The Library.
The gang had stopped at a landscape that is mostly barren save for small shoots of grass which bend in the breeze. A range of mountains can be seen in the distance. Aang was sitting on the ground, holding a flute in both hands. In front of him, the ground is littered with holes.
"What's out here?" Sokka asked.
Toph kneels and places her palm on the ground "A lot actually. There's hundreds of little-".
Aang turns around and silences Toph "Shhh! I know you can see underground, but don't ruin the surprise".
"Well Aang, what do you have for us?" Kasumi asked
"Just watch" Aang places the flute to his lips and plays a note. Suddenly a small animal called a prairie dog emerges from a hole on Aang's right and sings the same note. Aang watched as the prairie dog descends back into the hole "Heheheha, yeah!" He plays another note, and another prairie dog emerges from a hole and sings the same note, just as the previous one had done. Aang smiles and raises his hands and the flute above his head "I'm putting an orchestra together".
Sokka looked very disinterested "Orchestra, huh? Well la dee da".
One after the other, a prairie dog emerges from a hole and each sings a note in descending order. They all descend back down their burrows as Momo leaps down the hole to the left. A moment later, his head emerges from the middle hole. Aang plays more notes, and each time a different prairie dog emerges from one of the burrows and matches it. Katara laughs as she watches Momo chase after each prairie dog. Kasumi giggled, it was cute to see singing animals like that.
Sokka runs up to Aang and plugs his finger into the other end of the flute, muffling the sound and causing Aang's cheeks to swell with air "This is great and all, but don't we have more important things to worry about? We should be making plans".
"We did make plans. We're all picking mini-vacations" Toph said.
"There's no time for vacations" Sokka argued.
Aang looks up at Sokka "I'm learning the elements as fast as I can. I practice hard everyday with Toph and Katara. I've been training my arrows off".
Katara walks forward a few steps "Yeah. What's wrong with having a little fun in our downtime?".
"Rest and downtime is just as important as training, Sokka" Kasumi agreed.
Sokka crossed his arms "Even if you do master all of the elements, then what? It's not like we have a map of the fire nation. Should we just head west until we reach the Fire Lord's house? Knock, knock! Hello, Fire Lord? Anybody home? I don't think so. We need some intelligence if we're gonna win this war".
Aang plays one more note on his flute, and a prairie dog pops out of a hole directly underneath Sokka and sings, surprising him. Katara giggles at Sokka as Momo peeks down the hole. Aang drops the flute and bends a small gust of air to get up on his feet.
"Alright, we'll finish our vacations, and then we'll look for Sokka's intelligence" Katara joked.
"I fear we will need more than a map to find something that rare" Kasumi joined in on the joke, causing everyone, minus Sokka, to laugh.
Your turn, Katara" Aang holds up their map and Katara looked at it "Where would you like to go on your mini-vacation?".
Katara leans towards the map and studies it, placing her hand on her chin. She then placed her finger on the map "How about the Misty Palms Oasis? That sounds refreshing".
"Oh yeah, I've been there. It's a pristine natural ice spring, and I usually don't use the word pristine. It's one of nature's wonders" Aang said.
"An Ice spring? Well it's not like we need a hot spring in this heat. I could go for a nice refreshing cold" Kasumi said.
But when they arrived at the Misty Palms Oasis... it wasn't really what they expected. Inside the walls are several small houses made of dry mud. There are no palm trees, and the ice spring in the middle is barely visible.
"Must have changed ownership since I was here" Aang laughs nervously and proceeds through the gates with the rest of the group.
"Well, maybe we can get something refreshing" Kasumi said.
An old sign hanging overhead falls to the ground with a loud crash and shatters into several pieces, causing the group to turn around in surprise. The group walks past the evaporating ice spring. It is only a few feet high, and a dog with black fur is licking it for water. Loitering outside a doorway are men wearing light brown clothing and wrapped in rags. They glance at the group as they head inside the building.
Before Sokka can enter, the man closest to him hocks phlegm and spits it at the ground. Sokka steps back to avoid the spit wad as it lands. Sokka looks down in disgust before he glares at the man, frowning and balling up his fists, while the man gives him a toothless smirk. Katara quickly turns around and pulls Sokka away and into the doorway, in order to prevent a fight from breaking out. Good thing too, because Sokka was very close to give the man a lesson of what happens when you are being disgusting to people.
Inside they see the bartender. He is bald and has a short brown beard. He is wearing a green tunic, a white apron and brown armbands around his biceps. There are two thin swords hanging across his back by leather straps, forming an X. Speaking to the bartender is a man wearing loose white clothing and a circular white hat. Hanging from his back are a backpack and a sleeping bag. From his waist hangs a large leather pouch.
"One mango, please" He said.
The bartender nods. He pulls both swords from their sheaths. He swings at one of the bowls, cutting it from the stack, then picks it up with both swords and places it on a cutting board in the middle. He then cuts down four fruits that are hanging overhead, two large yellow ones and two smaller red ones. The bartender then proceeds to rapidly dice the fruit into several smaller pieces with both swords and dumps them and some water into a bowl to complete the drink. He drops a bamboo straw and a small, green umbrella into the bowl as the finishing touch. The man in white takes the drink and drops an Earth Kingdom coin on the board which the bartender takes.
"Impressive" Kasumi mumbled to herself. She had a feeling Hitomi made breakfast in a similar way.
Sokka stares thoughtfully with his hand placed against his chin "I don't see anything wrong with having one of those fruity beverages while we plan our strategy" He walks towards the bar, shoving Aang and Toph in the process "Excuse me!".
The man in white takes his drink and turns around, but then bumps into Aang, causing him to spill it onto Aang. Katara gasps as she witnesses the accident, Sokka stares at the man in white, and Aang looks down at his wet clothes.
"No worries, I clean up easy" Aang places his knuckles together in front of his chest and bends a gust of air around his body, drying his clothes and causing everyone else's clothes to be blown back.
The man in white grabs the brim of his hat to keep it from being blown away and gasps at Aang with amazement "You're a living relic!".
"Thanks. I try" Aang said.
The man places a hand to his chin "An Air Nomad, right in front of me" He places his right fist into his left hand and gives a slight bow to Aang, who bows as well "Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se University" He then grabs Aang's hand and examines it "Tell me, which of the Air temples do you hail from?".
"The southern temple" Aang answered.
"Zei begins measuring Aang's skull with a pair of calipers and speaking excitedly "Oh, splendid! Now tell me, what was the primary agricultural product of your people?".
"Uh, are fruit pies an agricultural product?" Aang said nervously.
Zei: placed a hand on Aang's shoulder "Oh, truly fascinating. That is one for the journal".
"Excuse me sir, but could you give our friend some room to breath?" Kasumi said before she was handed a drink by Sokka.
"Oh, sorry, I get excited when I see something fascinating" Zei said before looking at Kasumi "Say, young lady. You don't look to be from any places I am familiar with. The fire nation comes close, but you lack their intensity".
"I am from a far away place... a very far away place" Kasumi said.
Zei thinks on that "A land no one else knows about... fascinating".
"So professor, you're obviously a well traveled guy. Do you have a more current map? Ours seems to be a little dated" Sokka said.
Zei smiled "Certainly".
He gives them a map and Sokka unrolls a it onto a table. Toph is laying across two chairs, her legs crossed and sipping her fruit drink. Aang is now holding a drink of his own. Sokka takes a moment to examine the map.
"What, no Fire Nation?" He straitening his back and puts his hands on his face "Doesn't anybody have a good map of that place?".
Katara places a hand on the map "You've made a lot of trips into the desert".
"All in vain, I'm afraid. I've found lost civilizations all over the Earth Kingdom, but I haven't managed to find the crown jewel... Wan Shi Tong's Library" Zei said.
"You spent years walking through the desert to find some guy's library?" Toph asked a little amused.
"This library is more valuable than gold, little lady" Zei raises his palms in a gesture "It is said to contain a vast collection of knowledge, and knowledge... is priceless".
"Mm, sounds like good times" Toph said sarcastically.
"Oh, it is. According to legend, it was built by the great knowledge spirit, Wan Shi Tong, with the help of his foxy knowledge seekers" Zei said.
"Oh, so this spirit has attractive assistants, huh?" Sokka asked with a smile, making Kasumi face palm.
Katara gives her brother's head a small shove "I think he means they look like actual foxes, Sokka".
"You're both right. Handsome little creatures" Zei said as he reaches into his pouch and pulls out and unrolls a large parchment "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 might better ourselves".
"A place of endless knowledge from around the world. That does sound like an interesting place to visit" Kasumi mused.
"Indeed, you can learn just about everything there is to know about the world in this amazing place" Zei confirmed.
"If this place has books from all over the world, do you think they've got info on the Fire Nation? A map maybe?" Sokka asked.
"I wouldn't know, but if such a thing exists, it's in Wan Shi Tong's Library" Zei answered.
Sokka puts a hand to his chin and thinks for a second "Then it's settled. Aang, I do believe it's my turn. I'd like to spend my vacation..." He points his finger into the air "AT THE LIBRARY!".
Kasumi smacks him on the back on the head "No need to shout! We are right here".
Toph waved her hand to gain the others attention "Uh, hey? What about me? When do I get to pick?".
Sokka rubbed the sore spot on his head before crossing his arms "You gotta work here a little longer before you qualify for vacation time".
Toph slams her bowl on the table before crossing her arms and pouting.
"Of course there's the matter of finding it. I've made several trips into the Si Wong Desert, and almost died each time. I'm afraid that desert's impossible to cross" Zei said sadly.
Sokka and Aang, who are exchanging glances before Sokka spoke "Professor, would you like to see our sky bison?".
"A sky bison? You actually have one?" Zei asked in excitment.
Outside Appa and several of the men in rags standing outside the oasis walls. Appa growls at the men and scoots away.
Zei runs in and speaks in a commanding tone "Sandbenders! Shoo! Away from the bison!".
The sandbenders walk away before going onboard one of the sand gliders. One of them bends a whirlwind of sand underneath the sail, causing the glider to be driven away. Aang watches the sandbenders' retreating forms. Kasumi narrowed her eyes, those guys seemed a little to interested in Appa. She worried they might come back. Later they were all riding on Appa as they fly through the desert. Sokka takes a spyglass and turns to the side.
Zei climbs forward and sticks his head out so he can speak to the flying bison "Tell me, sky bison. Are you the last of your breed?" Appa responds by giving a low roar "Oh, delightful! I only wish I spoke his tongue" Zei runs his fingers through Appa's fur "Oh, the stories this beast could tell" Momo comes to sit next to Zei and begins chattering. Zei turns to Momo and places a finger to his lips "Shush, chatty monkey".
Aang was examining the drawing of the library "Wow, shouldn't be too hard to find a place like this out here".
"I wouldn't be to sure about that, Aang. Given that it seems that only a few even knows about this place, it could be because it's not easy to find" Kasumi said as she looked around. The desert is a dangerous place to be in. They could not fly around for to long.
They flew around for a while until Toph became frustrated "Aw, does this place even exist?".
Zei smiled and holds his finger up "Some say it doesn't".
"Shouldn't you have mentioned that before?" Toph falls onto her side and groans, putting her dirty feet over the saddle's edge.
They continue to fly for a while and Appa gives a low roar. The heat was starting to get to him, and his fur didn't help at all. Kasumi tried to keep cool by focusing on cold thoughts. She was trained to handle the extreme nature, but even she could't handle desert heat for to long.
Toph suddenly sits up and points out into the desert. "There it is!".
Everyone quickly looked in the direction Toph is pointing. Only to see empty sand dunes that pass by, the same thing they've been looking at ever since they headed out. They turn towards Toph and glare at her for tricking them.
"That's what it will sound like when one of you spots it" Toph turns to the others and gives them a blank grin, waving her hand in front of her eyes to remind them of the fact that she is blind. She quickly goes back to clutching the saddle.
They continued their long and rough trip through the desert and still not sign of what they were looking for. At this rate Appa would be to tired to continue and they would need to land in order for him to rest. But resting in the desert wouldn't do them much good.
"It shouldn't be this hard to spot a giant ornate building from the air" Katara said.
"In a desert this large, it will take time to find anything at all... and there is still the smallest chance that the library dosen't even exist" Kasumi said before she sighed "But I hope it does. I do not want our trip through this hot place to be for nothing".
"Down there. What's that?" Sokka suddenly spoke.
Aang perks up, causing Momo to be awakened. Everyone look in the direction Sokka is pointing and sees something that looks like a spire. Appa descending down to the spire. They land in the shade and jump of Appa to investigate what they found.
Katara looked disappointed "Forget it. It's obviously not what we're looking for. The building in this drawing is enormous".
They all turn their heads as something glimmers atop one of the sand dunes in the distance. A large gray fox climbs over the top of the dune. In its mouth is a scroll. It pauses and turns to look at the humans, the scroll in its mouth glints in the sunlight.
"What kind of animal is that?" Sokka asked.
"Wait, is that a fox?" Kasumi asked as The fox gallops towards the spire's base. Instead of stopping, the fox begins running up the spire at a ninety degree angle.
"I think that was one of the knowledge seekers" Zei said as the fox jumps through the window "Oh, we must be close to the library!".
"No, this is the library. Look!" Sokka said as he compared the spire on the library picture to the one in front of them "It's completely buried".
"The library is buried!" Zei runs forward before falling to his hands and knees depressed "My life's ambition is now full of sand" He then smiled, lifts his head and reveals a small shovel in hand "Well, time to start excavating".
He attempts to unearth the library using the tiny shovel. Kasumi shook her head, it could take weeks if not years before he has dug out something that big.
Toph places her palm against the spire "Actually, that won't be necessary. The inside seems to be completely intact, and it's huge".
"That fox thingy went in through a window. I say we climb up there and give it a look" Sokka said.
Toph has her arms crossed "I say you guys go ahead without me".
"You got something against libraries?" Katara asked.
"I've held books before, and I gotta tell you, they don't exactly do it for me" Toph answered.
Katara let out a nervous laugh and scratches the back of her head "Oh, right. Sorry".
"Let me know if they have something you can listen to" Toph said.
"I can always read some books for you" Kasumi suggested.
"Thanks, but no thanks" Toph said.
Kasumi shrugged and grabbed some rop before leaping as high up the spire as she could, she took out he ice dagger and stabbed it in to the spire before using it to launch herself up to the window. She tied the rope before dropping it down to the others could climb up. They got inside and what they saw was utterly breath taking. The large room is supported by many pillars and archways. The visage of an owl is carved into the arcs. Past the archways are long rows of bookshelves. The area is dimly lit by green lamps hanging from the walls.
"Oh, it's breath taking. The spirits spared no expense designing this place" Zei said in awe as they climbed down "Look at those beautiful buttresses!" Sokka and Aang both chuckle at the word buttresses "What's so funny?".
"Nothing. We just like architecture" Aang said.
Zei smiles "As do I" They finally reached the archway and looked around "My word! The exquisite mosaic handiwork of this tile-rendered avian symbol..." Zei looked to see the group giving him an confused look "Eh, nice...owl".
The group turns at the sound of feathers rustling. Kasumi, Katara and Sokka run off and hides behind a large pillar to the right. Aang takes Zei's hand and pulls him behind the pillar on the left. Then an enormous black owl with a white face walks through an archway and onto the bridge. Kasumi peeks at the owl from behind the pillar where she sees the owl examining the rope. It begins to turn its head to the left at three hundred and sixty degrees, revealing two white spots on the back of its head that resemble eyes. Kasumi has never seen a bird that big before. It was clear it must be some kind of spirit.
"I know you're back there" The Owl suddenly spoke.
Zei smiles and walks out onto the bridge excitedly "Hello! I'm Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se University".
Zei bows to the owl who towers above him "You should leave the way you came, unless you want to become a stuffed head of anthropology".
The owl motions to three stuffed animal heads were hanging from a pillar. Zei rubs his neck and groans nervously. The others quickly comes out of hiding, as it was clear there was no use in trying to avoid the owl anymore.
"Are you the spirit who brought this library to the physical world?" Sokka asked.
"Indeed, I am Wan Shi Tong, he who knows 10,000 things. And you are obviously humans, which by the way are no longer permitted in my study" The Owl, now revealed to be Wan Shi Tong said.
"What do you have against humans?" Aang asked.
"Hmm, humans only bother learning things to get the edge on other humans, like that firebender who came to this place a few years ago, looking to destroy his enemy" Wan Shi Tong said before he quickly brings his face close to Sokka's, startling him "So, who are you trying to destroy?".
Sokka smiled nervously and waving his hand in protest "What? Oh, no, no, no destroying, we're not into that".
"Then why have you come here?" Tong demanded.
Sokka tried to think of an answer "Um, knowledge, for, knowledge's sake".
The spirit of knowladge did not look impressed "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" Sokka pulls Aang in front of him "And he's the bridge between our worlds, he'll vouch for me".
Sokka pats Aang on the shoulder before nudging him in the back "Ow. Uh, yeah, I'll vouch. We will not abuse the knowledge in your library, good spirit. You have my word".
Everyone bows to Wan Shi Tong who seemed to consider their words "Hmm, very well. I'll let you peruse my vast collection, on one condition. To prove your worth as scholars, you have to contribute some worthwhile knowledge".
Zei kneels and presents a thick tome "Please accept this tome as a donation to your library".
"First edition, very nice" Wan Shi Tong passes his wing over the tome, causing it to vanish from Zei's hands.
Zei steps back and Katara steps forward holding open a waterbending scroll "I have an authentic waterbending scroll".
"Oh... these illustrations are quite stylish" Wan Shi Tong said as he takes the scroll. Katara bows her head to the spirit.
Aang had his finger to his chin, thinking of what to give Wan Shi Tong "Uh, oh, I know!"
He pulls a scroll from his shirt collar and presents it, revealing it to be a Fire Nation wanted poster of the Avatar. Wan Shi Tong wasn't to impressed but takes it anyway "I suppose that counts".
Kasumi searches herself for something to give to the spirit and finds her Kunai knives, she hoped they would be enough as she walked up and bowed to the spirit while holding the kunai knives up "These kunai knives has been a part of my culture for over a thousand years".
"Even weapons can hold a lot of knowledge." Wan Shi Tong said before taking the knives.
Kasumi steps back Sokka walks up to the knowledge spirit "Oh, great spirit, check this out!" He quickly ties a string into a butterfly shaped knot and holds it out "Ta da!"Wan Shi Tong as he stares in silence "It's a special knot! That counts as knowledge".
Wan Shi Tong looks at him for a bit before he spoke "You're not very bright, are you?" Sokka frowns and groans at the spirit's comment. The knot is quickly snatched by Wan Shi Tong's wing. "Enjoy the library".
Wan Shi Tong turns and jumps off the bridge, extending his wings. The group watch him fly down before turning to leave. Sokka as he stares after Wan Shi Tong with contempt "Bright enough to fool you".
Later they were enjoying their time of browsing through the books... well Sokka took quick looks before putting them in his bag. Kasumi read some books about the history of different cultures of the world, she was utterly absorbed by the stories she barely even heard what her friends were talking about until Sokka finally caught her attention by putting a hand on her shoulder, finally making her look up.
"Hey Kasumi, I just found out the Fire Nation had a darkest day. Come on, let's find out what happened" He said.
"No thanks, you go on ahead. I want to enjoy reading a bit longer. The history of the world is very interesting" Kasumi said before going back to reading.
Sokka blinked before he shrugged "Alright, do what you want".
As her friends left, Kasumi continued to read. So much to learn, and so little time. There were even some stories about the Avatars that came before Aang. Kasumi wondered what would happen if she arrived in this world during their time. She felt bad that they tricked Wan Shi Tong like that. There was so much knowledge in here that could help people immensely, yet they only came here to learn how to destroy the Fire Nation. It didn't feel right. She read for a while before she was violently brought out of her reading when she felt the whole place shake and sand began filling the room.
"What have they done now!?" Kasumi wondered out loud before she hurried to look for her friends, and soon enough she saw them running from Wan Shi Tong.
Aang jumps forward, twists in the air, and swings his staff in an upward arc as he lands, bending a strong gust of air. of Wan Shi Tong collides with the wind, causing the spirit to be knocked over the side of the bridge.
"What happened!?" Kasumi demanded.
"He found out why we are here and is sinking the library! And he doesn't want to let us leave!" Katara explained quickly.
"Of course! We took advantage of him and did exactly what we promised not to do" Kasumi said with a sigh "But never mind that right now. We need to get out of here quickly".
"But we still don't know when the next eclipse is gonna happen" Sokka said.
"Don't be stupid, we'll find out later" Katara said.
"No, we won't. If we leave this place we'll never get the information. Aang, come with me to the planetarium, I need cover. Katara, Kasumi, take Momo and get out of here" Sokka ordered.
"But-" Katara is cut off by a large crash from the left, causing her and Zei to flinch. Wan Shi Tong emerges from the dust.
"Go!" Sokka shouted.
"Hurry Katara! I will buy you some time!" Kasumi ordered as she was ready to face of with Wan Shi Tong.
The large owl towered over her "You may be different from most other humans. But in the end your motives are the same. You are only interested in knowledge of destruction".
"That's not true at all. My friends did what they had to do or the Fire Nation will destroy everything. I truly wanted to enjoy all this knowledge, that's why I didn't help them before" Kasumi said.
"Then it's unfortunate for you that you got mixed up with such bad people" Wan Shi Tong said before launching at Kasumi, forcing her to leap out of the way.
"I don't want to hurt you, Wan Shi Tong. Please, just let us leave and you will never see us again" Kasumi said.
"I fear it's far to late for that, young one. It really is a shame that someone as honorable as you will have to die because of the folly of your friends" Wan Shi Tong said before attacking again.
Kasumi avoided his attacks, focusing purely on staying alive. She refused to fight back as the spirit had every right to be angry at them for lying to him and taking advantage of the knowledge he's spent so many years collecting. But avoiding an angry spirit wasn't easy, and her refusal to fight back meant Kasumi is at a disadvantage. She retreated back to the place they came from.
"Kasumi!" Katara shouted.
Wan Shi Tong finally managed to land a hit on Kasumi, making her slide next to Katara who checked on her before Wan Shi Tong towered over them again "Your waterbending won't do you much good here. I've studied Northern Water Style, Southern Water Style, even Foggy Swamp Style".
He raises his head and wings and prepares to attack. And Kasumi sighed "I'm sorry, great spirit".
Kasumi leapt in to the air before delivering a powerful kick to Wan Shi Tong's head, knocking him down with enough force to make his head crack the bridge. The impact knocked him out cold.
"Kasumi! Katara!" They looked to see Sokka arrive with Aang "We got what we need, let's go!" They began climbing up the rope until Sokka noticed Zei sitting on the floor, reading some books "Wait! Professor, let's go!".
"I'm not leaving. I can't. I've spent too long trying to find this place. There's not another collection of knowledge like this on Earth. I could spend an eternity in here" Zei said with no regrets in his voice.
Kasumi was silent before she spoke "I hope you find peace, Zei".
Zei smiled "Thank you Kasumi. Be well, and keep learning".
With that they hurried out side, barely avoiding Wan Shi Tong as he gave chase. Once they were out, Toph, who had been stopping the Library from sinking all this time, finally let go and allowed it to disappear.
"We got it. There's a solar eclipse coming" Sokka said as he and Katara jump at and hug each other "The Fire Nation's in trouble, now!".
Kasumi gave Toph a hug "Thank you Toph, you saved us" When she got no response she looked at Toph's face and she looked sad "Toph, what's wrong?".
"Where's Appa?" Aang suddenly asked in worry.
Toph closed her eyes. She groans and shakes her head sadly before putting her face in Kasumi's chest, clearly feeling guilt and sadness. Aang's mouth hangs open, and watering eyes are wide with horror. Aang gasps as a tear rolls down his left cheek.
"No..." Kasumi whispered as she rubbed Toph's back to comfort her.
Appa was gone.
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Another long wait. Sorry about that, this story is tricky to write, but I will do my best to keep it going.
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Tell me what you think.