crazy.
Artymis stopped skipping and looked over her shoulder towards Anduril, who looked amused. They'll think telepathic talk is crazy, she commented.
Anduril made a low chuckle, I suppose you're right.
As always, she told him and continued skipping.
"Stop skipping."
Artymis felt the earth beneath her foot rise. Her arms flew around while she tried to gain balance. But, the earth shot up on her remaining balanced foot that caused the Airbender to fall on her back. "Ow." She muttered lowly.
"I told you to stop skipping." Toph came up to her. She offered her her hand.
Artymis took it and was helped to her feet. She dusted herself off and looked at Toph, "You're up early. Why's that?"
"Today is the day you're gonna learn earthbending!" Toph gave Artymis a playful punch on her arm.
A smile came upon the Airbender's face, "Oh yeah, huh?"
"What does a guy have to do to get some sleep around here?!" Sokka's muffled yell attracted the two benders' attention. The warrior lifted his head up from his sleeping bag and narrowed his blue eyes at the two girls. "Can't you all be quiet?!"
"Yeah," Katara grumbled from her sleep. "Keep it down." She lifted her tired face up.
Artymis chuckled nervously, "Sorry about that."
"Well, since you guys are already up, Art and I will start training now." Toph turned her back to them and started walking further away from their camp a bit, "Have a good sleep." She called out.
"Does she really expect us to sleep through all your swish, crash, and boom?" Sokka asked out loud, sitting up.
"I guess?" Artymis said doubtfully, "Maybe you can? I don't know!" She threw her arms up in the air.
"Well, we might as well start the day since we're up." Katara said, rising to her feet.
Sokka groaned and dropped flat-face on his sleeping bag, "Do we have to?" He asked.
Katara shook her head as she packed her sleeping bag up, "Yes, we do. Now get up." She looked at Artymis and sighed heavily. She opened her eyes and both she and Artymis laughed.
"ART!" Toph's angry and impatient voice shouted.
Artymis winced and smiled uneasily. "I guess I better go," She muttered.
"Yeah, you should." Katara warned, "Otherwise, she'll unleash a lot of earthbending on you."
"Ha ha ha," Artymis chuckled nervously. She ran to Toph and jumped on the spot. "Sorry!" She apologized, pushing a lock of hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ear.
Toph shook her head, "First rule: you gotta be serious about earthbending. If you're serious about this, you'll be right on time. You gotta have the pace, the skills, the strength, and the brains to do this. It's no game." She explained sternly.
Artymis blinked. She had no idea that Toph could suddenly mature in seconds from a twelve-year-old to an old man. She talked like she was much older than the Airbender. Artymis couldn't help but kind of laugh. She her fingers against her lips to muffle it. Unfortunately, Toph's ear were highly trained so she heard the muffled laugh.
"What are you laughing at now?" The Earthbender snapped with a hard voice.
Artymis straighten up and wiped the smile off her face. "N-Nothing." She answered quickly. Boy, she gets mean. It reminds me of that one Monk back at the Air Temples.
Be prepared, Anduril advised. Apparently, Toph likes to have things done quick.
Artymis gulped. She knew Toph could be rough, but not that rough.
Zuko made tea for Uncle Iroh. Well, he tried to make it the way his uncle liked. Iroh slept on, and Zuko served two cups of tea. He then stared into space. He silently recalled yesterday's events. As he thought of the female Airbender, his hands on his lower thighs balled into fists. His cheeks grew hard and he shut his eyes. Mentally, he kicked himself.
An image of the look in her green eyes brought more weight to him. The way she cried silently in front of him pained him. Zuko wished he could've said anything besides "Go!" Maybe if he said, "I love you. But it's for the best." That would've probably work a little better. Zuko groaned. That would only make matters worse if not make them better.
"I hate myself," He muttered to himself.
"Hating yourself only brings more weight on her shoulders," A tired old voice said. Zuko immediately looked up to see Uncle Iroh struggling to sit up. Surprisingly, he did and glanced at the visible bandages around the wound that were wrapped around the wound his niece had made. Iroh looked up to see his nephew. "Do not hate yourself. It is another way to walk down on the road of despair."
"Uncle," Zuko felt relief that he was still alive. "How are you feeling?" He asked while getting up and walking to Iroh.
"I'm - " Iroh shut his eyes in pain and lightly press his hand on the wound. He struggled to finish his sentence, " - fine."
Zuko lifted a cup of tea to his uncle, "I made tea for you, Uncle. I hope I made it the way you like it."
Iroh smiled. He took the cup and lifted it to his lips. He took a sip and regretted it. The tea tasted awful! Iroh wished he could spit it back out, but he noticed his nephew was watching. The retired general knew Zuko had to go though some trouble to make it, when he really didn't have to. Iroh swallowed the nasty tea. He lowered the tea cup and gave Zuko a smile. "Excellent tea, my nephew."
Zuko didn't smile, but he did fell a little joy when he found out that he made his uncle's tea the right way. He held his tea cup, but didn't bother drinking it. "Uncle, I've been thinking a lot lately." He confessed.
At this, Iroh had a feeling Zuko would leave again like he had before. He kept his weary old golden eyes on the young Firebender.
"If I meet up with Azula again, I'll need to be better prepared." Zuko pointed out, "So, I'll need to learn advanced firebending techniques. I need to learn this uncle, because I want to protect..." His voice drifted off. Zuko looked up to his uncle and at his wound.
"I understand what you're saying," Iroh said.
"I know, I know." Zuko sighed, "Azula is my baby sister and I need to show her that I love her and I want to get along with her." He nearly rolled his eyes.
"Azula is crazy and she needs to go down whether or not she's your baby sister." Iroh said, surprising Zuko.
"What?" The prince asked, looking at his uncle in shock.
"I'm serious," Iroh placed his tea cup down. He got up with some struggle. He gazed down at his nephew with a serious expression on his face, "It is time to resume your training, Prince Zuko."
Zuko got up and began thinking as he and uncle walked outside the little house they used for shelter. Zuko began thinking as he stood in stance across from his uncle. He failed to protect his own uncle. He had abandon him and he wasn't there. He let Azula attack him without a fight. The young Firebender narrowed his eyes and rose his arms. But from now on, he wouldn't do that. He would do everything to protect Uncle Iroh, and Artymis.
Artymis dropped to the ground, breathing hard. Her dark hair fell on her shoulders as she stared hard at the dirt ground she hovered over. She struggled to get to her feet. She turned around to Toph and breathed heavily. Toph wanted to spar with her to see what she had and what she needed work on.
"Well, there's one thing I know you need to work on." Toph said coolly. There were hardly any scratches or bruises on her. She was perfectly in tacked.
"What's that?" Artymis asked, curious to know what it was.
"Everything." Toph answered.
Artymis groaned and hung her head. "Are you serious?" She mumbled.
"Yes," Toph nodded. She walked over to Artymis' side. She face forward and got into stance. "You got to be hard like a rock." Toph explained.
Artymis mimicked her stance, watching the instructor as if the young girl would turn on her.
"Look straight ahead!" Toph ordered. Artymis moved her face and eyes. Toph grinned and continued with a softer tone, "You have to become the rock in order to have a strong stance and be dominant to your opponents. It's to your advantage that you have the earth." Artymis concentrated on what Toph said, but the young Earthbender could easily feel her out of concentration. She pushed the older girl down to the ground. "You're not concentrating. You're not hard as a rock, Artymis." She sighed, "Time for the drills."
The drills had the perfect name. They made the Airbender change from her tired expression to a disgusted one. The first drill: avoid attacks blindfolded. That certain drill had Artymis' legs turn to jelly. She couldn't see at all, which didn't help for her that much.
"You gotta trust your ears rather than your eyes." Toph explained the purpose of the drill. "You'll get spoiled by your sight. A disadvantage in the real thing. You need to learn to hit the opponent in the general direction but also with timing. All this is possible by listening." Toph thus began tying a strip of long cloth around Artymis' eyes. Artymis felt the blindfold press against her eyes and tied strongly behind her head. She let out a breath. Toph stepped away and stood about ten yards in front of her. "Begin." Right after the last word left her lips, Toph punched forward towards the Airbender. "You gotta be quick on your feet!" She shouted.
Artymis did pretty good at avoiding the rocks, but no at attacking.
"You can't just avoid and avoid with no attack!" The Earthbender shouted.
This is a lot harder than I thought, Artymis thought and failed to hit directly at Toph.
"Keep it up!" Toph ordered, moving around and shooting in the general direction.
Artymis kept trying to attack Toph, but because she was always comfortable with her sight, she was more spoiled with it than she thought.
"That's it, for now." Toph said, pausing the attacks.
Artymis tore the blindfold from her head and glanced at Toph. "I'm guessing that I need a lot more training than I thought."
Toph nodded. "Yeah." She paused for a few seconds. "Give me twenty push-ups right now!"
Artymis slumped her shoulders. Push-ups was one thing she hated. Artymis got into push-up position and sighed. Twenty. That was a long number. "One!" Toph shouted. Artymis did one. "Two!" Another. "Three!" And the pattern continued until a complete set of twenty was done. "Now, twenty more! On the clock!" Artymis secretly groaned.
Katara looked on. She felt sorry for Art. Forty push-ups. Good thing I wasn't chosen as Avatar, the Waterbender thought. She glanced behind her shoulder over to Sokka.
"What are we having for lunch?" Katara asked.
Sokka stared up at the blue sky then down at her. "You know, I don't know."
Katara frowned. "Jeez, that's sounds delicious!" She scowled at him.
Sokka picked up his boomerang and threw it in the air. He caught it and slid it in his bag. "I'll go get something." He began walking away.
"Remember to get something that's not meat too!" Katara called after him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know!" Sokka yelled at her.
Katara watched him and shouted again, "Be back before the sun sets!"
Sokka stopped and turned around, "What are you? My mother?" He threw his arms in the air and continued his way.
Katara shook her head, "Sometimes, it seems like I am." She looked up at Anduril, who laid his head on the ground and watched his sister train. "You think Artymis will make it?" The Waterbender asked.
Anduril watched his sister fall from Toph's "baby" attack. Not a chance, he shook his head in disapproval.
Katara frowned. "That wasn't very supportive." She muttered.
It is, Anduril corrected. When she comes over tell her I said that, but don't tell her I told you to carry out my words. He closed his eyes and pretended to fall asleep.
Katara looked up to see Artymis walk over to her, looking all worn out. "How's it going?" Katara asked, flashing a forced grin.
Artymis sat beside her and shook her head. "Not so good." She leaned back. "I wish I knew earthbending, gosh! It's harder than waterbending!" She groaned, "Because I was of Air, the Earth is hard to control. Water was quicker for me because Air and Water are similar and help each other."
"But Earth?" Katara asked her.
Artymis shook her head and placed her hands over her heated cheeks. "Earth is difficult." She said.
"Well, Anduril and I were talking." Katara really didn't want to say it, but if Anduril said it was best for Artymis. Then, she guessed it would be.
"What did he say?" Artymis asked, her eyes distant.
"He said that..." Katara paused before saying quickly, "You don't have a chance!" She let her held breath out.
Artymis blinked in surprise and turn to Katara with a hurt expression, "He said that?" She asked, the hurt obvious in her voice.
Katara couldn't look at her, but she nodded.
Artymis side glanced at sleeping Anduril. She lowered her face in disappointment. He doesn't think I can do it, she thought. He honestly thinks I can't do it. Artymis was disappointed and sad that her own brother thought that. A thought entered her mind, Would Zuko think the same?
"Break is over!" Toph shouted.
Artymis groaned and looked at Katara, "Need to go now."
Katara nodded, "Alright. Good luck." She said with an encouraging smile.
Artymis didn't smile. See? Even Katara thinks I can't do it. She walked back to her instructor with heavy steps. Can I? she asked herself as she waited for the next drill.
Sokka hid in the bushes and took a peak at the small baby animal that he had already imagine as dinner. He licked his lips as if he could almost smell the meat cooking. It's so delicious! he thought. He narrowed his eyes though and got back to business. Once I caught him, I'll go get some veggies and fruit for Art. How can she not love meat?!
The warrior focused on the baby animal who was sitting down and looking around. He looked so sweet and innocent, but it wouldn't stop Sokka. He waited a few mores seconds for the right timing. He then suddenly gave out a warrior yell and jumped out of the bushes and focused on the baby animal who simply looked up at him. But what Sokka failed to notice, was that there was a hold small enough for him to get stuck. And he was falling right through that hold. Sokka blinked; his arms and legs were stuck. All he could move was his hands which weren't much help and his head. He stared right at the baby animal.
"You are so going to pay for this," He muttered.
The baby animal gave him a sweet look with his black eyes and gave a yawn.
Sokka sighed. "I guess you can't help me out of here, huh?" He asked the animal. The animal just stared at him. "I take that as a no."
Zuko was glad that he was going to resume his training. After long weeks of no training, it started to bug him. Zuko was at the top of a cliff with Uncle Iroh. The sun was high in the sky, probably around noon or a little past that. The prince focused back on his instructor and waited for instructions.
"First of all, you must control your emotions." Iroh began, "Your emotions can either help you lightningbend or get in the way of it. Check your emotions." He paused and continued, "You must know one thing about lightning: you don't control it. You direct it. You are a humble guide."
"Just guide it then?" Zuko asked.
Iroh nodded, "Yes. Now, stand in your stance." He ordered. He demonstrated his stance and Zuko mimicked. "Good. For starters, let's perform the arm movement." Iroh rose his hand up with his two forefingers pointed straight. He had his left hand down with the two forefingers pointed. He moved his arms with grace, but in slowly. Perhaps too slow in Zuko's opinion. "Now, for the lightning." Iroh muttered, repeating the arm movements from the beginning. A spark of blue flashed on his finger tips. In about three seconds, lightning flowed out of Iroh's fingertips like tears from eyes.
Zuko stared in wonder at the lightning. The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly tugged up. This was going to be very interesting. I can show Azula no never mess with me and to leave everyone close to me alone, he thought as he watched his uncle direct the lightning up towards the sky.
Toph wrapped the blindfold around Artymis' eyes. She tied it tightly in the back. "Your sight, as I had said before, will deceive you. So, if you trust the earth and your senses without your eyes, earthbending will be a little easier - though, I'm not saying it will be 100 easy. Heck! It won't be even 60 easier."
"Thanks for the encouragement." Artymis' dry sarcasm caused a hit in the head. "Ow!" She rubbed the back of her head, feeling the knot Toph tied. She had a bad feeling about this. The plan was this: Toph would go to the top of the cliff that faced her and knock down a large rock down to the Airbender. This, supposedly, was suppose to make Artymis feel confident without her eyes.
I use my eyes though for everything, she thought as she waited for Toph's call. I can't Waterbend without eyes. I can't Airbend without eyes. How can I Earthbend without my eyes? Slowly, Toph's marvelous earthbending came in mind. Then again, Toph used it without eyes. She trusted her senses and look where she is now. The best Earthbender that ever lived - besides Bumi. Thinking of Bumi reminded Artymis about the three jin he taught her: good jin, neutral jin, and bad jin. She took a deep breath. I need to wait and listen, right?
"Ready or not, here it comes!" Toph shouted down at Artymis. She punched the rock and down it went on the perfect slope.
Artymis rose her arms and hands out before her, palms facing outwards. She concentrated on hearing or feeling the rock coming down the slope. She felt it, the ground vibrated gently beneath her feet. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and felt herself shake slightly. She sucked in air and heard the rock come closer. Sudden thoughts of doubt entered in her mind:
What if I can't do it? What if I end up killing myself? What if something wrong happens? What am I suppose to do?!
The rock would be on her in three seconds. Though she knew it was a cowardly thing to do, she jumped out of the way and ended on the ground. Artymis ripped the blindfold from her eyes and breathed hard. She lifted her face to see Katara's worried one.
"Are you alright?" Katara asked. "What happened?"
"I got cold feet." Artymis confessed.
"What were you thinking?!" Toph's angry voice made Artymis jump.
Artymis straighten up and sat on her heels. She looked up to her instructor. Toph marched over her and her footsteps probably only explained half of her anger. "I can't trust myself to do it." Artymis answered her question.
Toph stopped in front of her. "You didn't trust yourself - " She pointed an accusing finger at her, " - Porcelain Doll!"
Artymis blinked in surprise at the name. "Excuse me?" She asked. "Porcelain Doll? Why couldn't I get stuck with Sugar Queen or something!"
"Because Katara is Sugar Queen!" Toph pointed at the Waterbender.
Katara narrowed her eyes, "Why do you insist on calling me Sugar Queen?" She nearly yelled.
"We're talk about this later, Sugar Queen!" Toph turned her face towards Artymis, "And you! You need to concentrate more. Start the drills!"
Artymis watched her stomp off and glanced in Katara's direction, "I don't know why it's so hard. But it is, Katara, and I don't know why."
"Does it have something to do with Zuko?" Katara asked in a low whisper.
Artymis shrugged, "I don't really know. Maybe. I'm not trying to blame him or anyone, but I blame myself for not being strong enough to see he really didn't... love me. I blame myself for not being strong enough to break that stupid rock."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." Katara said, "Everyone wishes they were stronger. But they fail to realize how strong they already are."
"I'm not strong enough," Artymis muttered, staring at the ground. "I need to be, though, in order to do what is expected of me. And what is expected of me is to stop any furthermore wrongs by the Fire Nation."
"But you don't have to do it alone." Katara laid a comforting hand on Artymis' shoulder.
Artymis gave a smile, "That's nice to know." She looked back up at the sun. I wish I could talk to Zuko. I wanna talk to him, I know he'll push me away. But I can't stop wishing.
Zuko groaned in frustration. His fists were shaking and he breathed very hard. This was the third time that the lightning - if you can even call it that - blasted in his face. "Why can't I do it?!" He yelled.
"You're not checking in with your emotions." Iroh said, "You have not let go the feeling of shame."
"I have no shame, only pride." Zuko corrected him.
"Pride is the path to shame, Prince Zuko." Iroh pointed out, "Your feeling of shame is what creates doubt in your mind and weakens your heart. You must let go of the shame."
"I have no shame!" Zuko yelled.
Iroh looked at him and shook his head, "Zuko, keep in check with your emotions!" He warned.
"I am!" Zuko yelled. He knew, though, he wasn't keeping in check with his emotions. He relaxed his tense shoulders a bit and stared at the ground. It's because I have shame for abandoning Artymis, right? he asked himself in silence. Why did things have to turn out like this?
"Zuko?" Iroh called out to him for the fourth time.
Zuko snapped out of his thoughts and turned to his uncle. "I'm sorry, uncle."
Iroh raised an eyebrow, "Is there something bothering you lately?" He asked.
Zuko shook his head in silence.
The retired general sighed. "I know when you are lying. It's useless to try."
The prince looked at his uncle and let out a low sigh. "It's Artymis." He muttered.
"Ah, Artymis." Iroh always smiled whenever Zuko would mention her. After all, he was happy that Zuko found a happiness that Lu Ten hadn't quite found before... well, he didn't find it yet. "I was going to ask you about her. I wanted to know what happened to her at the village with Azula."
"I, uh, I - " The young Firebender tried to look for an excuse. "Well, after you got hit by Azula - I thought it would be best if - you would do the same!" Zuko actually looked like a teenager in trouble.
Normally, Iroh would laugh, but something was still unsaid. "Did you say something to Artymis?" He asked. "Would the both of you meet again?"
Zuko gulped. "Uh... no."
Iroh blinked. "No?"
"That was what I was trying to say, uncle." Zuko started to panic. He had hoped so much that Artymis wouldn't be the slightest conversation between him and his uncle. But, it would hard with the recent encounter and Iroh wanting to know every detail. "I... I pushed her away."
Iroh's eyes widen. "You pushed her away?" He asked.
Zuko nodded.
Iroh stared at his nephew a little longer before shaking his head in disappointment. "Zuko, my boy." He muttered.
The prince looked up to his uncle, "What?" He asked as if he never did anything wrong.
"You pushed away Artymis - your happiness." Iroh said, "And in doing so, guilt is a burden on your shoulders, not only making it difficult for you to bend lightning but to control your emotions. Maybe, you should go and talk to her."
"I can't," Zuko muttered.
"Why?" Iroh asked.
"I just can't."
Iroh thought for a minute, "You can't or you're too afraid to face her?"
Zuko turned around to glare at his uncle, "I am not afraid to face her!" He gritted through teeth.
"You act like it." Iroh said.
"I.. I wanted to protect her, uncle." Zuko said with a softer tone. "You would do the same!"
"Yes, yes, I would want to protect my loved one." Iroh nodded, "But I would not push her away."
"Then what would you?!" Zuko yelled. He groaned and started walking away.
"Zuko!" Iroh called after him, "Where are you going?"
"I need some time to think." Zuko answered.
Artymis failed miserably at Toph's next training sessions that day. The fifteen-year-old collapsed next to Anduril after fighting Toph. Anduril lifted his head and glanced at his little sister.
Tired? Anduril asked.
Artymis nodded while breathing hard. Very. She closed her eyes and laid her head back.
Perhaps, you can't bend the element Earth yet, Anduril suggested. He felt how tired she was through their bond.
Artymis opened her eyes and her eyes side-glanced at him. What are you suggesting?
What I'm suggesting is that maybe you need to take a short break and think before trying to do earth.
The Airbender shook her head and looked away. No, I can't do that.
And why not? Anduril asked.
Artymis paused before answering the question. I don't want to be a Porcelain Doll. She stared out into space before deciding to do a little meditation. Artymis breathed in and out, like Jeong Jeong had taught her to. She leaned back against Anduril and closed her eyes to begin the meditation. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. She continued this and tried to contact Avatar Roku or Lady Kyoshi. After a while, she did.
Sokka sighed. He had hoped the others would find him. It had been like, what? Probably three hours since he left. Surely, the girls and Anduril would know he had gotten lost or captured by Fire Nation. They'll come, he told himself. Then, doubt crossed his mind. Won't they?
He looked at the baby animal. "Too bad you can't understand me, huh?"
The animal gurgled.
"Again, I take that as a no, Foo Foo Cuddly Puds." Sokka dropped his head on the hard ground. "I'm doomed!"
Avatar Artymis opened her eyes. She slowly got up and glanced at her surroundings. She was back where she had last met Lady Kyoshi. Artymis' eyes scanned for an older Avatar. "Avatar Kyoshi? Avatar Roku?" She called out.
"I'm right here." Kyoshi's voice answered.
Artymis whirled around to see the older Lady Avatar standing before a few feet away. The younger Avatar bowed down in respect. "Milady," She said out of respect.
Kyoshi returned her respect. "I have sense a great deal of doubt in you." She said.
"Yes, which is why I seek your guidance." Artymis said.
"You have doubt of mastering Earth because you are not bending it as fast as you did Water." Kyoshi explained. Artymis nodded. "You also have fear in you."
"Fear?" Artymis repeated, lifting her green eyes to meet Kyoshi's. "What do you mean fear? I'm not afraid."
"The fear in you brought your doubt, thus making it hard for you to bend the Earth." Kyoshi explained. "The fear you carry - it is one you love, am I right?"
Artymis knew immediately who it was. She nodded. Zuko. "Yes, but... you have to understand, Avatar Kyoshi. I care for him very much. I love him very much. I'm afraid the love won't be strong enough, and if it is, I fear it won't last long." At this point, tears brimmed Artymis eyes. Fortunately, Kyoshi didn't see them because the Airbender had her face lowered again.
"You broke a law." Kyoshi whispered, shaking her head in disapproval. "The law that Avatar Roku specifically explained to you."
"I don't care!" Artymis lifted her face up to the older woman. "Haven't you broken a law?" She asked. "Didn't you love someone? Wasn't there a special someone in your life whom you would do anything for? Everyone falls in love! Don't tell me Avatar Roku didn't fall in love, because he did! Whether or not you turned that love away, I don't care, but you broke the same law I did!"
Hearing all this brought memories back to Kyoshi. Memories she had hoped would be kept locked away in a deep corner of her mind and heart. She had indeed fallen in love with a boy who was true to her. Kyohsi could remember his face very well that it pained her heart to remember she had pushed him away for the sake of her Avatar duties. "I did fall in love, that I will not lie about." She said, barely moving her lips.
Artymis stared up at her.
"But, I could not let anything or anyone interfere with my duties. Therefore, I pushed love away." Kyoshi revealed, her face still.
"Why?" Artymis asked. "Why did you push it away?"
"Because of my duties!" Kyoshi answered with fury.
"But you loved him!" Artymis argued, "He was your pillar of strength! You could've had a happy ending!"
"I must do what everyone wants, not just what I want." Kyoshi muttered. "And so will you."
Artymis stared at her and shook her head, "I won't end up like that." She promised. "I won't throw away the one thing that gave me life and strength. I won't. I won't end up like the others. I will earn my happy ending."
Kyoshi looked at her and shook her head again, "Child, you are young. You still have much to learn."
"I might, but you do too!" Artymis shot back. But the connection between the two Avatars slowly broke. Artymis looked around her to see darkness replacing the trees and sky. She glanced at Kyoshi.
"You have much to learn." Lady Kyoshi said again before the connection completely broke.
Artymis' green eyes snapped open. She breathed heavily. She lifted her eyes up to see the sky started to darken. The sun began setting across the horizon. Artymis sighed and looked up to her right to see Anduril staring at the sun like she had.
"Anduril?" She called out softly.
Anduril changed his attention from the sunset to his sister.
"Where's Katara?" She asked.
She decided to practice with her waterbending, Anduril indicated with a nod in the right direction.
"Thanks," Artymis said, getting up and walking in the direction the dragon had pointed out. She walked until she came across a little pond. Unfortunately, Katara wasn't there. But Toph was. The Earthbender was kneeling down in front of the pond with her face lowered. Artymis thought it would be a good idea to leave. She quietly turned around.
"Stay," Toph ordered.
Artymis obeyed. She sat down beside Toph. "So..." She tried to start a conversation, but she really never was good at it.
"You gotta focus harder," Toph said out of the blue. "You can do it if you concentrate hard enough."
"I know," Artymis said. "But, someone lingers in the back of my mind."
"Someone?" Toph asked. "Who?"
"Someone I love." Artymis drew her knees close to her chest. "You sort-of know him."
Toph grew still. "Please tell me it's not Sokka."
Artymis blinked. "Uh, heck no."
For the first time in what seemed like forever, the two girls laughed. Artymis looked to Toph after laughing so hard. "We haven't laughed like in forever!"
"I've never laughed this hard before!" Toph managed to say. After a few more moments, the Earthbender asked once she calmed down, "So, who's this someone?"
Artymis smile fell. She stared at the water. "He loved me and I loved him. But, with our recent encounter, he pushed me away. I don't know if because he doesn't love me anymore or something. It hurt me and I haven't been able to get him out of my mind since."
"Who is this jerk?" Toph asked.
Artymis closed her eyes and imagine Zuko's face. "He's stubborn and acts stupid sometimes. He can be so mean, and yet, so sweet and gentle. His eyes always get me lost, like I'm in a maze. He promised me a few things."
"Like what?" The Earthbender asked with much curiosity.
"He promised he would always catch me if I ever fall." Artymis revealed, "And he promised eternal love with me."
"He kept them?" Toph asked.
Artymis asked, "Yes, he has. But the fact that he pushed me away still gets to me."
"When have I met him?" Toph asked.
"You've only met him once." Artymis said.
"That really narrows people down." Toph said, Artymis didn't know whether she was using sarcasm or being real. "Was it that Prince Zuko guy?" Toph asked after a small silence.
Artymis looked at her. "How did you - "
"When I was with you and that guy was there, your breathing was different." The Blind Bandit explained, "Your footsteps sounded different and you were determined to talk to him."
"I'm determined to talk to you," Artymis pointed out.
"Yeah, but your voice changed towards that boy." Toph pointed out. "So, I'm guessing you're in love with Prince Zuko, right?"
Artymis knew she couldn't deny it. She nodded, "Yes, yes I am." She glanced up at the Blind Bandit, "You're a pretty good detective."
"Yep, and Sokka doesn't know, only Katara and myself, right?"
"Anduril knows too." Artymis said.
"Ok, I was off by one." Toph grinned.
Artymis made a small smile. "I wish things were different."
"I sometimes think like that too." Toph said, "But, in the end, I say to myself 'Heck, why?'"
"So I can love him out in the open." Artymis muttered.
Toph thought for a few seconds. "You know, love is sometimes more powerful when it's in secret. Or so I'm told."
Artymis thought about those words, "I suppose." She stared up at the setting sun, wishing Toph could see it.
"Someone's coming." Toph warned in a low voice.
Artymis lifted her head and listened for the footsteps. She turned around to see Katara. "Katara?" Artymis rose to her feet. "What is it?" She asked.
"It's Sokka, you guys." Katara's blue eyes were held a worry.
"What'd he do this time?" Toph asked, sighing. "Did he put his foot on fire?"
"No," Katara answered in a monotone. "He hasn't returned. I think something happened."
"What are you doing, Uncle?" Zuko asked. He sat on the dirt cross-legged. His golden eyes watched the stick that Iroh held draw lines on the dirt's surface. "What's with the lines?" He asked, looking up.
"It's time for a little history lesson, my nephew." Iroh said.
"A history lesson?" Zuko blinked. Honestly, a history lesson, when he needed to be trained?
"Yes," Iroh cleared his throat and looked straight at Zuko. "As you know, there are four elements that help create balance in this world: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. The Water Tribes are distant and keepers of the spirits. The Earth Kingdom are soldiers with loyalty. The Fire Nation warriors are strong with a fierce determination." He pointed to each of his sand drawings that oddly represent each elemental nation with his stick. "And the Air Temples are peacemakers with calm spirits."
Zuko looked at his uncle with a raised eyebrow. "What does all of this have to do with me?" He asked.
"I'm getting there, I'm getting there." Iroh said. "The four elements are separate pieces of the universe. But, they are also one."
"One?" Zuko repeated. He looked confused. "What do you mean they're one?"
"The universe isn't made of pieces, Prince Zuko." Iroh explained, "It is whole. Different pieces making the puzzle whole."
"So, you're saying that we're all not that different?" Zuko asked, lifting his golden gaze to meet his uncle's.
Iroh nodded, "Although we all are distant from one another and have different likes and skills - we all make one complete 'person'."
"I still don't get how this relates to me." Zuko pointed out.
"You only draw energy from the Fire." Iroh said, "You need to draw from all four elements: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. You need to draw energy from them to let go of your shame and master your goal."
"So," Zuko considered what Uncle Iroh had just told them. "I need to draw energy from them all?"
Iroh nodded. "Yes, that is when the Avatar comes in." Usually, Zuko would immediately have a flicker of interest in his gold eyes, but this time, he just slowly glanced up at him. "The Avatar is like the 'whole person.' The completed puzzle that all of the elements - and all of us - put together. This is why the Avatar is so important. The Avatar draws energy from each element, thus being the balance and keeping it." He pointed the tip of his stick between Zuko's eyes. "You drew strength from Artymis, who master Air and Water at the time, no?"
Zuko nodded. He knew there was no escaping Artymis with Uncle Iroh.
"You are Fire, so all you need to do is draw strength from the Earth." Iroh explained, "But remember who is your pillar of strength and light, my nephew. Realize it soon or you'll realize it when you lose it."
The Prince nodded. "I will, uncle." But I think I already lost her.
Artymis searched around in her surroundings. "Sokka!" She called out. She hadn't realized boomerang guy had been missing until Katara came. The three benders decided to split up and look for him and Anduril agreed he would search by flying. "Sokka!" Artymis shouted again before jumping off a rock and onto the rock ground. She resumed walking until she saw something on the ground not too far off. Artymis squinted her eyes and they widen in joy. "Sokka!" She cried out, this time finding him. Anduril, found him!
On my way, he said.
Sokka lifted his head from the ground. He immediately saw Artymis running to him. "Artymis!" He shook his hands in joy. "You found me!"
Artymis knelt down in front of him with a huge grin. "Sokka, we've all been worried!" She looked at him.
"I knew you all would miss me." Sokka let out his sarcastic grin.
Artymis shook her head, "Yeah, we missed your messed-up afro hair that bad." Her emerald eyes looked at his new hairstyle.
Sokka blinked and figured out what she was talking about. "Oh, yeah. Like it?" He asked.
"Very," Artymis laughed. She stopped and noticed the weird position he was in the ground. "Um, how did you...?"
"Long story." Sokka said. And as if on cue, Foo Foo Cuddly Puds perched himself on top of Sokka's afro head. "Artymis, Foo Foo Cuddly Puds. Foo Foo Cuddly Puds, Artymis." Sokka introduced the two.
"A pleasure, Foo Foo Cuddly Puds." Artymis smiled. She lifted Foo Foo Cuddly Puds off of Sokka's head and held him up. "Aren't you an adorable little saber-muse!"
"Saber-muse?" Sokka repeated. "I thought it was a saber-bear."
"Nope," Artymis shook her head. "I recognize one when I see one." She frowned. "I think the saber-muse is emotionally attached to her children rather than her mate."
"Nice to know," Sokka muttered.
Artymis looked down at him. "You do know that's bad, right?" She asked.
Sokka looked up. "Why?" He asked.
A roar filled the silence. "That's why." Artymis answered as an adult female saber-muse emerged from the bushes, looking very, very angry.
(About ten minutes later)
"Bye, Foo Foo Cuddly Puds!" Artymis waved weakly. She felt like she could collapse. The fight with Foo Foo Cuddly Puds' mom wasn't exactly a walk in a park. Artymis sighed and glanced over her shoulder towards Sokka. "Um, can you get out now, Sokka?" She asked.
Sokka narrowed his eyes. "Oh sure, Artymis, I was just relaxing here 'cause I got nothing better to do!" He huffed.
Artymis rolled her eyes. "I take that as a no." She muttered. She clapped her hands together to begin earthbending, but stopped. I don't even know how to Earthbend, she thought. How can I get Sokka out of this mess?
"Well?" Sokka asked.
"Um, what?" Artymis asked, acting dumb.
"Aren't you gonna get me out of this?!" Sokka yelled.
Artymis' face fell and she shook her head sadly. "I can't."
"Why not, Art?" Sokka asked, getting a bit on the edge.
"Because," Artymis' voice was quiet at first, but she shouted the next words that flowed out of her mouth: "I can't Earthbend!"
Sokka blinked. "You can't Earthbend?" He repeated.
Artymis nodded bitterly.
The teenage boy began hitting his forehead against the ground. "Why - me?" He asked himself.
"Yeah, sorry about that." The teenage girl muttered.
The Water Tribe warrior looked back up at her. "Can't you call Toph over or something?" He asked.
"I can't, Sokka." She muttered.
His eyes widen. "What? Why?!"
"'Cause..." Artymis turned her face away.
"'Cause why?!" Sokka shouted.
"'Cause I don't want to be a Porcelain Doll!" Artymis shouted.
Sokka blinked, "Porcelain Doll?" He was 100 confused.
"I want to prove I'm not that fragile or weak. That's why I won't ask for help." Artymis rubbed her arms.
"You're still gonna have to ask me, Porcelain Doll." A laid back voice broke Artymis' thoughts.
Artymis turned around to see Toph sitting on one of the boulders with a relaxed expression. "How long have you been there?" She asked.
"Long enough to see you and Foo Foo Cuddly Puds' mom fight." Toph answered.
Artymis' face fell again, "That long, huh?"
Toph jumped off the boulder and walked towards the Airbender. "You can Earthbend, Art."
"What? No!" Artymis cried, "You know how I suck!"
The Blind Bandit shook her head. "You just stood up to an adult saber-muse."
"That's it!" Artymis shouted.
"... and more importantly," Toph continued as if Artymis hadn't said anything. "You don't give up. That's what a true Earthbender says: Never give up."
"Huh?" Artymis blinked several times in surprise. "I don't understand."
"Of course you don't." Toph said, "But you will. You gotta learn to never give up, 'cause if you do, you'll never get it."
Artymis stared at the young Earthbender in disbelief before smiling. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Now," Toph said. "Do drill #3!"
Drill #3 was hard, but it didn't involve getting dirty. Artymis stood in front of a boulder and breathed. She clapped her hands together and concentrated hard like Toph had taught her to. She thrust them out in front of her. The boulder moved about twenty yards, without air. Artymis' lips curved into the biggest smile she had ever made. "I did it!" She gasped excitingly. She whirled around to Toph and Sokka, "I can Earthbend now!"
Toph crossed her arms across her chest and nodded, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I knew you could."
"That's great, Art!" Sokka said, "But, now, can you get me out of this?"
"I'll do it." Toph volunteered. "You're still a rookie, so... yeah." She earthbended Sokka out of the hole in the ground. "There, Boomerang Guy, happy?"
"Finally!" The warrior stood up and dusted the dirt off of his shoulders and arms. "I'm free."
"Unfortunately," Toph muttered. She then directed a few things to Artymis. "You should be able to Earthbend a little easier now."
Artymis nodded and couldn't help but hug the twelve-year-old tightly. "Thank you so much, Toph!"
Toph hugged her back after the shock. "Just never give up, big sis." She let a smile escape from her.
And to ruin this moment...
"I'm hungry." Sokka stated.
Zuko tried to spark lightning for the 105th time. He groaned in frustration and kicked the dirt. "That's the 105th time it exploded in my face!" He shouted.
"You're not taking in the lesson I gave earlier." Iroh pointed out. "You're only drawing strength from one element and not using the other two you have or trying to get the remaining element."
"I don't know how!" Zuko shouted, "How am I suppose to know to use their energy or how to 'draw energy?!'" He turned to face his uncle with fire in his eyes. "Teach me advanced techniques!"
Iroh shook his head. "No. You have not master the basics."
"Because they're a waste of time!" Zuko yelled. He breathed in and out deeply. He then turned on his heel and began marching towards the ostrich-horse.
"Where are you going?" Iroh asked him with concern.
"I'll teach myself." Zuko muttered angrily. He saddled in and yanked the reins. The ostrich-horse took off.
Iroh watched his nephew leave and shook his head disappointingly.
I'll just teach myself how to survive, the Prince thought, but knew it was impossible. The sun had disappeared and sky was turning to a dark shade of blue and the gray clouds rolled in. A storm was coming, but Zuko didn't care. He was always the one getting struck, what difference would it make now for a banished prince?
"I'm so happy!" Artymis clapped her hands.
Katara lifted her head from her pillow, "That's great. But you might want to save all the excitement for tomorrow."
"Yeah, like some of us would like to sleep." Sokka's muffled voice came from his sleeping bag.
"Shut it, Afro Guy." Toph ordered, turning inside her opened earth tent. 'Afro Guy' was Sokka's current nickname from Toph.
"You shut it." Sokka shot back, still not believing that was his new nickname.
"You." Toph calmly argued.
"You - " Sokka opened his mouth, but his sister cut in.
"Can you guys save it for tomorrow?" Katara asked.
A pause before the two responded, "Ok."
"Alright, sleep time." Katara announced and buried her face in her pillow with peacefully shut eyes.
A little while later, nearly everyone was asleep. Everyone that is, except for Artymis and Anduril. The young Airbender was too excited to fall asleep. She was so happy she could Earthbend that she felt like dancing.
Will your never-ending happiness of earthbending end? Anduril asked with his amused expression and voice.
Nope! Artymis smiled up at him. I'm too happy to sleep!
The silver dragon smiled. I'm glad, Artymis, I'm glad.
Artymis stared up at the sky. Tonight she couldn't see the stars, the gray clouds hid them from view. Too bad the sky isn't shinning with stars, she frowned. She smiled brightly though after a moment and turned around to Anduril. Would you like to stretch your wings, big brother? she asked.
Anduril opened one blue eye. He closed it, meaning 'not now.'
Artymis pouted. Please? Oh pretty please? I'll jump off a cliff.
Anduril made an amused smile in his sleep, You wouldn't.
I would. To prove it, Artymis stood up and started walking into the direction of a cliff. A tail encircled around her and gripped her softly. The Airbender grinned as she came face-to-face with a silver dragon's face. I told you.
Anduril shook his head. What am I going to do with you? he asked while placing her on his back. He was sort-of glad that Artymis was up to a little trip. Although he flew earlier, it didn't exactly relax his stiff muscles.
Take care of me, Artymis responded.
Anduril glanced up at the clouded sky and turn towards his sister. A storm is approaching, we need to make the trip quick, alright?
Artymis nodded, she understood the risks. Alright. She glanced down at the others who slept soundfully. "I'll be back, you guys." She whispered while holding onto the Anduril.
Hold on, he warned. Anduril quietly started pacing on the ground. His pace quicken but remained soundless. Soon, the silver dragon was in the dark sky.
Artymis' lips spread into a small true smile as they soared in the sky. She was glad to finally fly after what seemed months without the feel of the wind against her face. Thanks, Anduril. She said, I needed that.
Zuko pulled the reins of the ostrich-horse as meaning to halt. The creature stopped. Zuko jumped off of the ostrich-horse. He had stopped at the top of one of the low mountains. The ground was flat but rough beneath his boots. The young Firebender walked and when he stopped, small drops of water slowly descended from the heavens. Slowly, more rain came down to soak Zuko.
He balled his hands into fists and glared up at the sky. Strike me down lightning, he dared in silence.
Author's Note: OMG! I'm soooooooo sorry if this chapter took forever to load! I didn't have much ideas for this chapter. The fight between FFCP's mom wasn't detailed because I was too lazy to type it out and I wasn't in the mood to type it out. :P Hopefully (that's the keyword!) the next chatper which is an original will be a little more quicker to update, and it should be because it's not 56KB worth of memory! I'm hopping I can update before April ends. I'm on a break from school for a week. So that means staying up and type, type, type! ' Anyways, I would l really like your thoughts on thic chapter and I do know I sucked towards the end of this chatper. TT I was so busy with HS, college, projects, and dance rehearsals - that I didn't have time to type as much. Please forgive me.
P.S. Ideas and comments are always welcomed!
Naruto's-Love: Hope you're glad I updated again!
Typewriterman: lol Hello! I'm always looking forward to your humor in the reveiws!
Firework: Sorry if I didn't have the Fire Trio (Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee) appear in this chapter. I'm still trying to see how I can fit them in.
Zuko-Fan: I feel so happy! I really apprecaite your praising and I do hope I continue to be your favorite authors and I do hope you can sign up soon! And, don't worry, I'll have Mai's reaction in soon... maybe next chapter - MAYBE.
Dark Goddess of the Moon: It's cool to see someone else reading my story! Hope this satisfies you (eventhough I did very, very poor in this chapter).