Chapter 63: Setting Out On Sokka's Great Expedition

As they ran towards Appa, Zuko managed to get a better look at the would-be thieves. The robes and goggles they wore were familiar to him.

"Sandbenders." He snarled and tried to run a little faster, hampered as he was by his still healing injury and walking staff.


By the time they got there, the thieves had run away, having gained nothing. Zuko paused, leaning heavily on his staff and breathing deeply to slow his heart rate down. He shook his head; he should be better by now.

Aang was patting Appa's head saying, "It's okay, buddy. I'd never let anyone take you."

Katara and Sokka were also patting the bison comfortingly. Zuko and Toph both stood awkwardly to one side, supportive but less comfortable with showing it.

A man's voice said, "The Sandbenders can be dangerous, especially if you have something they want. You kids should be careful."

They turned to see a tall man standing there, dressed all in white with a large hat on.

Zuko nodded. "I've dealt with them before. We should be fine…"

He trailed off, hoping to get the man's name. The man smiled. "I am Professor Zei, from Ba Sing Se University."

His Uncle's voice whispered in his head, 'The Ringed City.'

Professor Zei stared past Zuko and focused on Aang. He gasped and hurried past the Firebender, making him tense and reach for his swords.

The Professor was examining Aang from all angles. "You're a living relic." He remarked.

Aang smiled, bemused. "I try."

"An Air Nomad, right in front of me."

He bowed to Aang and the others. "I am Professor Zei. Head of Anthropology at Ba Sing Se University." He grabbed Aang's hand, shook it, and then began examining his arrow tattoo.

"Tell me," he said. "Which of the Air Temples do you hail from?"

Still bemused, Aang said, "The Southern Temple."

The man pulled out a small magnifying glass and began eyeing Aang's head. "Oh, splendid. Now, tell me, what was the primary agricultural product of your people?"

"Uh, are fruit pies an agricultural product?"

Zuko stumped over with his staff, put his hand on the Professor's shoulder and firmly steered the man away from Aang. He made sure that he was stood between the two.

Professor Zei seemed to realise his faux pas. "My apologies. I sometimes get caught up in my curiosity and lose my manners. It's just so incredible, an actual Air Nomad! Amazing."

He pulled a notebook out and started scribbling with a stub of charcoal. "Fruit pies, though. That's fascinating. One for the journal, definitely.

"Would you kids mind joining for a stretch? A small drink, perhaps? Just while I ask a few questions?"

He gestured to the bar they'd just vacated. Zuko opened his mouth to decline but Aang said, "Sure. Always happy to meet an Air Nomad fan."

They re-entered the bar.


"So, Professor," Sokka said. "You're obviously a well-travelled guy. Do you have a more current map? Ours is a little out of date."

The Professor nodded. "Certainly."

The two walked over and spread their maps out across an empty table. Sokka examined the Professor's map.

"What? No Fire Nation? Doesn't anybody have a good map of that place?" Sokka exclaimed.

Katara looked over and remarked, "You've made a lot of trips into the desert."

Professor Zei nodded. "All in vain, I'm afraid. I've found lost civilisations all over the Earth Kingdom, but I haven't managed to find the crown jewel—Wan Shi Tong's Library."

Toph, sat in a chair with her feet up and drink in hand, said, "You've spent years walking through the biggest desert on earth trying to find some guy's library?"

"This library is more valuable than gold, little lady." Zei said. "It is said to contain vast collection of knowledge. And knowledge is priceless."

Toph nodded. In a deadpan tone she said, "Hmm. Sounds like good times."

Zei ignored the sarcasm. "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."

Sokka said wryly, "Oh, so this Spirit has attractive assistants, huh?"

Katara frowned at her brother. "I think he means they look like actual foxes, Sokka."

Zei said, "You're both right, actually. Handsome little creatures. Wan Shi Tong and his Knowledge Seekers collected books from all around the world and put them on display for mankind to read, so that we might better ourselves."

He pulled a scroll from his bag and spread it out, showing a sketch of an ornate building.

Sokka said, "If this place has books from all over the world, do you think they've got info on the Fire Nation? A map, maybe?"

Professor Zei shook his head. "I wouldn't know, but if such a thing exists, it's in Wan Shi Tong's Library."

Sokka nodded. He said, "Okay then, it's settled. Aang, I do believe it's my turn to pick a vacation."

Zuko sighed, already guessing where they were going.

"I'd like to spend my vacation at the library!" He stated dramatically.

Toph snorted. Zuko smirked. She said, "Hey, what about me? When do I get to pick?"

Sokka joked, "You gotta work here a little longer before you're qualified for vacation time."

Zuko nodded seriously. "It's true, I haven't even got it yet."

Toph put her drink and crossed her arms. "Hmph."

Professor Zei said, "Of course, there's the matter of finding the Library. It's been lost for so long. I've made several trips into the Si Wong Desert and almost died each time. I'm afraid that desert is impossible to cross."

Sokka and Aang exchanged eye contact. Sokka said, "Professor, we never introduced you to Appa, did we? Would you like to meet our Sky Bison?"

The Professor exclaimed, "A Sky Bison! You actually have one?"

Zuko leaned over and whispered in Toph's ear, "Did he not see the big ball of white fur when we were outside?"

Toph snorted. "He was too busy checking Twinkletoes for historical accuracy."

Zuko laughed.


They emerged from the bar to see Sandbenders once again surrounding a struggling and growling Appa, in greater numbers than before.

The Professor shouted, "Sandbenders! Shoo! Away from the bison!"

The Sandbenders sneered over at the Professor.

Zuko stepped forward, opened his mouth, and issued a series of harsh sounding clicking noises. He gestured them away.

The Sandbenders startled at the sounds Zuko was making, but they backed off, heading towards the desert.

The others were all staring at him. Katara said, "What was that?"

Professor Zei said, "You speak Si Wong Silences? Incredible! I've never met anyone who wasn't from one of the Desert Tribes who could speak it."

Zuko shrugged, looking embarrassed. "I'm not fluent, but I can carry a conversation."

Katara continued to eye him. She said, "There's a lot we don't know about you, Zuko. You're full of surprises."

Sokka said, "Yeah, yeah, the guy's a human onion. Everyone on the bison. We've got a spirit library to find."