"What's out here?" Sokka asked. Everyone was currently standing, except Aang, who was sitting in a meditation pose without actually meditating, on a dry, dusty area. There wasn't much grass around, but there were plenty of little holes.
"A lot, actually. There's hundreds of little-" Toph started, but was cut off by Aang.
"Shh! I know you can see underground, but don't ruin the surprise. Just watch." The Airbender blew into an instrument, playing one note. A groundhog popped out and screamed the same note. Aang laughed and played another, prompting another groundhog to yell in response. "Yeah! I'm putting an orchestra together." Aang spoke.
"Orchestra, huh? Well, la, de da." Sokka told him. Aang continued to play, and one after another, groundhogs poked out of the holes in the ground to join him. Momo jumped into a hole after one, emerging empty-handed out of another hole. Katara laughed as Aang and the groundhogs kept going. You rolled your eyes, putting your hands on your hips. "I've had enough of this." Sokka said. He moved towards Aang, placing his finger in the instrument, plugging up the music. "This is great and all, but don't we have more important things to worry about?" He asked, standing to his full height. "We should be making plans."
"We did make plans." Toph countered. "We're all picking mini vacations."
"There's no time for vacations." Sokka argued.
"I agree with Sokka." You voiced. "We don't have time for this."
Katara rolled her eyes. "Who's surprised that you agree with Sokka?"
"Who's surprised you don't?" You shot back, placing your fists on your hips and leaning forward slightly.
"I'm learning the elements as fast as I can. I practice hard every day with Toph and Katara." Aang assured. "I've been training my arrow off."
"Yeah. What's wrong with having a little fun in our downtime?" Katara inquired, stepping forward.
"Even if you do master all the elements, then what?" Sokka asked Aang. "It's not like we have a map of the Fire Nation." He gestured to the side of him. "Should we just head west until we find the Firelord's house?" He suddenly developed a goofy tone. "Knock, knock. Hello? Firelord? Is anyone home?" He played out before turning to Aang sharply. "I don't think so. We need some intelligence if we're going to win this war."
"Alright. We'll first finish our vacations, and then we can look for Sokka's….intelligence." Katara spoke. Your eyes narrowed at the insult to your friend, but before you could retort, Aang was already holding the map out to the girl.
"Your turn, Katara." He informed. "Where would you like to go on your mini vacation?"
"Hmm. How about the Misty Palms Oasis?" She suggested. "That sounds refreshing."
"Oh, yeah. I've been there." Aang started. "It's a pristine natural iceberg. And I don't usually use the word pristine. It's one of nature's natural wonders."
"Natural wonders, huh?" You sassed to Aang. You had arrived at the oasis, where the iceberg had melted, and the palm trees had died, leaving only dirt, dust and sand.
"Must've changed ownership since I was here." Aang explained guiltily. He laughed nervously, stepping further into the sandy area. The sign behind you fell where you were all just standing, the old wood shattering and splintering off in pieces. You all continued through the small place, coming to a tent and venturing inside. It was dark, lit only by a few lamps. There were a few people at some tables, and a man wearing lots of traveling things was standing in front of a counter.
"One mango, please." The man spoke. The other man behind the counter pulled out two swords and used them to pull out a bowl made of ice. He then cut up some fruit and put it in the bowl, then poured in some water to make it drinkable.
"I don't see anything wrong with having one of those fruity beverages while planning our strategy." Sokka noted, pushing past you. You watched as he approached the counter, the man with the mango drink now leaving. You all followed Sokka, and just as he was about to order, you heard a gasp. You turned, seeing that the man had spilled his drink on Aang's clothes.
"No worries. I clean up easy." Aang told him. He used airbending to get the liquid off of him. The man gasped softly.
"You're a living relic!" He exclaimed softly. Your eyebrows bowed low in alarm and concern.
"Thanks. I try." Aang replied.
"An air nomad." The man recognized, holding his chin in thought. "Right in front of me. Professor Zei: head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se University." The man introduced himself, bowing politely. "Tell me, which of the Air Temples do you hail from?" Zei asked, holding Aang's arm out so he can look at it.
"The Southern Temple." Aang answered.
"Oh! Splendid! Tell me, what was the primary agricultural product of your people?" Zei asked, measuring Aang's head.
"Uhh. Are fruit pies an agricultural product?"
"Truly fascinating. That is one for the journal."
"So, professor. You're obviously a well-traveled guy." Sokka started. "Do you have a more current map? Ours seems to be a little dated." He admitted.
"Certainly." Zei handed Sokka a map, which the teen rolled out onto the table.
"What? No Firenation? Doesn't anybody have a good map of that place?" Sokka whined, looking up at the ceiling in exasperation.
"You've taken a lot of trips into the desert." Katara noted, looking over the map.
"All in vain, I'm afraid." Zei murmured. "I've found lost civilizations all over the Earth Kingdom, but I haven't managed to find the crowned jewel: Wan Shi Tong's library."
"You've spent years walking through the desert… to find some guy's library?" Toph questioned in disbelief, her feet resting on a chair in front of her as she leaned back.
"This library is more valuable than gold, little lady. It is said to contain a vast collection of knowledge. And knowledge… is priceless."
You raised an eyebrow at the man's passion for something as simple as a library.
"Hm. Sounds like good times." Toph remarked, clearly not believing it.
"Oh, it is!" Zei agreed, not picking up on her sarcastic tone. "According to legend, it was built by the great knowledge spirit, Wan Shi Tong, with the help of his foxy knowledge seekers."
"Oh, so this spirit has attractive assistants, huh?" Sokka questioned, a smirk on his face.
You face palmed. "Sokka." You scolded.
"I think he means they look like actual foxes." Katara corrected, pushing her brother away.
"You're both right." Zei piped up. "Handsome little creatures." He pulled a page out of his backpack. "Wan Shi Tong and his knowledge seekers collected books from all over the world, and put them on display for mankind to read, so that we can better ourselves." He informed, laying the page down on a table so everyone could see it.
On the page was a drawing of a large structure.
"Is that the library?" You asked, pointing down at the image.
"It is."
"If this place has books from all over the world, do you think they've got info on the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked as Aang loudly sucked on his straw for his drink. "A map, maybe?"
"I wouldn't know." Zei admitted. "But if such a thing exists, it's in Wan Shi Tong's library." He declared, pointing at the page.
Sokka rested his hand on his chin in thought before speaking up. "Then it's settled!" He exclaimed happily. "Aang, I do believe it's my turn. I'd like to spend my vacation… at the library!" He declared, pointing his finger at the ceiling.
"Uh, hey, what about me?" Toph asked. "When do I get to pick?"
"You gotta work here a little longer before you're qualified for vacation time." Sokka informed.
Toph slammed her drink angrily on the table.
You shook your head. "I haven't picked anything either, Toph." You offered in an attempt to make her feel better.
"Of course there's the matter of finding it." Zei reminded, still thinking about the library. "I've made several trips into the Si Wong Desert, and almost died each time. I'm afraid that desert's impossible to cross." He spoke sadly.
"Professor, would you like to see our sky bison?" Sokka inquired, smirking.
"A sky bison!" Zei pointed excitedly at Sokka. "You actually have one!?"
"Yep. Follow us." Sokka waved, leading the man outside.
Appa was growling at a small group of people as they stood not far away from the creature.
"Sandbenders! Shoo! Away from the bison!" Zei hollered, approaching them.
The sandbenders walked away, stepping on a boat-like object and disappearing into the distance.
"All aboard." You said, climbing atop the bison and sitting in his saddle, helping the others up.
Appa flew through the desert, the day getting hotter and hotter. Sokka had taken his shirt and had it on his head to protect himself from the sun's blistering rays. He picked up a telescope lying in the saddle and raised it to his eye, looking around for the library.
Zei sat on Appa's head with Aang, and he crawled forward, looking down into the creature's eyes. "Tell me, sky bison… are you the last of your breed?"
Appa made a noise.
"Oh, delightful!" Zei exclaimed. "I wish I spoke his tongue!" He reached down to pet Appa's head. "Oh, the stories this beast could tell."
Momo climbed over, making various noises.
"Shh, chatty monkey!"
"Wow." Aang murmured.
"What is it, Aang?" You asked, climbing to the front of the saddle.
"It shouldn't be too hard finding a place like this out here." He declared, looking at the image.
You raised an eyebrow. "That depends. Depending on how long it was here, it could be buried by now."
"Ughh!" Toph groaned. "Does this place even exist!?"
"Some say it doesn't." Zei offered.
Toph's eyes widened before narrowing. "Shouldn't you have mentioned that before?" Toph groaned, falling over in exasperation.
"Great. We could be searching for a myth." You mumbled, crossing your arms.
Appa flew over the sand for several more minutes when Toph spoke up again.
"There it is!"
Everyone looked over the edge of the saddle, seeing nothing.
"That's what it'll sound like when one of you spots it." She hissed, before waving her hand in front of her face, eyes wide.
"It shouldn't be this hard to spot a giant ornate building from the air." Katara noted a little while later.
"Down there! What's that?" Sokka asked, pointing at a tower in the distance.
You squinted, trying to see.
Aang steered Appa, landing next to the structure.
Katara, Aang and Zei were the first to climb off, while Sokka and you helped Toph down before climbing down to join the others.
"Forget it." Katara spoke with a sigh. "It's obviously not what we're looking for." She said, looking down at the parchment. "The building in this drawing is enormous."
"And a lot wider." You deadpanned, looking over Katara's shoulder.
Aang looked from the other side.
"What kind of animal is that?"
You turned upon hearing Sokka's inquiry, and saw a little gray creature with something in its mouth. "It's a fox!" You exclaimed, watching it crawl up the tower and climb into the top window.
"One of the knowledge seekers!" Zei shouted with a gasp. "We must be close to the library!"
"Wouldn't that be the library?" You asked, pointing at the structure the fox had just went into. "Why would it go in otherwise?"
"Y/n's right, look!" Sokka yelled, pointing down at the drawing. The tower held a striking resemblance to the top of the library. "It's completely buried."
"The library is buried!?" Zei hollered, hands flying to his head. "My life's ambition is full of sand!" He collapsed on the ground in sorrow.
"It's everywhere." You noted, looking at the piles upon piles.
Zei pulled out a tiny scoop. "Time to begin excavating." He declared, beginning to dig at the sand.
Toph placed her hand on the tower. "Actually, that won't be necessary. The inside seems to be completely intact. And it's huge!"
"That fox made it in through the window." Sokka recalled, holding his chin with his hand in thought. "I say we climb up there and give it a look."
"I say 'you guys go ahead without me'." Toph told him, crossing her arms.
"You've got something against libraries?" Katara questioned.
"I've held books before, and, I've got to tell you, they don't exactly do it for me."
"Oh, right." Katara mumbled a little awkwardly. "Sorry."
"Let me know if they have something you can listen to."
"So the question becomes… how do we get in?" You asked, looking up at the top of the tower.
"Well, it's a good thing I packed some rope." Sokka declared, rushing up to the bison and taking some out of the saddle. He tied one end to his boomerang and threw it in the window, beginning to climb up.
You followed as Aang said 'goodbye' to Appa.
Everyone except Toph (and Appa) climbed down the rope, entering the library.
"Oh, it's breathtaking!" Zei exclaimed, his eyes full of wonder. "The spirits spared no expense when designing this place! Look at those beautiful buttresses!"
Sokka and Aang laughed.
You rolled your eyes.
"What's funny?" Zei questioned, looking up at the two.
"Nothing." Aang denied casually. "We just like architecture."
"As do I."
You grunted softly as your feet hit the floor of the library. The sound echoed in the large room.
"Oh my word!" Zei exclaimed, taking off his hat and looking around.
"What is it?" You questioned, stopping by his side.
"The exquisite mosaic handiwork of this tile-" He trailed off, seeing the looks of confusion everyone was giving him. "Nice owl." He translated.
Sokka looked over to you, about to say something, when his eyes widened and he grew silent. He grabbed your and Katara's hands and pulled you both behind a pillar, while Aang pulled Zei along.
You looked at Sokka questioningly, but he wordlessly pointed to the side. You turned, seeing a large, black and white owl walk into the room.
The creature observed the rope before turning, his head spinning all the way around as he faced Aang. "I know you're back there." The owl said.
His voice sent shivers down your spine.
Zei smiled, stepping out from behind the pillar and approaching the creature. "Hello, I'm Zei! Professor of-"
"Is he serious?" You asked, turning to face Sokka as Zei continued his lengthy introduction.
Sokka shrugged.
"You should leave the way you came." The owl said. "Unless you want to become a stuffed head of anthropology."
You turned, seeing a few animal's heads on a pillar. Your eyes widened. What was going on?
"Are you the spirit who brought this library to the physical world?" Sokka questioned, walking out.
Katara and Aang walked out as well, following him.
"Indeed. I am Wan Shi Tong, he who knows ten-thousand things."
"Ten-thousand doesn't seem like a lot, considering you're a spirit and supposed to be 'all knowing'." You confessed, walking out from behind the pillar to join your friends. You stopped in front of the owl, crossing your arms and hoping that you looked braver than you felt. The owl was quite tall, and looked like he would eat you if given the opportunity.
"And you are obviously humans. Disrespectful and immature. Humans, by the way, are no longer permitted in my study."
"Anything else against humans?" Aang asked, tilting his head.
Wan Shi Tong hummed. "Humans only bother learning things to get the edge on other humans."
A bead of sweat trickled down the side of your face.
"Like that firebender who came to this place a few years ago, looking to destroy his enemy." The owl finished. "So." Wan Shi Tong lunged forward at Sokka, looking him in the eye. "Who are you trying to destroy?"
Sokka began sweating as well. "What!? No, no, no destroying." He lied, panic evident in his voice. "We're not into that."
"Then why have you come here?"
"Umm. Knowledge for knowledge's sake?" Sokka offered, shrugging his shoulders.
"If you're going to lie to an all-knowing spirit being, you should at least put some effort into it."
"I'm not lying. I'm here with the Avatar, and he's the bridge between our worlds, he'll vouch for me." Sokka said, dragging Aang forward and patting him on the back reassuringly.
You rolled your eyes, face-palming.
"Uh, yeah. I'll vouch." Aang said, very unconvincingly, I might add. "We will not abuse the knowledge in your library, good spirit. You have my word."
Wan Shi Tong hummed in thought. "Very well. I will let you peruse my vast collection… on one condition. To prove your worth as scholars, you have to contribute some worth-while knowledge."
Zei was the first to speak up. He took a few steps forward and bowed, offering a book in his outstretched hands. "Please accept this tome as an addition to your library."
"First addition. Very nice." Wan reached a wing forward, taking the book.
Katara stepped forward, the waterbending scroll in her hands. "I have an authentic waterbending scroll." She informed.
You went to protest, but Sokka shook his head.
"These illustrations are quite stylish." Wan Shi Tong took the scroll.
Aang tapped his chin in thought. "Oh! I know!" He reached into his shirt, pulling out the wanted poster of him.
"I suppose that counts." The owl said, clearly unimpressed. He took the poster.
"Oh great spirit, check this out." Sokka requested, stepping forward with a piece of cord. He did some twisting before holding it up again. When Wan Shi Tong made no comment, Sokka explained himself. "It's a special knot! That counts as knowledge!"
"You're not very bright, are you?" He asked, reluctantly accepting the knot.
Sokka groaned.
The owl turned to you. "What do you have to offer?"
Your blood ran cold as you struggled to think of anything.
Everyone watched with curiosity to see what you would come up with.
"Can I leave and come back with something? It's outside."
"I suppose."
You scrambled up the rope, returning shortly later with a small pouch. "Does this count as knowledge?" You asked, opening the pouch slightly to reveal the exploding balls that the Duke gave Aang.
Momo hissed.
Aang frowned. "Hey, those are mi-"
You shushed him.
Wan Shi Tong accepted the bag. "Enjoy the library." He spoke, turning. Wan Shi Tong opened his wings and leapt of the walkway, gliding down several levels.
"Bright enough to fool you." Sokka muttered, walking away.
"There are so many books." You mumbled, looking around.
"Isn't it fantastic!?" Zei exclaimed, bliss on his face. He looked like he could spend the rest of his life here.
"Sokka, where are you going?" Aang questioned.
You turned, seeing Sokka leaving the group, holding up a scroll.
"I want to know what happened to the firenation on their darkest day." He explained. "This could be promising." He rushed off down the aisle.
Everyone shared glances before chasing after him.
"The information on the firenation seems to be right up here." Sokka declared, noting the firenation flag hanging above the doorway.
Upon entering, you gasped.
Everything had been turned to ash.
"Firebenders." Aang determined.
"They destroyed everything having to do with the firenation." Katara added.
"No doubt so that no one would learn their weaknesses." You grumbled, crossing your arms.
"That's so unfair!" Sokka exclaimed, falling to his knees. His hands rested on the floor, his head hanging in defeat. "Just when I think I'm one step of the firenation, it turns out they beat us here a long time ago!" He sighed, looking back up. "I need to know what happened on the darkest day."
A whining suddenly filled the silence in the air.
Everyone turned, seeing one of the knowledge collectors standing in the doorway.
"Hello?" Sokka greeted cautiously. "Little weird fox guy?"
The fox whined again, turning and looking pointedly.
"It seems it's trying to assist you." Zei noted, gesturing down at the fox.
"Um. Sure. I… guess I'll follow you." Sokka said, following the creature out.
The knowledge seeker ran off, prompting everyone to chase it. It led the group to a door and slipped through a small opening in the side.
"It looks like a flower." Katara noted.
"Or a sun." You countered.
The middle suddenly opened, revealing the fox on the other side.
Everyone stepped in, looking around.
The room was empty, except for a small, circular pillar in the middle of the room.
The fox pressed on the lever next to it and the walls of the room began to shift, depicting a night sky.
"This room is a true marvel." Zei muttered, placing his hands on his head in amazement. "A mechanical wonder! It's a planetarium that shows the heavens moving!"
The night sky shifted, revealing a bright blue sky with clouds in it. A sun moved across the image.
"Uh… this is beautiful, but how is it helpful?" Sokka questioned.
"Maybe these dials represent dates and times." Katara guessed, looking down at the pillar. "Sokka, try entering that date from the parchment you took."
Sokka leaned forward, getting in her face. "Shh! Katara!" He hissed. "Not in front of the fox, he's with the owl!"
The fox whined, its ears and head drooping.
Sokka pulled the page out of the bag he had bought when you went to find an earthbending teacher, looking at the date at the top. He placed the bag on the ground and turned the dials before pulling the lever.
Everyone watched in anticipation as the day shifted to night again.
"Wow." Aang muttered, looking around. "I got to hand it to you, Sokka, you picked the best mini vacation for sure."
The night shifted back into day, but it was still dark.
"Hey, wait. What happened to the sun?" Katara questioned.
"We must have broken it." Aang guessed.
You pursed your lips, looking at the bars that had the sun and the moon. Only the moon was visible.
"It's not broken." Sokka murmured. "The sun is behind the moon!" He exclaimed, catching on. "It's a solar eclipse! It's literally the darkest day in firenation history! Now I get it!" Sokka grabbed Aang's shoulders. "Something awful happened on that day, and I don't know what, but I know why." He began to shake the Avatar. "Firebenders lose their bending during a solar eclipse!"
Aang stumbled backwards.
"Sokka, you're a genius!" You shouted, a wide grin on your face.
"That makes sense!" Katara agreed, stepping forward. "Think of what the lunar eclipse at the North Pole did to the water benders!" She said. "This is huge." She whispered.
The fox whined a little, sitting down and looking up at the group.
"Fine." Sokka said with a smile. "You earned it." He reached into his bag and tossed a treat into the creature's mouth. It walked away, satisfied. "We've got to get this information to the Earth King at Ba Sing Se. We'll wait for the next eclipse, then we'll invade the firenation when they're totally helpless. The Firelord is going down!"
A large shadow fell over Sokka.
"Mortals are so predictable… and such terrible liars."
You looked up at the large owl, trying to find a way out of this.
He was blocking the only exit.
"You betrayed my trust." He spoke, voice deep and hostile. "From the beginning you intended to misuse this knowledge for evil purposes." He accused, stepping forward slightly.
"You don't understand!" Sokka pleaded. "If anyone's evil, it's the firenation. You saw what they did to your library. They're destructive and dangerous."
You looked away sadly. Were they all that bad?
"We need this information!" Sokka insisted.
"You think you're the first person to believe their war was justified? Countless others before you have come here, seeking weapons, or weaknesses, or battle strategies."
"Well, then maybe you shouldn't have that information in here." You grumbled to yourself.
"We had no choice! Please, we're just desperate to protect the people we love!" Aang tried to reason.
"And now, I'm going to protect what I love."
Your eyes widened in alarm.
Wan Shi Tong spread his wings and began flapping them.
Although the wind wasn't comfortable, you failed to see how this was protection.
Aang seemed to have the same thought. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm taking my knowledge back. No one will ever abuse it, again."
Sand began to run along the walls.
"He's sinking the building!" Katara shouted. "We've got to get out of here!"
"I'm afraid I can't allow that."
You turned to look back at Wan Shi Tong, only to reel back in horror. His neck had gotten longer, and his face looked all the more frightening.
"You already know too much." The owl let out a screech, lunging for the group.
Everyone yelled as they ducked out of the way, avoiding the spirit's beak.
You all rushed out of the room, running down the hallway as fast as your legs would carry you.
Wan Shi Tong was flying behind you.
Zei stopped to talk to him, but you couldn't hear. You were too far away.
Aang used airbending to pull him back, and then swat Wan off of the side. "We've got to get back to the surface!"
"Sokka, let's go!" Katara hollered.
"We don't know when the next eclipse will be." Sokka explained.
"Don't be stupid, we'll find out later!"
You rubbed furiously at your temples. "I don't know if we can!" You admitted, turning to the girl.
"Y/n's right. If we leave this place, we'll never get the information." Sokka voiced. "Aang, come with me to the planetarium for cover. Katara and Y/n, take Momo and Zei, and get out of here."
"But-"
"Go!"
Just as the word left Sokka's mouth, Wan Shi Tong's head burst through a bookshelf, looking at you and Katara.
"Hurry, Sokka!" Katara pleaded, turning to run away.
You hurried after her, Wan on your tail as you ran.
Zei ducked between two shelves to avoid the creature.
You and Katara kept running, Momo on Katara's shoulder. You both ducked behind a bookshelf, trying to quiet your breathing.
"At least I'll have one specimen to add to my collection." Wan Shi Tong said, spotting Momo's tail.
"That is really creepy, freak!" You yelled, shoving Katara to try to get her to move faster as you ran.
You both rushed through the halls, trying to get back to the rope.
Wan Shi Tong had a harder time turning corners, so you were a little ahead of him.
You had begun clambering up the rope, only to see Katara facing the owl, her hand over her canteen. "Katara, let's go!"
"Your waterbending won't do you much good, here." Wan Shi Tong informed, leaning down over her. "I've studied Northern water style, Southern water style, even foggy swamp style." He spread his wings, casting a large shadow.
Sokka suddenly yelled, crashing a book down on Wan Shi Tong's head.
You looked up, seeing Aang on his glider. He must have dropped Sokka off.
The owl fell over.
"That's called Sokka style." Sokka told the collapsed owl. "Learn it."
You continued climbing up the rope, seeing that Sokka and Katara were starting to follow you.
"Wait!" Sokka turned his head. "Professor, let's go!"
"I'm not leaving!" Zei replied. "I can't. I've spent too long trying to find this place."
"Are you nuts!?" You hollered, noticing that he was clearly in no hurry to leave. Sand was still pouring in the building, but Zei was sitting on the floor, surrounded by books.
"There's not another collection of knowledge like this on earth." Zei reasoned. "I could spend an eternity in here."
The room fell silent for a moment, people seemingly trying to figure out how to respond.
"Just go!" Katara shouted.
You began to keep climbing, only to holler as the rope began to shake. You looked down, seeing Wan Shi Tong's beak around the rope, shaking it furiously.
The rope came loose, and everyone shouted, falling to the floor.
Aang swept by on his glider, Sokka and Katara grabbing on while you grabbed onto their legs. Aang began flying up towards the window, Wan Shi Tong snapping at your feet.
You were suddenly blinded with bright light as you exited the library.
Aang collapsed onto the sand, you, Sokka and Katara rolling.
Toph let out a grunt as she fell backwards, the building quickly getting sucked into the sand.
You stood and walked over, seeing a giant crater where the tower previously was.
"We got it!" Sokka shouted, holding up a rolled piece of parchment. "There's a solar eclipse coming! The firenation's in trouble now!" He embraced his sister in a hug.
Aang stood as well, looking around. He approached Toph, who was sitting on the sand, hands holding her head. "Where's Appa?" He questioned softly.
Toph simply shook her head.
Aang gasped, tears beginning to freely stream down his face.
"Appa's gone?" You questioned.