Toph ran to find Kataang. She figured they would be nearby CraneFish Towers. Maybe the city park? That was a favorite spot of theirs. She had to find them. Her footsteps hurried even quicker. Then she came across them still in a sweet embrace in the center of the park. Seeing them showing love to one another didn't bother Toph at all. But Sokka it bothered to no ends. Ooogies that's what he thought of it. But he was getting better at accepting his sister smooching and making out with his brother in law. Toph couldn't understand why Sokka was so weirded out by Katara and Aang showing affection. She thought it was sweet. Toph almost felt bad about having to break the young couple up. Almost.
She yelled in Aang's ear "Hey Twinkle Toes enough with the love making!!!! Aang and Katara pulled away in shock. What a party pooper Toph was. "I'm sorry to break you two up but I have tragic news. When I followed the secret tunnel you told me about I did find Mushin but problem is Haiko was with him. You're hunch was right Aang about Mushin working with Haiko. I tried to stop Haiko from escaping cause I knew he was going to abandon the hideout when I found it. But he pulled one of the scale keys out and used its power."
Katara's eyes widened in shock. Her fears were confirmed. Haiko did know how to harness the power of the scale. He learned how to channel it. It wasn't just a power which activated by accident like it was with her.
Toph continued her story. "I protected myself from the blast with my metalbending but the other police force members couldn't and when the energy cleared I felt with my feet that they were instantly annihilated. All dead. I'm not sure if they're bodies were all black or not cause I can't see but I'm sure they were. Haiko was long gone. I tried to follow but he disappeared into the nearby bay. How you ask he accomplished that with no boat is beyond me. But he was gone."
Aang was horrified by what Toph was telling him. His handsome grey eyes clouded with tears. Katara saw his sorrow and grabbed his hand lightly squeezing it. She knew he was upset waay before he showed it because of the connection they shared.
"The deaths of all those innocent people!!" "Haiko is a monster!! He has no value for human life whatsoever!!" Katara's blue eyes glowed with anger. "We have to find and stop Haiko before this situation gets any worse. It's sucks that none of us can read the ancient water tribe dialect or we'd know more than we do. Haiko needs the last scale key and he's probably going to try to capture me or Aang to try and force me to help him get it. I'm related to Lyra but I can't read the dialect and that upsets me. Why can Haiko read it and I can't? It makes no sense. I hope Sokka can find something out before Haiko gets what he wants. Can you imagine if that evil creature gets free?? It will annihilate everything not just Republic City!!" Katara clenched her teeth she was so mad.
"Calm down Sugar Queen we'll get him" Toph assured the waterbending master. "From one master to another we'll stop him. He won't get the third scale."
Aang was deep in thought and then a light bulb went off in his head "Guru Pathik!!!" Aang exclaimed excited at his accomplishment. "Guru Pathik is the only one who might know about the location of the last scale key and The Planet Eater. He's very spiritual. And very wise. We need to go to the eastern air temple to talk to him. Me and Katara will go. Toph you stay here and contact all the families of the men who died. They need your comfort."
"I'll try" Toph fumed. "But you know me I'm not very good at expressing my feelings but you're right they need to know their family members are dead. This ain't going to be pretty. See you two later. I'll let you know if Captain Boomerang contacts me good luck."
Aang and Katara waved goodbye to their dear friend Toph. She had always been there for them and they were indebted to her. She waved goodbye back her face stern from all the recent events. Nearby Mushin was watching everything in disguise and he heard the whole conversation between Team Avatar. He left to report this to Haiko.
Aang and Katara went to get Appa and Momo. The two we're playing with a piece of fruit. Momo wouldn't let Appa have it. He wanted it. Aang laughed at his two buddies antics. They always managed to put a smile on his face.
"So Aang is Guru Pathik the same guru you met during the attack on Ba Sing Se?"
"Yes" Aang nodded as he jumped onto Appa's head and took the reins "The very same guru. He resides permanently in the eastern air temple now. He loves the place. Very quiet and tranquil just like a nomad would want. Very peaceful."
"I'll bet" Katara said as she climbed on to Appa's head and sat next to Aang wrapping her arms around him. It would be a long journey to the eastern air temple but Aang was excited to show it to his wife. It was the only air temple she hasn't visited.
"Appa Yip Yip" Aang said and Appa soared into the sky. The atmosphere was soo tranquil but Aang could see the dark energy blanketing the sky. It was worse now that Haiko had two of the scales cause he could see it now and he couldn't before. Maybe when Haiko channeled the scale's power twice it disrupted the balance of world and that's why the dark energy was visible to the Avatar's eye. But Katara still couldn't see it. She was happily enjoying the cool breeze on her face. Aang was happy she couldn't see it. He was extremely worried but he didn't want Katara to notice he was worried so he acted upbeat and playful to her.
"Hey sweetie I have a new trick to show you" Aang took out a couple of balls. He began to juggle them in the air laughing as he did it. Katara clapped for him. He was actually pretty good at it.
"Where did you learn to juggle? I guess you're a man of many talents my sweet husband" Katara said while tickling under his chin as she watched him juggle. Aang was distracted by the advancements of his wife and dropped all three balls. They plummeted to earth.
He looked disappointed that he lost the balls. "Ty lee taught me how and there goes my balls."
"Sorry" Katara said apologizing for her mistake. "But you're wrong Aang you haven't lost you're balls" Katara said this coyly as she grabbed Aang's bulge. "I've just found them, my goofy sweetheart." Aang turned red as a beet and let out a soft groan. Katara was very alluring. That came out of nowhere. Katara released him and leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Aang stuttered trying to say 'it's ok sweetie it's only some balls.' But he didn't say it cause he was worried Katara would grab him there again. And he wouldn't be able to concentrate on flying Appa if she did that again.
The eastern air temple was a few days travel and when Aang couldn't fly Appa anymore Katara would take the reins from his hand and he would sleep in her lap while she drove Appa. Momo would sleep on Aang's back while he slept. Momo had spent a lot of the trip eating. Katara made sure she made plenty of food for Momo. They had to bring double the food to compensate for Momo's bottomless pit appetite. But they didn't mind. Momo was part of they're family too. The next day Katara needed sleep and Aang drove Appa while she nestled her head onto his muscular abs and drifted into the perfect slumber. She couldn't sleep good without Aang being with her. When she was with him she fell asleep fast. It was because of their connection. Katara didn't feel whole without him.
Then several hours later the eastern air temple finally came into view. Katara's eyes widened in awe. It was soo beautiful. So this was where Aang first got Appa. It truly was a wonder to see. She was amazed at all the air temples. They were all so amazing and different from each other. The air felt cleaner here.
Down below sat Guru Pathik. It was like he was waiting for Aang to come. Like he knew the turmoil the world was in. Guru Pathik was very wise and very spiritual. Appa landed and the couple got off of him.
"Welcome Aang" Pathik said pleased to see him. "I have some important information for you. Oh I see you brought your wife. She is a stunning beauty. I can see why you didn't choose the cosmic energy. I was disappointed at first but luckily it all turned out alright in the end."
"What is he talking about Aang?" Katara said raising her eyebrow in confusion. "Did you not master the avatar state because of me?"
Aang scratched his head and looked around nervously while saying "no Katara of course not. You're not the reason I didn't master the avatar state. Azula shot me remember?" Then Aang looked down at his feet.
Katara could tell he was lying. But she ignored it cause she knew he was ashamed of admitting to her all that happened way back then.
Guru Pathik explained everything the couple needed to do. "I know you're after the third scale to the planet eater. You'll find the scale at the ancient place known as Honshu Crag. Its location is actually not too far from here. I'll give you a mental map to the place Aang. You'll have to travel there by foot at a certain point cause the atmosphere of Honshu Crag is poisonous to animals. Appa and Momo should stay somewhere safe when you reach the inner part of the forest. The walk will be a two day journey. But with your glider you'll get there quicker. You must go before Haiko gets the scale."
"Thank you Pathik" Aang said as Pathik placed his hand on the avatar's head and inserted the map. Their minds connected and there was a brilliant light.
"Guru do you know where the planet eater's prison is?" Katara asked hopeful he would be able to answer the question.
"Sorry Katara I don't" Pathik said to the master waterbender. "No one knows where it is. I'm sure the avatar back then had a reason for hiding its location. You'll find the answers you're looking for eventually though. I'm sure of it. Now go on your journey. And best of luck to you both."