The dry, warm air swept through the savanna. The landscape before us was covered with holes. I held my shoulder as the breeze swept through the air. We stayed in the rocky canyon near Tu Zin so Aang could practice earthbending and I could heal. I didn't need bandages anymore, but I was still advised to be careful for the next few days. My skin felt raw and rough.
"So... why are we just sitting here?" Sokka said.
"I want to show you guys something," Aang said, a giddy smile on his face as he sat on the ground and held a flute in his hands. He faced forward, took a deep breath, and played a single note. A groundhog poked its head from one of the holes and sang the same note. Aang played a chord, and three groundhogs emerged and sang it back to him. He turned back to us and giggled.
"Really?"
"It's fine, Sokka. After all, this is part of our mini-vacation," Toph said.
"And I've said repeatedly that we don't have time for a mini-vacation. Even Aang's said it."
"I know I did, but... this past week, all I've done is train. I'm exhausted," Aang said. "And this mini-vacation will be no longer than a day, maybe two. We've all been working hard; stepping away for a moment to breathe will be good for us."
Aang played another note, and a groundhog chirped directly in front of Momo. He pounced as the groundhog went back into the hole. A vein appeared on Sokka's forehead. Aang stood, walked over to Appa, and fished a local map from the saddle.
"Your turn, Katara," Aang said, showing her the map. "Where do you want to go next?"
"How about the Misty Palms Oasis?" Katara said.
"Ooh, I've been there. It's an ice spring, and one of the best I've even seen."
"One of the best you've ever seen, huh?" Sokka said.
The picture on the map looked nothing like what we saw. The piece of ice sitting in the center of town was only a fraction of the former towering pillar. The walls were cracked, and the buildings were crumbling.
"Well... it has been a while since I last visited..." Aang said.
We entered the oasis. We headed to a bar-like establishment, nervously avoiding eye contact with the group of gauze-wrapped men loitering outside. They glared at us as we passed, but I couldn't tell who looked at who with their glasses.
The establishment was quiet, save for the tinkling of glasses and whispered small talk. As we approached the bar, we watched the server dish up a mango drink. Using two scimitars, he grabbed a mango, diced it up, and mixed it with a fizzy liquid inside a cup. He placed a straw and a mini umbrella in the drink and slid it to the customer.
"Thank you," the customer said. He grabbed the drink and turned around, bumping into Aang. The drink splattered all over Aang's clothing. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't see you."
Aang raised a hand. "It's all right. I'm great at cleaning up these kinds of messes."
Aang clapped his hands together, and air swept through his clothes. The mango liquid dried instantly.
"Interesting," the customer said. "I've never met an Air Nomad before. And who might you be?"
"I'm Aang."
"It's nice to meet you, Aang. My name is Zei. I'm a professor at Ba Sing Se University." He grabbed Aang's arm and studied the arrow tattoo on the back of his hand. "Which air temple do you hail from?"
"The Southern Temple."
Professor Zei pulled out a compass and began measuring Aang's head.
"All right, this has gotten weird," Sokka said. He turned to the bar. "One mango drink, please."
"Make that two," Toph said.
"Banana sounds good," Katara said.
"Can I get a mix of strawberry and peach?" I said.
Through the slicing of fruit and preparation of our drinks, Professor Zei questioned Aang. The server handed us our drinks.
"Hey, Professor," Sokka said. "Do you have a more current map we could use? Ours is a little outdated."
"Of course," Professor Zei said. He pulled a map from his backpack and handed it to Sokka.
Sokka unfolded the map over a table and scanned it. "Um… you wouldn't happen to have a map of the Fire Nation, would you?"
"Sorry, I don't. This is the most detailed map I have."
"You've visited this desert quite a few times," Katara said. "How come?"
"I've been searching for something. My father had read about, and my grandfather had read about it, but neither of them have been able to find what they're looking for: Wan Shi Tong's library."
"What's so great about this library? I mean, if you've spent years searching for it, there's got to be something good in it," Toph said.
"Indeed. Wan Shi Tong, the Knowledge Spirit, created this library with the help of his knowledge-seeking fox helpers. Inside contains vast knowledge about anything and anyone. They put this knowledge on display so that people may come and partake of it… Although you certainly don't hear anything about it from people nowadays. I don't know why it's so well-hidden."
"Knowledge about anything?" Sokka said. "Even about the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation?"
"Anything you can think of, it's very possible that the library has information about it."
Sokka turned to us. "I've decided where I want to go next for our mini-vacation- to Wan Shi Tong's library!"
"But we don't even know where it is. Not even the obsessed professor knows," Toph said.
I stirred my half-empty glass with my straw. "Well, it has to be somewhere in the desert. Professor Zei's kept track of which parts he's searched, so we can just search the areas he hasn't been to."
"But how would all of us survive in this desert? Every time I set foot in it, I've barely made it out," Zei said.
"Don't worry, Professor," Aang said. "We've got the perfect solution. My friend's just outside the oasis. We can introduce you to him."
We finished our drinks and left the establishment. We exited the oasis and saw a group of the gauze-covered men trying to approach Appa. Appa growled and bared his teeth.
"An air bison?!" Professor Zei cried.
"Hey, get away from Appa!" Aang cried.
The men shrunk away. They scurried to their gliders and fled by bending the sand.
"Sandbenders…" Zei sighed. He turned to Appa. "So, this is your friend? Air bisons were the origins of airbending, so it only makes sense that Air Nomads became their companions."
"That's right. Appa and I have been together since we were younger," Aang said. He chuckled. "That's actually a really long time."
We climbed into Appa's saddle. Aang snapped the reins, and Appa slapped his tail against the ground and lifted into the air.
"Amazing!" Zei cried as he sat next to Aang. He held his hat to keep it from flying off. "I'll have to take the time to learn Bisonese. I can only imagine the stories this one has to tell."
Aang chuckled. "I'm sure he'd love to tell them to you. So, what does this library look like?"
Professor Zei pulled out a small piece of parchment paper. "Here."
We peered over the saddle and at the paper. The sketch was of a large palace.
"You've had a hard time finding this huge building?" Katara said. "Well, we'll have an air advantage, so it shouldn't be difficult to find it."
An hour passed, and all we had seen was dunes. I balanced a slab of ice on my head to stay cool, wrapped in an endless battle to keep the sun from melting it.
"Hey," Sokka said from his telescope, "I see something down there."
He pointed to a tower poking up from the sand. Aang led Appa to the ground.
"This can't be it. The building we're looking for is much bigger than this tower," Katara said. "Let's just keep looking."
Aang nodded and moved to snap the reins. He paused.
"Look," he said.
We followed his line of sight and saw a fox climbing over a sand dune. It had a small bag tied to its back, and it held something in its mouth. It perked its head up as we circled above it. The fox scurried to the tower, climbed up the side, and crawled through the window at the top.
"I think that was one of Wan Shi Tong's knowledge seekers," Professor Zei said. "Perhaps if we follow it, it can lead us to where the library is! Let me see the sketch again."
Aang handed Professor Zei the paper. Zei studied the paper excitedly. Slowly, his expression fell.
"N-No, this… this can't be…" he said.
"What's up?" Toph said.
"The library…" Zei gestured wildly to the tower. He waved the paper in our faces. "Look at this spire! This is the top of the structure! This is Wan Shi Tong's library! Completely buried… just like my life's work!" He sighed. "Well, I should waste anymore of my energy complaining. We've got a building to dig up."
Toph walked over to the tower and planted her hand against it. "That won't be necessary. The inside of the building isn't filled with sand. Which is good, since this place is huge and sandbending isn't exactly my forte."
"Looks like the only way in is through those windows," I said. "But how do you suppose we get up there?"
"Leave that to me!" Sokka plucked his boomerang from his back. "Anybody got some rope?"
"I do," Professor Zei said. He handed a bundle of rope to Sokka.
Sokka tied the rope tightly around his boomerang and threw it. The boomerang snagged against the other side of the window.
"Climb up one at a time. I'll go first," Sokka said, and he grabbed the rope and scaled the wall.
"I'll stay behind," Toph said.
"Are you sure? We're talking about 'vast knowledge' here," Katara said.
"Not really interested. Besides, what if something happens outside and we're all in that dusty place? I'll stand watch."
"Appa will be out here, too, so you two can keep each other company," Aang said. Appa purred.
"Yeah, sure… After all, we'll have plenty to talk about…"
One by one, we scaled the tower. At my turn, I took a deep breath and gripped the rope.
This is fine, I thought. This is fine.
I climbed the rope, and we entered the library. We dangled from the long piece of rope and scanned the area.
"Oh, just look at this place! Isn't it everything you've wanted and more?" Professor Zei said.
"Yeah… sure," Sokka said.
We reached the end of the rope and hopped onto one of the woven stone bridges. Several floors lay below, so many that I couldn't see the bottom. Countless bookshelves lined the area, each inch filled with books and scrolls. The only free space was this bridge and the open space from the tower..
Footsteps approached. We scurried to the other side of the bridge and hid behind pillars. A large owl emerged from the shadows and stepped onto the bridge. Its coat of feathers was pitch black, and its face was white. Two white spots shaped like eyes were on the back of its head. It stopped and examined the rope we left dangling. The owl scanned the area, twisting its neck in a full circle.
"I know you're there," the owl said. He turned his head in our direction. "It's pointless for you to hide."
Professor Zei stepped out from the pillar. "H-Hello! My name is Professor Zei, and I'm from the Ba Sing Se University!"
"You've come a long way, I see. I suggest you go back."
"You're Wan Shi Tong, right? The Spirit of Knowledge?" Aang said. We stepped away from the pillar and approached the owl. "I'm the Avatar."
"Yes, I am Wan Shi Tong. And you may be the Avatar, but you are human, just like your friends, and humans are no longer allowed in my library."
"Why? What did we do?"
"I once had my knowledge accessible for all who wished to learn, but humans only want to learn things they can use against their adversaries. The last one who came was a Fire Nation soldier who sought ways to destroy his enemies," Wan Shi Tong said.
"Fire Nation soldier?" I said. "What did he look like? What was he after?"
"He discovered information about the Ocean and Moon Spirits." My eyes widened, and Wan Shi Tong tilted his head. "You know who I am speaking of?"
"Y-Yes… His name is Zhao, and he was a general in the Fire Nation army. He tried to use that information to destroy the moon and waterbenders," I said. I held up my hands and quickly added, "But he failed, and it cost his life."
"Hm. Humans will do anything to achieve their goals. The means have no limits. Now," Wan Shi Tong thrust his face close to us, "what are your goals?"
Sokka elbowed Aang's back. "Go on, do your thing," he whispered.
"My thing?" Aang faced Wan Shi Tong and cleared his throat. "We are only here to gain knowledge. Professor Zei has spent his entire life looking for this library, and we accompanied him. We have no intentions of seeking knowledge to destroy."
Wan Shi Tong's eyes narrowed. He stood straight. "Very well. My library is open to the Avatar and his companions… on one condition. To receive my knowledge, each of you must contribute knowledge. What do you have to offer?"
My blood ran cold. Do I even have anything to offer?
Professor Zei took off his backpack and opened it. He pulled out a large book and offered it to Wan Shi Tong. "I offer this tome."
Katara stepped forward. "I have a waterbending scroll."
"Uh… I have a wanted poster of myself," Aang said.
"Ta-da!" Sokka held out a piece of string he had tied into a butterfly.
I searched my pockets and backpack frantically. My hand brushed against paper in my backpack. I pulled out Iroh's letter. My fingers tightened around the scroll, and I stood.
"It's short, but I have a letter from a retired Fire Nation General, and the former Crown Prince of the Fire Nation," I said.
Wan Shi Tong looked between our offerings. "I accept some offerings more than others…" He shot a pointed glare at Sokka, who smiled nervously. Wan Shi Tong waved his wing, and one by one, our items disappeared from our hands. The letter's weight left me and I sighed. "Enjoy the library."
Wan Shi Tong opened his wings and hopped off the bridge. We looked over the railing and watched him disappear into the library below.
"I'm sorry you had to give up your letter," Katara said. "I would have given you something else to give if you had asked."
I shook my head. "It's fine, really. I'm okay about parting with it. At least we're here."
"Yes! We are here! Here in Wan Shi Tong's library!" Professor Zei cried. He stretched out his arms. "It will take me until the end of time to read every piece in here… But I'm prepared! I packed some snacks!"
We entered one of the walkways, bookshelves on either side of us. Every few feet, there were mini aisles with more bookshelves.
"There's so much stuff here," I said. "It'll take forever to find what you're looking for."
"Wan Shi Tong and his knowledge seekers know where everything is in this place," Professor Zei said. "If we find one of the little critters, they can help us find what we want."
"There's one." Aang pointed to one of the knowledge seekers creeping down the hallway; it was even the same one we saw enter the library. The knowledge seeker's ears perked up. It saw us and walked over. It sat in front of us and tilted its head curiously. "Anyone have anything in particular?"
"I have no preference, but I'll follow," Professor Zei said. "I don't want to get lost."
Aang turned to the knowledge seeker. "What do you recommend for us?"
The knowledge seeker turned and slowly walked away. We followed it down the main aisle and through some of the branched-off aisles. It stopped and sat next to a bookshelf.
"Thanks," Aang said. He scanned the bookshelf. "Hey, this shelf has a bunch of information about the Avatar."
Katara pulled a book off the shelf and skimmed through it. "Did you know that one of your past lives was left-handed?"
"Really? Which one?" Aang stepped closer, and the two read the book.
Professor Zei scanned a bookshelf on the other side, a tall stack of books already balanced in his arms.
"Are you sure you can carry all of those?" I said.
"Oh, yes, I'm perfectly fine," Professor Zei said. "I feel like I can carry the world on my shoulders right now!"
I chuckled nervously and stepped away. I wonder how Toph and Appa are doing. The poor girl must be so bored right now…
As I searched the shelves, I noticed someone move in my peripheral. I looked and watched Sokka pull a book from a shelf several feet away. He turned his back to us, stuffed the book in his bag, and walked away. He turned the corner. I knitted my eyebrows and followed him.
Sokka stopped at the end of the hall and hovered over a display case. He pulled out his machete, slid it underneath the glass, and lifted the case off. He slowly slid a burnt piece of paper out of the display case.
"What are you doing?" I said.
Sokka yelped, and his machete flew from his hand. He cringed as it clattered to the ground, and he scooped it back up.
"Nothing," he said.
"Stealing is a little more than nothing. I saw you slip things into your bag. Are you trying to make Wan Shi Tong distrust us?"
"This is all to gain knowledge; you have your ways, and I have mine. Now, check this out." Sokka held out the burnt paper. "What do you think this 'darkest day' means?"
I looked at the paper. It was stiff and thin, and if not handled with extreme care, it could rip easily. The only words written on it were, "The darkest day in Fire Nation history."
"I don't know. Stop trying to change the subject," I said.
"Fine, then. Lecture me on the way to the Fire Nation section," Sokka said. He ran past me.
"Sokka!" I cried. I chased after him. "What are you going to do?"
"I just want to know what happened on the Fire Nation's darkest day. Aren't you even a little bit curious?"
"Of course I am, but the way you're handling things is unnerving."
"Then while I'm learning what I'm after, you can peruse the Fire Nation stuff. You don't have to get involved."
Sokka stumbled to a stop at the end of the tunnel. I stopped next to him and peered inside. I gasped quietly. The room was dark, with only the light from down the hall giving us sight. Through the dimness, I saw ash piles lining the walls.
"It's all gone…" Sokka said. He clenched his fist. "Just when I thought we could get an advantage on the Fire Nation, they've already destroyed everything!"
"You are seeking knowledge to destroy," I said. "When Wan Shi Tong finds out, he's going to stuff our heads and mount them on the walls!"
"More like if he finds out."
"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? Zhao was the last person who did what you're trying to do, and now he's dead because of it!"
"I'm not trying to destroy the Fire Nation or get rid of the sun. We need this if we want Aang to succeed in defeating the Fire Lord. Any information that we can get our hands on will put us on the path to winning this war. I'm doing this for the people I want to protect. I don't see you doing anything!"
My eyes widened, and I clenched my fists.
"Hey, what's going on?" Katara said over my shoulder. She, Aang, and Professor Zei stood behind me.
I turned and walked past them. "I'm leaving."
"Ashe…"
I ignored them and walked out of the tunnel. I arrived at our entrance, the long piece of rope still stable. Wiping my hands against my legs, I grabbed the rope and began to climb.
What am I doing? I scoffed.
I reached the top of the tower and climbed onto the window. The open air soothed my skin, and the breeze blew away the murky, cramped feeling the library gave me. I peered down to the ground, several feet below. I gulped. Appa rested at the foot of the tower.
"Appa-"
The tower rumbled violently. I gasped and clung to the window. I looked below.
The ground's getting closer? My eyes widened. I looked into the tower. Waterfalls of desert sand poured from outside and created mounds on the bookshelves and aisles. The library's sinking!
"Toph!" I cried. Toph was already on her feet. She pounded her hand against the ground, and the area around her hardened into dirt. She shoved her fists into the side of the tower, halting the fall.
Appa stood nearby, startled by the sinking tower. Prepping myself on the windowsill, I leaped forward. I fell into the saddle, slamming my arm against the leather. Pain burned in my chest, and I cried out and clutched my scar. I sat up.
"Hang on, Toph!" I said.
"Something's… coming!" Toph cried through gritted teeth.
"Huh?" I turned and saw a cloud of dust fast-approaching. Gliders raced towards us. I recognized them from the Misty Palms Oasis; it was the sandbenders.
One thrust his hands out, and a mound of sand shot towards us. A haze of dust hit and surrounded me and Appa. Appa roared and bucked.
"Whoa!" I cried. I clung to the saddle and slowly climbed onto Appa's head. I stroked his fur. "It's okay, buddy! It's okay!"
"Ashe! What's going on?!" Toph called. I couldn't see her through the dust.
The sandbenders hopped off the gliders and surrounded Appa. They twirled pieces of rope with weighted bags attached at the ends. They threw their weights. I popped the lids off my water skins and waved my arms. The double water whips cracked and sliced the ropes. The weights flew over my head and landed in a sand dune. A sharp pain ignited in my chest, and I gasped. My water whips faltered, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain.
A gritty tidal wave smashed into me, and I was launched off Appa. I hit the ground, and all I saw was darkness. I tried to move, but my body was covered by an incredible weight. The weight was hot, and it pinned my arms to my sides.
Where am I? Where am I?! I couldn't breathe. I couldn't see. I couldn't speak. Somebody, help me! Help me!
The weight pushed off me with a gust of wind. I opened my eyes. Despite the intense heat, I had broken into a cold sweat. I wheezed, but no air seemed to reach my lungs; like someone had poked a hole in them. I rolled over onto my side and held my arms. Sand coated my clothes and skin. I slowly lifted my head.
The sandbenders had gotten more weights, and they tossed them over Appa. Appa thrashed around, but there were too many sandbenders. Appa collapsed, and his legs were bound. They tied him to a glider, climbed on, and rode away.
"A… ppa…" I gasped.
My head hit the sand, and my eyes drooped closed.
