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Chapter10: Earning Trust: Aang

Aang 12dASC

Palace Rooms

Aang snapped up out of bed.

He was breathing heavily, his heart still racing after the nightmare he had just had. He put his head in his hands, trying to remember what the dream had been about.

He had been in a forest. It had been a strange forest, like something had been added to it. Aang pushed his palms into his eyes to try and visualize the place again.

It was pitch black. He hadn't been able to see anything besides the giant trees around him. And someone had been calling to him. Who had it been?

Katara he thought breathing deep. Katara was the one that had called to him.

He had tried to run after her, but he didn't know where to look. He had just started running, crying out to Katara, hoping she wasn't being hurt.

He had run out of the forest and into a clearing. That was were the nightmare had really begun. Katara was lying on the ground crying out, trying to get to her feet. Mai and Suki were close to her, lying unconscious.

There was also a black shape there. He was hunched over something and seemed to be laughing softly to himself. When he stood up, Zuko fell to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth, staring blankly at the sky.

"NOOOOOOO!" Aang remembered yelling.

The figure spun around and threw out his hands. Aang got a good look at this face. His face…

What had his face looked like? Aang pushed his eyes deeper into his head, trying to see if he could remember how that face had looked. He couldn't remember though.

Every time he tried to focus on the details they seemed to slip farther and farther away from him.

He gave up trying to remember and walked over to his window.

It was twilight, the sun just starting to peek over the horizon. The stars still littered the sky in certain spots and the moon still shone. It was an amazing sight, watching the sun rise, pushing back the starts and outshining the moon. But it was even more beautiful to watch all three light up the sky.

He breathed in deep again and felt the wind against his face. It was going to rain soon, he could smell it. Some rain would be welcome to break the Fire Nations warm summers.

That's when he noticed the other figure standing in the guardian below him.

He could tell it was Tyren from his jet black hair. He was standing, also facing the wind looking with wonderment at the sky. If waterbenders were strong with the moon and firebenders were strong with the sun, when were shadowbenders strongest?

These were some of the strange thoughts Aang seemed to have when he thought about Tyren.

He wasn't afraid of him like Katara was but he wasn't as friendly as Zuko, Mai, and now, Sokka, and Suki were. He was simply curious.

As though his thought had tapped Tyren's shoulder he looked up and saw Aang standing over the edge of the balcony.

"Beautiful isn't it," he called quietly so not to wake anyone up.

"Yeah…it's really nice," said Aang awkwardly. He never really knew what to say to Tyren. It was just like when Zuko just join the group; awkward moments, not knowing what to say to him, the fact that he never really felt like part of the group. It was like a bad case of déjà vu.

Tyren motioned for Aang to join him. Aang thought for a minute. If Sokka, Suki, and Zuko could trust him after a talk why couldn't Aang.

Aang jumped down and landed lightly next to Tyren.

"You wake up early normally don't you? To meditate?" asked Tyren.

"Yeah I do. I just get it over with," said Aang.

"Well I hope you don't mind if I join you. I've always loved this time of day," said Tyren taking a seat.

He put his hands on his knees and began breathing deeply, letting his eyes close. Aang followed his lead and took his stance, hands pressed together.

They sat in silence, breathing in the cool air and letting their minds wander. Aang felt more comfortable than he ever had before around Tyren. Aang couldn't help but feel better whenever he meditated.

"Aang can I ask you something?" asked Tyren, breaking the silence.

"Sure. What is it?" replied Aang, not opening his eyes.

"Why does Katara hate me so much?" he asked quietly.

This made Aang's eyes snap open. Tyren's were also open and he was watching the stars continue to blink out as the sun took up the sky.

"Well…," Aang wasn't really sure of how to answer that.

"I know about the warning from Avatar Roku, but….," Tyren didn't seem to know what to say. "I don't know why she thinks I'm such a monster."

Again Aang didn't know how to answer this. He felt like he should be honest with Tyren. But it was Katara's feelings. She wasn't making much of an effort to hide them though.

"Well it's about her mother…," said Aang deciding to be at least a little honest. "She was just really shaken up when she saw you. You seemed to remind her of how her mother's killer looked…right before he did it." There were a few more seconds of uncomfortable silence.

"I just wish she didn't think I was some kind of monster. I don't want to be that thing that hides in the darkness…I don't wanna be a nightmare," said Tyren quietly.

Aang was starting to feel like he was going to be no help with this conversation.

"Sorry to ask you about it," said Tyren, standing. "I'm going to get something to eat."

"Alright. Sorry I wasn't much help," said Aang.

Tyren just smiled softly and entered the palace.

Aang turned back to the rising sun. He actually felt a little bad for Tyren.

Everyone had assumed he was something to fear; something that needed to be exterminated and stopped. They really had treated him just like a monster.

But they had been warned. Avatar Roku had shown him what would happen if they didn't stop this guy. Avatar Roku had warned them….

That's it thought Aang.

Avatar Roku was the one who had warned them, he was probably the one to ask about Tyren.

Aang resumed his meditative position and his breathing deep and methodical. He felt the familiar feeling of rushing backwards at high speeds and when he opened his eyes he was in the spirit world.

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Spirit World

Aang

Aang stood and looked around the Spirit World. The Fire Nation in the Spirit World had the entire splendor of its buildings but without all the people. It would be the perfect place to be alone.

Aang walked around for a little while, examining the empty buildings and surrounding areas. When he got to the beach he sat down and waited for Avatar Roku.

Aang never really called him, he just showed up like he knew when Aang wanted to talk to him.

He was not disappointed as the old Avatar appeared sitting across from him.

"Hello Aang," he said in his quite voice.

"Avatar Roku," Aang returned the greeting.

"You have a lot of questions for me don't you?" asked Roku.

"Where do I start Roku? I'm really confused," admitted Aang. He wasn't sure how he felt about Tyren anymore. He was supposed to be wary of him so he wouldn't let him destroy life as they all knew it but just this morning he had had a perfectly normal time with the guy.

"Start at the beginning I find that works best," chuckled Roku.

"Well to start I don't know if Tyren's such a bad guy," said Aang. Roku raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Even though you warned us all against him, but he seems to be trying to make up for anything he's done. Zuko likes him and so do Sokka and Suki. I mean, do should we really just lock him up?" asked Aang desperate to hear someone say he hadn't made a bad choice by allowing Tyren to remain free.

Roku waited a while before answering.

"Yes Aang I warned you against this man for a reason. I don't think that you weren't reasonable in the way you thought of Tyren," said Roku quickly, seeing the look on Aang's face. "Looking for the good in people is a welcome virtue. But there are those who would use that against you." Roku looked closely into Aang's eyes.

"Remember what Avatar Kuruk told you. You must actively shape your own destiny," said Roku. Aang felt a little better as he remembered the old Avatar's words.

"But don't forget what I told you as well," said Roku sharply. "You must be decisive and can not allow this…Tyren to destroy all you have worked for."

Aang's face fell again.

"Come, Aang," said Roku, standing up. "I would like to show you something."

They walked in to the ocean ad stopped when it got to about waist height.

"What are you showing me?" asked a confused Aang.

"Look at the water Aang," commanded Roku.

Aang did so and saw little bubbles rising to the surface. They slowly broke the surface of the water and rose to about eye height.

He saw that the bubble was not translucent, but seemed to glow and show people moving inside them.

"What are these?" asked Aang awestruck.

"These are the future. Everyone's future depends on them staying on a certain path. When someone strays off what they were originally doing…," he paused as a bubble popped. "The future changes," he finished.

Aang continued to watch the bubbles mesmerized. Most rose around him and stayed up but every now and then a bubble would pop and a new one would rise.

"The one I want to show you," said Avatar Roku, handing Aang a bubble. "Is yours."

Aang took the bubble. It felt warm and like it had a tiny heartbeat. Then before their eyes it expanded until it took up all the space in front of him.

It showed Aang in a strange place. It was heavily shadowed and looked to be surrounded by trees. With a shock Aang realized this was the place that he had dreamed about.

"I've seen this place," he cried. Roku nodded.

"You are the Avatar. You are more in touch with the future than anyone else in the real world. Sometimes the future may reveal itself to you."

The bubble continued to play out. Aang was running towards a clearing. When he reached it there were Mai, Katara, Suki, and the black figure all hunched around. Zuko was fighting him with all his power but he was obviously outmatched by the figure. What was more the figure seemed to be bending shadows.

The future Aang jumped in to assist the losing Fire Lord and the figure began holding them both off. It was complete chaos to watch. Shadows lashed out followed by fire, water, earth, and air. Before too long the clearing had the battle scars of a thousand battles.

The future Aang and Zuko stood looking desperate as the black figure lashed out again. As the real Aang yelled out a pointless warning six other bubbles grouped together. When the shadow attack hit the future Aang and Zuko all seven bubbles that were in front of Aang popped.

Aang stared quietly at the spot were the future bubbles had once floated, a feeling of dread creeping up around his belly.

"Where's Tyren's bubble," he finally asked quietly.

As if someone had heard his request a lone bubble floated into Aang's hand. He looked at it and was surprised to see it was simply black. After a closer look Aang saw the bubble wasn't black, it was just filled with shadows.

"No one knows Tyren's future. Or even what his future could be. This is why it was so important to warn you. An enemy you can not guess like Tyren is the worst type of enemy." said Roku.

"So you're saying I should lock him up," said Aang quietly.

"Let's just say I've never heard of a shadowbender before, and I am very worried that this could turn ugly," said Roku.

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Tyren

Palace Garden

While Aang talked with Roku Tyren had gotten his food and drink.

He sat back down next to Aang and began eating silently.

"Aang, I'm sorry if you think I can't be trusted," he said slowly. Aang didn't' respond.

"But I'm not a monster. I hope you can believe me." Again Aang made no response.

"Aang?" Tyren said frowning. Aang had never full out ignored him before.

"Aang, are you alright?" asked Tyren as he tapped him on his shoulder. Tyren felt a jerk around his naval the minute his hand hit Aang's shoulder and felt like he was streaking backward. The feeling made him feel sick and he closed his eyes. What had happened?

When he opened his eyes he wasn't sure were he was. It seemed to be the Fire Nation but it didn't have any people. How had he gotten out of the palace? Tyren wasn't sure he could take any more shadowbending surprises.

"Hello," he bellowed. No one answered. He didn't even see anyone move as though they heard him. The shadows were surprisingly quiet. They hadn't completely stopped but something had made them to lower their voices so much it seemed like they had stopped.

Tyren shrugged and just started walking down the street. He was starting to get used to surprises and decided he would just roll with this one.

It was nice getting to walk the street. Or at least they seemed like the streets. Tyren knew from watching them from the palace that they were usually much more crowded. Still it gave him at least a small feeling of being normal.

The street eventually ran out and he found himself on a long stretch of beach. Nothing else seemed to occupy the beach and Tyren started worrying that maybe he was permanent limbo.

That's when he noticed a large tree in the middle of the beach. It really had no reason to be there in the middle of a Fire Nation beach. It was a giant knobby tree that looked like it had dropped out of a forest and seemed to rise up forever.

He cautiously began moving towards it. The tree seemed to call out to him. It was like an intoxicating sent was coming from it and was drawing him closer and closer.

Tyren knew this tree. He couldn't remember were from but he felt like he had seen in somewhere before. He drew closer and could smell the dampness coming from it.

What unsightly thing lives down there thought Tyren. Even the shadows around him seemed to be hissing in annoyance…or were they hissing in fear?

He glanced around the tree. The roots made it look like it had a thousand large legs and towered over Tyren. The tree defiantly had a life of its own.

Tyren drew nearer to the base and saw a small opening. There seemed to be something down there, breathing in like it was trying to suck Tyren down with it. And the strange thing was that Tyren wasn't scared, but interested in what lived down there.

"Who lives down there," he muttered.

"Koh….," hissed the shadows. They seemed to cringe at the name.

"Koh," muttered Tyren. Well that explained why he thought he had seen the tree before. Aang had visited Koh once.

Tyren knew he should probably turn away and leave the spirit alone, but he also had Aang's memory of Roku telling him that Koh was one of the oldest spirits. The spirit that had lived through centuries and knew almost anything; that could possibly help him.

Tyren took a deep breath and remembered some advice given about Koh.

Show no emotion

Tyren's working to make his face as impassive as he could he entered the lair of Koh, The Face Stealer.

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Aang, Roku

Spirit World Ocean

Aang and Roku hadn't moved. They stood there, waist deep in the ocean, looking for someway to change the future.

"I don't think I could live with myself knowing I locked up a possibly innocent person," said Aang dully. "Maybe the bubbles show this picture because we try and lock him up and then he tries to get revenge."

"You are always one to look on the bright side," said Roku smiling softly. "And you maybe right. But I don't think not locking him up will save you from the future."

Suddenly Roku stiffened and looked around.

"Did you bring along anyone else?" he demanded. Aang shook his head in confusion.

"No, I've never brought anyone with me into the Spirit World."

"Well something happened. This is not good," said Roku, very stressed.

"What happened?" asked Aang turning to the beach.

They both stopped dead. Jutting out of the beach was a giant tree. Aang had seen it before and had hoped to never have to see it again.

It was the tree of Koh, The Face Stealer.

Tyren looked around the small cavern. There didn't see to be anybody in the room but it was so dark he couldn't be sure.

The shadows in this room were even strange. They whispered differently than the other ones.

Instead of a bunch of soft jumbled whispering they spoke in one continues whisper.

"Run…..," they whispered. It was impossible to miss the urgency in their voices.

"Run…," they repeated. The voices seemed to bounce off the walls and sound twice as loud as normal.

Tyren closed his eyes to shut them out. After a short while they did and he opened his eyes.

Koh was centimeters from his face. He had the white face of a masquerade mask and was smiling softly. Tyren however kept his unimpressed domineer and just blinked.

"Impressive," chuckled The Face Stealer. "That has always worked before."

"I doubt you have ever met someone like me before," said Tyren quietly. Koh glanced again at him.

"You think I don't know who you are?" he asked softly.

"I think you just found out," said Tyren.

"And what makes you think that I don't already know more than you do about yourself?" hissed Koh.

"Because you would have already used it to against me," replied Tyren calmly. Koh frowned.

"You seem very well informed. I wonder how you know what I'm going to do to you." Koh asked twisting around Tyren.

"I have the Avatar's memories," said Tyren quietly. "It's easy from those to tell what you want do to me."

"Now is that fair? The Avatars have such a biased view about me," Koh seemed to be pouting.

Tyren made no response.

"Why are you really here shadowbender?" asked Koh.

"For that reason; I want to know what you do about shadowbending," said Tyren.

Koh chuckled. "But I think you already fear the answer to that question. Well your fears tell you the truth. I know nothing of shadowbending."

He bent close to Tyren's face to make sure no flicker of emotion passed. Koh blinked and a beautiful women's face looked at him.

"You've never seen it before?" asked Tyren impassively.

"Never," said Koh's voice from the woman's face. "Controlling the shadows was an old Spirits way of contacting the real world before you're…Avatar came to be."

"So only the Spirits know of it?" asked Tyren.

Koh laughed. "But you see it's been so long since we have ever had to use it that even I don't remember how to do it."

Tyren's eyes flashed and Koh was within a centimeter of his face again.

"Oh, you are just teeming with emotion," he hissed as his face turned to an old man's face. "But you refuse to let it surface. I wonder why you do not let your true self take over."

Before Tyren could answer footsteps came behind him.

"Tyren, how did you get in here?" asked Aang. He too had a blank look on his face and kept it as Koh jumped at him, entwining around him and getting close to his face.

"Ah, the Avatar has graced me with this presence once again," he hissed.

"I'm simply here for my friend," said Aang.

"I was just leaving," said Tyren softly.

Koh blinked and an angry blue face took the old man's place.

"What, you wish to leave so soon?" he snapped.

Tyren and Aang turned to walk away.

"You will not be able to hide from me forever. You will come back to me shadowbender because I am the only one who can help you. I, who has lived for centuries and alone can help you piece together your past!" said Koh.

Tyren stopped and looked back at The Face Stealer.

"But there are more than you," he said quietly.

Koh's eyes widened and his face turned back to the original white.

"Good luck shadowbender. You will need it," hissed Koh and he disappeared into the shadows.

"What were you thinking!" demanded Aang when they were safely away from Koh's tree.

"I was thinking I could learn something about my past," said Tyren calmly. He was going over all that Koh had told him. The Face Stealer claimed he didn't know anything about the art of shadowbending, but…had he been lying? And the shadows had told him a different Spirit could help him. But who?

"So you go to KOH?" yelled Aang. "The trickiest and one of the deadliest of all the Spirits; do you want to die?"

"I deserve to know about my past and I will do what I can to rediscover it," said Tyren sharply, rounding on Aang. "You did the same thing when you first woke from the iceberg. You have no right to be upset with what I did."

Aang looked into Tyren's eyes. He saw the pain and anger Koh had inflicted by not helping him.

Tyren sighed. "Look I'm sorry. But I need to know where I came from; who I was. You can understand that right?"

Aang thought about his past. How he had needed know what happened to the monks and to his home. But he also remembered those bubbles of the future he had seen; an evil like Tyren destroying him and his friends.

Aang nodded. "I can understand that. But what if you find what you're looking for and it's not good?"

Tyren looked away.

"How did you get here?" asked Aang.

"I touched you," muttered Tyren. "I must've jumped the bridge to here when I touched you."

"Well let's go home," said Aang. "Before something else happens."

Tyren shrugged.

"Hold on tight. I would rather not leave you here in the Spirit World," said Aang. Tyren chuckled and clutched Aang's shoulder. Aang closed his eyes, concentrated, and felt the familiar feeling of flying again. When he opened his eyes they were back in the palace garden.

"That was a little strange," said Tyren shaking his head.

"Yeah it does take for some getting used too," chuckled Aang. Tyren looked back up at the sky. It was now completely sun lit.

"I just wish I would have found something," he said bitterly.

"C'mon," said Aang putting a hand on Tyren's shoulder. "Let's go get something to eat."

Tyren laughed sourly. "I thought you were afraid of me?"

"Nah, I think I've learned something. You're not that different from me. Just a guy who woke up in a strange new world and now he's looking for his past," said Aang smiling.

Tyren chuckled.

What is with these people? Tyren thought as he walked inside the palace side by side with the Avatar.

Alright slow chapter I admit it. Got a little Spirit World Action in there, had some smack talk with Koh. Could be worse. You really smart people who know your Spirits might be able to guess which one's Tyren was talking about. Everyone else you're going to have to wait. R&R!