Disclaimer: I own no part of Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor make any money from it. This is merely a fanfiction.

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Book Four:

Air

Chapter Twenty-Three

The Monastery

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Mysterious Temple – A Few Years Ago

The wind whistled in the night as a small wooden boat crunched along the rocky shores of a small archipelago. Far, far beyond the shores of the Fire Nation, further west than any map had charted, they flew.

An ancient temple, long forgotten to most, even to the Air Nomads, rose up into the vision of the two men rowing the boat. The two men shivered in the cold air as they slid out of the boat and made for the grand entrance gates of the temple, which swung open with a groan to meet them.

The Great Hall was silent … dark.

The two men threw back their hoods … they were bald, and they wore the colors of the Air Nomads. However, they did not wear the signature Air Nomad tattoos. The first man walked deep into the Great Hall … a giant glass curtainwall revealed the dark seas far out into the horizon. The waves lapped at the rocks that served as the structure's foundation.

"Something's not right," the first man said. "The Caretaker should be here to greet us."

"Give him time," his counterpart replied, sitting at a long banquet table, the curtainwall behind him. "He has to oversee the other refugees."

The first man shivered again as he wrapped his cloak around himself like a mantle. "It's so cold in here … it's almost like this place has been abandoned …" He pointed at the empty fireplace on the far side of the room. "That thing hasn't been touched in a while by the looks of it."

The second man sighed. "You worry too much."

"And you don't worry at all! Don't you think it strange … the Caretaker sends for us, says he can protect us, and isn't here to greet us? At least have a butler or something … and where are the others?"

At that question, a door on the far end of the room swung open. Something huge flew in with giant wings and alighted on a perch overlooking the fireplace. It was a giant bird. A giant eagle to be exact.

"See?" the second companion said as he stood. "He was just running late."

The two men stood side-by-side and bowed respectfully before the giant bird. "Wan Shi Ying," the second man said. "Thank you for your courteous invitation."

Wan Shi Ying eyed them with a sideways glance. "Welcome, my friends. My new wards … I hope you find the accommodations to your liking?"

The second man whistled. "This sanctuary … it's beautiful."

"This Monastery has been my responsibility since the fall of the Air Nomads all those years ago … but those that survived the purges all have found their way here … as you have."

The first man sniffed. "But where are the rest? This Monastery was supposed to be a refuge for the descendants of the Air Nomads. At least, so I heard."

"The others have been preserved," Wan Shi Ying replied. "As will you two be. Come … allow me to show you to the chapel …"

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The two Air Nomad descendants walked the cavernous hallways of the Monastery, following the giant Eagle who glided through the towering hallways on his outstretched wings.

"Why must we see the chapel?" the first man asked. "Couldn't we have some time to go to our accommodations and rest up? We had a long journey. Maybe even some food?"

Wan Shi Ying continued walking. "This will not take long."

Before them, two grand oak doors lumbered at the end of the hallway. Wan Shi Ying scratched at it with a talon, and the doors slowly creaked open.

They were inside of a magnificent chapel. High arched ceilings held up with beautiful stone ramparts. Stained glass, depicting all four seasons. And at the end … a brightly colored image of a beautiful golden stag.

Fei Lian.

"I don't get it," the first man asked. "Are we here to pray?"

"I have brought you here so that the Air Nomads may be preserved. Please … enter …"

An unsettling feeling was now filling both men. But Wan Shi Ying seemed kind enough … and many of their own friends and relatives – all descendants of the Air Nomads – had journeyed here. They were the last of their relatives. Those who had survived the initial Fire Nation purges were systematically hunted down and exterminated like vermin over the past several decades. As for the Avatar, he had vanished almost a century ago.

This Monastery was unknown to most … even to most of the Air Nomads themselves. Those of their culture who did know of it claimed it was the most secret and wonderful sanctuary for their people. Their ancestors – even their parents – had come here years ago. The two men had tried to hold out … tried to live normal lives in the Earth Kingdom. But they had trusted the wrong people. Those who they called friends – even those in the Earth Kingdom – reported them to the Fire Nation for the reward money.

Now the two men had nowhere to go.

Except here.

They looked up at the Great Eagle. Wan Shi Ying. The Caretaker of the Monastery. The preserver of their people. They had heard stories of his wonders from their parents and grandparents … before their relatives had left for the Monastery. They had hoped their parents and grandparents would be here to meet them … but aside from the Eagle, it didn't seem as though there was another soul here.

But they had come this far, and who were they to question Wan Shi Ying?

The two men entered the chapel. Wan Shi Ying followed, ducking his head down to squeeze through the grand doors. He shut the doors behind them, latching it with a flick of his wing.

The two men proceeded down the chapel towards the far end, where the stained-glass image of Fei Lian hung. A lone candle flickered at the far end.

A quick breeze from nowhere blew it out, leaving a dank, purple haze over the sanctuary. The two men were now getting a very bad feeling. They turned … Wan Shi Ying was now standing between them and the closed doors.

"What's going on?" the second man demanded. "Look, we mean no disrespect, but cut us some slack! Where are the other refugees? Why are we here?"

Wan Shi Ying cocked his head. "But I already told you … you are going to be preserved. As your family was. I will ensure the continued preservation of the Air Nomads."

The two men backed away. They didn't like that the way the Eagle kept using the word "preserve."

As they backed further away, two black hands suddenly lunged out of the shadows. The two men screamed, as the figures pinned their arms behind their backs. They could feel their shoulders dislocate with a sickening pop. They struggled against the iron grip … it was no use. They glanced behind at the two figures … the Shadow Fiends had no faces. Just two vacant holes where eyes should be, and another vacant hole where a mouth was. The open mouth holes rasped as they sucked in air.

The two men struggled. The first turned angrily, spittle and sweat flying from his face. He glared at the Great Eagle. "You betrayed us!"

"No," Wan Shi Ying said sharply. "I am doing nothing more or less than what I promised. To preserve the Air Nomads. So that you are not lost forever. Your faces … your identities will be kept in reserve. Not left to decay with death … with no trace left. The Air Nomads are being stored away … kept safe forever …"

The two men were forced to their knees by the Shadow Fiends.

And they heard a noise.

A scuttling noise … as though several legs were moving and clicking at once.

Out of the shadows shot a long, centipede like body. It encircled them … and with utter horror, they realized that Wan Shi Ying had brought them here as an offering to an even worse spirit.

The two men's screaming echoed through the cavernous chapel as Wan Shi Ying calmly watched.

Then there was silence.

With another gust of wind, the candle at the far end of the room relit and the Shadow Fiends slinked backwards into the darkness and vanished.

Wan Shi Ying stood there, staring at the centipede-spirit. Koh the Face Stealer turned around … he was wearing the first man's face. He smiled, and the face shifted to the second man's. "Yes," Koh gushed. "Two fine additions to my growing collection … you have done well, Wan Shi Ying. I will preserve their faces … the identity of the Air Nomads … so that they are not lost to history forever."

Wan Shi Ying nodded. "Regrettable … but altogether necessary. I was entrusted to ensure the preservation of the Air Nomads … I will not let them be lost forever."

"Indeed," Koh remarked. "Their identities … their faces … will be safe with me … let me know when the next batch of refugees arrive … there should only be a handful left in the world …"

And Koh slithered back into the shadows and was gone.

Wan Shi Ying stood there for a moment. He felt no guilt for his actions.

He was, after all, fulfilling the task appointed to him.

To preserve the Air Nomads at any cost …

Up above, perched on a gargoyle, a beautiful young woman in a hood with a bow and quiver of arrows clenched her fist. She had been too late to warn the two young men. The Caretaker and the Face Stealer had claimed two new victims.

But they would never claim her! She would elude them and find some way to utterly destroy them and free herself from this accursed prison!

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Western Air Temple – Present Day – Morning

"Ah! Just as we left it during the summer! Well, now that we've almost completed our Air Temple grand tour, what do you say we get camp set up, huh?" Sokka was admiring the ravines and ledges of the Western Air Temple as Aang brought Appa in for a landing. The bison alighted on the ledge, and Team Avatar once again beheld the majesty of the Western Air Temple.

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "I could've sworn this place was bigger last time."

Toph alighted off Appa's side. Her feet were almost fully healed. "Good news, guys – I can 'see' again – well, better than I could before."

"That's good, Toph," Katara replied. "That means the daily Spirit Water treatment is doing its job."

Sokka, meanwhile, was staring ahead. He kept staring ahead and mindlessly grabbed Katara's sleeve and started tugging on it.

"What?!" she asked irritably.

"Oh nothing," he answered. "It's just that there's someone here and they've already set up camp."

The group stared several feet ahead. Someone was sitting at a campfire, their back turned to them.

The figure suddenly stood, and Team Avatar jumped into defensive postures.

"Why so jumpy?" the figure asked. The next thing Sokka knew, the figure had grabbed him and crashed her lips against his.

Sokka blinked, then beamed.

"Suki?!"

He grabbed the Kyoshi Warrior, grinning with joy as he spun her in the air. They kissed again.

The rest of Team Avatar stood there dumbfounded.

"Uh, Suki," Katara said, wincing as she watched the Kyoshi Warrior make out with her brother. "It's not that we're not happy to see you -."

"How did you survive?" Zuko asked bluntly. "More importantly, how did you escape? We thought you were captured by the Court? You and the Kyoshi Warriors and the Order of the White Lotus?"

Suki extracted herself from Sokka's still perched kissy lips. She seemed confused. "Escape?" Then she laughed. "Oh, right. Yeah, about that. You see, we were never prisoners …"

Team Avatar stared at her deadpan.

Suki rubbed the back of her head, chuckling at their confusion. "Everyone is safe. Ty Lee, the Kyoshi Warriors, Jeong Jeong, Pakku and the other White Lotus Members. All good."

"Okay," Toph said. "I'm very confused. Please start making sense."

Suki rubbed the back of her head, still laughing. "Uh, well … maybe she can explain better …"

Aang cocked his head. "She?"

Behind the campfire, a figure morphed into view. And even though she wasn't wearing her signature mask or furs, Merilina was unmistakable.

Team Avatar jumped into attack mode. "YOU!"

Suki threw herself between them, arms out. "No, wait you don't understand!"

Merilina brushed past Suki, arms folded. "Well … is this any way to thank the one who rescued your friends in Ba Sing Se?"

Katara was seething. "Rescued? You betrayed them! Then you captured them!"

"Uh, not captured," Suki interjected, finger raised.

"You and your friends would have been slaughtered by Sozin's forces had I not intervened," Merilina replied. "I had to capture them or else I would have blown my cover. I never imprisoned your friends … I led them safely outside the walls of Ba Sing Se … I told Sozin that the Court had transferred them to a secret location and of course he bought it …"

Sokka poked the older woman furiously in the shoulder. "I don't care what you say! I'm. Not. Trusting. You!"

Merilina grabbed his finger and twisted. Sokka yelped and collapsed to his knees, nursing his hand.

Suki rose to Merilina's defense. "Guys, you may not trust her … but trust me … she got us to safety … and I've been with her ever since. She hasn't hurt a hair on my head."

Katara's eyes never left Merilina's. "Maybe she's trustworthy … or maybe she's waiting for the most opportune time to strike at Aang."

Zuko interjected, his head lowered. "Guys … you all said the same thing about me … right here in this temple, as a matter of fact."

Everyone remained silent.

Except, of course, for Katara. "Oh, what, so because you turned good, we're supposed to now trust every single shmo and vagabond that pretends to grow a conscience?"

Toph shook her head. "Katara … I don't sense any deception from her …"

Katara rounded on the Earthbender. "What do you know, your feet are burned!"

"Didn't you just say that they were healing fine from your Spirit Water?"

Merilina's face remained somber. "Enough. There is no time for petty squabbling. Or perhaps you do not wish to know the location of Fei Lian?"

Aang lowered his staff. "You know where the Air Spirit is?"

"Yes. But if I am going to help you … you must do something for me."

"Of course, there would be a catch," Katara griped. "And that's if she's telling the truth."

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Suki pressed her fingers to her lips, suppressing a laugh as she watched Sokka tear ravenously into some roast mutton at the campfire.

The team was sitting around the flame in a circle, Aang next to Merilina. "So … what is this task you need?" Aang asked as he munched on some vegetables.

Merilina stared into the glowing embers. "Far, far way … beyond even the edges of any known map … well beyond the Fire Nation's westernmost border … is a hidden sanctuary."

Aang swallowed his lettuce. "What kind of sanctuary?"

"One that not even the majority of the Air Nomads knew about … a place of safety. Where a few of the descendants of the Air Nomads could leave in peace, undisturbed …"

Aang's eyes lit up. "You mean some of my people may have survived?"

"No Airbenders, I am afraid," Merilina replied. "But those who descended from them … there is a resident there … one that I knew many years ago …" Her eyes continued to stare into the flames, as though she were looking at something beyond them. "But our communication ceased when she first entered the sanctuary … but now, I wish to find my friend."

Aang nodded. "Welp, Team Avatar will be happy to help if it'll help us find the Air Spirit."

"No," Merilina replied curtly. "This place is hallowed … a place of sanctuary. Only you, the Avatar, are permitted to go with me."

Katara snorted. "Oh, how convenient … you want Aang to go with you alone to some faraway monastery where he'll be defenseless and at your mercy. Aang, I hope you're seeing through all this."

Toph shook her head. "Don't listen to Sugar Queen, Aang. I honestly sense no deception from her … she's being legit right now."

Katara stood up. "Fine. Go, Aang. Go to your death, but if you think I'm going to sit here and listen to you be fed all these lies, you're as delusional as Sokka on cactus juice." She turned and stormed off.

Aang wanted to follow after her … but Katara was in a rage. And besides … the breakup had really put a strain on things. She wouldn't want him to come after her anyway.

Merilina stared down at Aang. "You will come alone … or not at all."

He looked up at Merilina and finally spoke. "When do we leave?"

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Merilina had changed into simple travel gear. A sword was slung over her shoulder. Aang was packing Appa's supplies up.

Sokka was sitting at the campfire, arm around Suki's shoulder. "Don't you worry, Aang. We'll hold the temple down."

Zuko nodded. "And I'll hold Sokka down."

Toph was walking gingerly on her still-healing feet as Seizon walked behind her, arms out nervously, prepared to catch her if her feet gave out and she fell. "We'll be here when you get back," Toph called to him. She thought twice. "Well … not like we can go anywhere without Appa anyway."

"I'll see you guys soon," Aang replied. His eyes fell on Katara, who was angrily practicing Waterbending drills. She stared him down, daggers in her eyes.

He wanted to say something, wanted to apologize for the breakup … but his own pride got the better of him. It's better this way, he thought. This way my feelings for her won't get in the way of my final battle with Sozin …

With a final wave, he joined Merilina on Appa's saddle.

And just like that, they were gone.

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"Am I heading in the right direction?" Aang asked. They were miles and miles away from the Western Air Temple now, with only bare ocean on all sides.

"Keep heading due west," Merilina replied, arms folded in the saddle, her hair whipping around in the wind.

Aang nodded. "One thing I don't get … if you're telling the truth about all this, then what about the Court? Aren't you its leader?"

Merilina remained stoic. "Let me give you a tidbit of wisdom, young Avatar. 'The best way to destroy an enemy force, is to lead it yourself.'"

Aang continued to stare ahead. "So … you're actually working against the Court … by pretending to lead it?"

"Sozin was right when he told you that sometimes a person becomes the 'villain' out of necessity. I had to become the 'bad guy' to ensure the Court's ultimate demise. Sozin came to the Court, shortly after you emerged from that iceberg in the Winter. I of course knew of his existence … and the hidden political power of the Court was the perfect bait to draw him into the open. He asked for the Court's help, to put his 'master plan' into motion."

"The World Peace Coalition," Aang nodded.

"Precisely. We helped him ascend to the world throne … I raised him up, just so that I could destroy him. I thought he was more controllable … but his madness is far beyond what even I realized. I never anticipated that he would go after the Patron Spirits of the Four Nations … never dreamed he would try to become a new Avatar - a blasphemy that I thought not even he could sink to … now all things are beyond my control – save one. The location of the Air Spirit is still my most closely guarded secret."

Aang sighed. "The Court … I was told the Air Nomads founded it. That my mentor Monk Gyatso sat as one of its leaders over a century ago …"

"The Air Nomads did indeed create the Court. You will find that the history of your people is far different than the sanitized mythology you were presented with."

Aang gulped, holding back his tears.

"But there is another force at work, of which I am sure you are aware. One that assumed control of the Court long ago. Its old leaders, drunk with power, desired more … they delved too far into the Spirit World, meddled in forces far beyond their capacity to understand …"

"Koh," Aang continued.

"Koh assumed control of the Court many, many years ago. He saw in Sozin the ability to create a new Beast – another Energybender far beyond what the Spirit World has seen before. He aided Sozin in his quest for power, giving him the idea to absorb the Patron Spirits and become an Avatar. Koh wishes to make things so unstable, make Sozin so powerful, that Yama will have no choice but to bring about the end of all things." She sighed. "The Age of Kali-Yuga … is at an end. The time of the Avatar draws to a close …"

"Not if I can stop it," Aang said, determination fixed in his voice.

"If you do not, then you will not just be the Last Airbender, I am afraid … you will be the Last Avatar …"

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It was nighttime when the golden spires appeared over the horizon. "We're way far out," Aang said. "This is uncharted territory."

Merilina agreed. "Indeed. No Fire Nation ship has ever been this far."

"But the Fire Nation could reach it with an airship if they wanted?"

"I doubt it. The Fire Nation knows nothing of this place …" She pointed below as Appa began circling in preparation for landing. "There … the Courtyard …"

Appa descended in a spiral pattern. His toes touched the ground and Aang tossed him a small apple as he unsaddled himself. "Wait here for us, Buddy." Appa, usually upbeat and optimistic, seemed highly agitated and unnerved. His wool stood on all ends, and his teeth were bared. Something was wrong. Aang patted him on the head to reassure him. "It'll be okay, Buddy. We won't be long, I promise."

The moon and stars shone high above them … but the moon - the moon was strangely dim. Zhao had merged with Princess Yue – the Moon Spirit – as well as the Ocean Spirit. And once Zhao presented himself to Sozin, the Fire Lord would make his move and steal the Ocean and Moon Spirits for himself. How Zhao would respond was a lingering question.

But nevertheless, the dimming of the moon was a sign they had to hurry.

Merilina was way ahead of him. She led him through two grand doors into a large Great Hall. Behind them was a glass curtainwall, with endless sea spanning to the horizon. They really were trapped here unless they had a flight out.

Merilina walked up to the curtainwall, observing the stars and the oceans in the distance. "Something is very wrong … this place … is empty. The Caretaker should be here to greet newcomers and refugees …"

The unsettling feeling was gnawing at Aang's insides and he held his staff close. "T-the Caretaker?"

"Wan Shi Ying. Brother of Wan Shi Tong."

"Wan Shi Tong has a brother?! We gotta get out of here!"

"Relax … Wan Shi Ying is very different from Wan Shi Tong. He will not attack us. He is a servant … an emissary of Fei Lian. He should have been here to greet us."

Something was still bugging Aang, despite his nerves. "I still don't understand … if this place is a place of refuge, how come almost no one knows about it? I can understand keeping it hidden from the Fire Nation …"

Merilina still had her back to him and was staring through the glass into the distance. "You were taught that all Air Nomads were Airbenders due to the high level of spirituality of your people. This is a lie."

"What? I know my people's history, Merilina. All Air Nomads are benders!"

"Correction. Most Air Nomads are benders." She continued staring out at the lapping waves. "Once, every few generations, a non-bender would be born to your people. Your ancestors felt that it would be a kindness to raise the non-benders in this monastery, away from the Airbenders. They would be fully provided for and taught to seek spiritual enlightenment."

Aang shook his head. "So they just threw the non-benders away?! Hid them here! There's no way! My people would never -."

"All the other Nations are open about non-benders living among them. But Air Nomads saw themselves as being more spiritually evolved than the other Nations. To produce a non-bender would imply that they are not as spiritually connected to the universe as they would have liked to believe." She snorted. "So spiritually enlightened that they hid themselves in temples away from the very world they claimed to be connected to! Tell me, Avatar – how can you be connected to something when you shun it at the same time?!"

Aang stood there, confused. He had no answer. There was a righteous anger in Merilina's voice. And he could sympathize … his faith in the Air Nomads was being shaken more and more these days it seemed.

Merilina turned and began making for a doorway on the far side of the room. "Come. We've wasted enough time."

Aang spared one last glance out the glass window, before jogging to catch up to the Court's leader.

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The duo had wandered for the past ten minutes through the labyrinth of hallways that made up the Monastery. Aang sniffed the air, then held his shirt up to his nose. "Ugh, what is that smell?"

"One I know all too well … a stench of decay. And death."

They came to a door at the end of the hallway. The smell was coming from the other side. Aang clenched his fists around his staff as Merilina opened the door with a gentle shove.

It was a large meditation room.

And it was littered with bodies.

Aang gasped and lingered in the doorway as Merilina entered the room. The pale light of the stars shone through the windows, casting light upon the bodies.

Aang stood in the doorway. "Did the Fire Nation do this?"

"No," Merilina replied grimly. "Not Firebenders." She rolled one of the bodies onto its back. The body's head lolled around uselessly … it's face was gone. "Not Firebenders at all."

"Koh," Aang breathed. "Then we've really got to go, Merilina!"

The Queen of the Court turned to him. "We're not going anywhere. You agreed to help me. Leave, and you will never find Fei Lian." She sighed as she brushed past Aang out of the room and back into the hallway. "I'm afraid I have not been completely honest with you, Avatar. You deserve to know the whole truth of why we're here." She paused. "This is a rescue mission. The friend I spoke of … she is my daughter."

"Your daughter?"

"I am old, Avatar Aang. Far older than I look. My body retains youth far beyond my age. I will reveal the source of my longevity soon … don't look at me like that, I am not an Energybender. I don't prolong my life by preying on the innocent, as Sozin has done."

Aang remained silent as he followed Merilina down the hall.

The Queen of the Court was still speaking. "I am descended from Air Nomads … but I was no bender. Long ago, before the war even broke out, I was brought here as a little girl. Wan Shi Ying treated me very kindly, but I and the others brought here were forbidden to leave. Until one day, when I was a young woman, a group of refugees arrived on a boat and I saw my chance. I broke free, took the boat. I had learned how to handle the sails by watching other refugees arrive over the years. I sailed all the way to the Earth Kingdom. I grew up, hiding my ancestry and married a young Earthbender. I had high hopes for my daughter – my Siena – that she would not bear the curse of being a non-bender … but alas, she was neither Earth nor Airbender. But I loved her all the same, and settled down with her.

"Until he came."

"Sozin," Aang realized.

"He used the power of the Great Comet to destroy the Air Nomads – our people. And so, we hid our ancestry. Sozin faked his own death and left to discover the path to power and immortality. He was succeeded by Azulon. And Fire Lord Azulon created Inquisitions. He knew that some Air Nomads had survived the purges. And so his Inquisitors swept all Four Nations, rooting out the descendants of the Air Nomads. Men would sell out their grandmothers, the tortures were so horrendous. And, when Siena was a teenager, the Inquisitors found my husband. He was so brave … he manned up to the tortures. He did not reveal our identities. After his death, I knew I could not protect Siena. And so I brought her here. Wan Shi Ying accepted her. He promised he would not harm her, and I promised her I would return when I found a way to stop the Fire Nation for good. That was when I started my journey to becoming leader of the Court."

Merilina pressed open a doorway. They were atop a balcony, overlooking a grand library towering with books. It rivaled even Wan Shi Tong's Library in the Si Wong Desert.

Aang's mouth was agape.

"The two bird spirits always did have a thing for books," Merilina quipped. "Look sharp … I sense something off."

They began descending the grand staircase when they heard it. An ear-piercing shriek, one that pierced right into their innards.

"What on earth was that?" Aang asked, nearly jumping out of his skin.

"I don't know," Merilina replied and Aang was disturbed to see worry on her face for the first time. "I've been around for more than a century …. I have never heard any living creature scream like that …" She slowly unsheathed her sword, holding it out in front of her.

They reached the bottom of the staircase into the library. At the foot of the steps lay more bodies. Merilina flipped them over with her boot. "These are fresh … only a few days old … what has happened here …? Where is Wan Shi Ying?"

The stopped as the horrifying shriek tore through the library. "That was louder," Merilina said. "Whatever is shrieking … it's getting closer."

Aang gulped. "Do we have to find out what it is?"

"The exit is this way. Come on." She tugged on his sleeve. They rounded a corner, past a bookshelf – and Merilina stopped him short.

Standing at the far end of the aisle of books, between them and the exit … was a staggering and emaciated figure. It wore the clothes of an Air Nun … similar to the ones who were caretakers to Eastern Air Temple so long ago. But it's face … it's features were oddly distorted, as though someone had tried to remove her face, but had stopped halfway through. Rotted teeth hung from the gums, and bony cheeks rise up, with wide, sunken eyeholes making the eyes seem twice as large as before. The skin on its face was brown, thin as paper, and its lips were shriveled. It let out another soul-wailing screech.

Merilina held her sword out in front of her.

The Creature suddenly moved with blinding speed which should have been impossible for its bony legs. It lunged at Aang, grabbing him by the shirt, slamming him up into a bookshelf. It shrieked again into his face.

Aang held it at bay with his staff, as its jaws clicked and chomped at him, trying to go for his neck.

Merilina appeared behind the Creature and thrust her sword forward. She buried the blade into its side.

The Creature seemingly felt no pain. It dropped Aang, grabbed the hilt away from Merilina, and simply slid the blade out. It opened its claw-like hand and dropped the sword to the ground with a clang.

It shrieked again.

Aang lunged with his staff, attacking head on. The Creature backed away, up against a wall. Aang had it on the defensive.

The Creature simply morphed into the wall and disappeared as though the wall had been made of water.

Aang and Merilina stood there, dumbfounded.

The Creature morphed through a bookshelf behind them. It lunged again.

Merilina motioned to Aang. "Keep it's attention."

"Not like I have a choice," he yelled back as he fought the Creature back with his staff.

Merilina raced up the Grand Staircase overlooking the library. She climbed atop the bannister and crouched, staring down at the Creature as it ravaged its way through the bookcases towards Aang.

Aang backed away, tossing books off the shelf at the Creature. It snarled as it batted them away. It kept coming. Its sharp claws reached for his throat.

Merilina dive-bombed the Creature from above, sword plunging downward through the top of the Creature. The Creature shrieked and disintegrated into dust on impact, leaving only trace particles on the ground.

Aang was panting. "Thanks," he said.

Merilina was observing the spot on the ground where the Creature once stood. The ground appeared scorched. "That thing … that was once a person. The nuns and monks helped Wan Shi Ying oversee this place … something has been corrupting them and turning them into these creatures … and as for those Air Nomads coming here for refuge … their faces are being stolen." She clenched her fist, her rage seething. "Koh … what have you done?!"

She sheathed her sword and swept towards the doorway on the far side. Aang spared one last terrified glance at where the Creature stood, then ran to keep up.

.

.

.

The Library led to an old greenhouse. The air in here was thick, moist and hot. Aang felt his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth.

There was another shriek.

Aang jumped and Merilina spun around, sword drawn. A second abomination – this one wearing monk robes – was charging.

"Not again!" Aang groaned.

Merilina stood her ground, prepared to swing her sword.

FOOSH!

FOOSH!

FOOSH!

Out of nowhere, a volley of arrows shot through the greenhouse, hitting the second Creature square in the head. With a wail, it disintegrated instantly.

Merilina and Aang eyed their surroundings warily.

Out of the shadows emerged three figures in hooded cloaks wielding bows. The lead figure threw back her hood, revealing a beautiful woman. Her face was smudged with dirt and grime and she had definitely seen better days. The other two figures threw their hoods back … two men.

Aang bowed. "Thanks …"

The woman didn't acknowledge him. She was glaring at Merilina, contempt on her face. "So … after all these years …"

Merilina took a step forward. "Siena …"

Siena frowned. "Come … we have a safe room we've been hiding in. We never stay in one room too long." She motioned at the two men. "Hinju. Shi-Lang. Show them their 'accommodations.'"

.

.

.

The trio led Aang and Merilina to a small room in the far side of the monastery. Siena threw off her cloak and locked the door. "Did you two finish your rounds?"

Hinju nodded. "No sign of Wan Shi Ying. And it seems our guests drew the Creatures out of dormancy."

Siena snarled and slammed her fist on a small table. "Thank you, Mother. You've awoken the entire palace."

"Siena … I've come to rescue you …" For the first time, Aang saw sadness in the face of the usually proud and stern Merilina.

"Perhaps I don't need rescuing." Siena was examining her bow. "Maybe I've been doing just fine in this place without you."

"Running from hiding place to hiding place? Dodging monsters?"

"Those monsters were dormant until you showed up tonight," Siena spat.

Merilina took a step forward, arms outstretched. "My Daughter … my little girl …"

Siena batted her hand away. "Don't touch me, Mother."

Merilina stopped. "What happened? What are those Creatures? Where are all the other refugees? This place was sprawling when I left you here! Where is Wan Shi Ying? Why has he not put a stop to this?"

"Wan Shi Ying is the one who did all this, Mother."

"What do you mean?"

Siena let out an exasperated sigh. "This is no monastery, no place of refuge. Not anymore. Don't you get it, Mother? It's an Asylum. Wan Shi Ying has gone insane. He is no longer the Caretaker of this place. He is its Warden."

"Insane? How?"

"It started slowly," Siena admitted. "Wan Shi Ying was tasked to ensure the continued preservation of the Air Nomads after the majority of them were wiped out in the Comet a hundred years ago. But Wan Shi Ying took that a little too literally. As time went on, and less and less refugees trickled in, and the older Air Nomads began dying of old age or sickness, he began instituting stricter measures. It started with him locking us in our rooms. He cut off contact from the outside world, except to invite new refugees. And … he gave us to Koh … one by one he allowed the Face Stealer to steal our faces … our very identities. He claimed he saw no other way to preserve the Air Nomads as a people … whether by war or old age, the Air Nomads would eventually go extinct. But by giving our faces to Koh, he believes he is allowing our legacy to live on, to be immortalized."

"And no one fought back?" Aang asked.

"Oh they did. But they were no match for Koh. Those who resisted were captured, tortured … and were transformed into those monsters. They guard the place, but go dormant when there is little activity."

"And what of you?" Merilina asked.

"Hinju, Shi-Lang and I are the last survivors. We've been spending the last few years in hiding. We never spend more than one night in the same room. And we go out at night to the seashore … this sea is filled with fish. We've been living off them."

"But why not escape?" Aang asked.

"Because," Siena replied defiantly. "This is my home. The only place I could call my own. I won't leave this place … especially since you told me not to, Mother."

Merilina folded her arms. "I see. You stayed out of defiance towards me."

"That," Siena admitted. "And the little tiny detail that there's no boat. No air bison. No way off this rock!"

"We have a bison," Aang said. "We can get you out of here. All of us. Right now!"

Hinju and Shi-Lang shared hopeful looks.

Siena remained defiant. "No."

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Merilina spat.

"I will not live the rest of my life in your debt, Mother."

"Just listen to yourself! Be reasonable!"

Siena withdrew a dagger and slammed into a wooden tabletop. "Why do you care now, Mother? After all these years … after you abandoned me here … you grew up here … you saw it as a prison even before Wan Shi Ying lost his mind … yet you condemned here all the same …!"

"It was to protect you!" Merilina spat.

"It was selfishness. You felt imprisoned with Father and bound to him with me. But when Daddy died, you saw a way to have freedom again … by dropping me off here!"

"You know I did what had to be done for you! To save you from the Fire Nation!"

Siena yanked the blade out of the table. "Leave, Mother. Or stay. I honestly don't care. But I'm not going anywhere. This is my home now. And I am taking it back. You can either help me destroy Wan Shi Ying … or you can be on your way. Honestly, I wish you'd take the former option!"

"How dare you speak to me that way! After all I've done! You ungrateful -!"

"Mommy?"

A small voice echoed from a corner. Merilina's mouth hung slack as a small little girl emerged, pigeon-toed and holding a small stuffed sky bison tightly against her chest appeared. She looked terrified.

"Now look what you've done!" Siena spat. She turned and scooped the little girl up into her arms. "There, there, Amaya. Mommy's here …"

Merilina's features softened. "A granddaughter …" she breathed in amazement.

"Yes," Siena replied as Amaya nuzzled up into her mother's neck. She rocked her gently. "This is the only home she knows. This is why I fight. And I will never abandon her … as you abandoned me!"

"You're raising a child here?" Aang could feel his own anger growing. "And you won't leave with us?! You'd condemn your child to spend the rest of her life here?"

"You vanished for a Hundred Years … you don't get to judge me, Avatar."

"But think of your daughter!"

"I do." Siena's features softened as Amaya fell asleep in her arms. "I'll make a deal. We'll leave with you. Heck, I'm even willing to sit down and hash our problems out, Mother. But first – you help us. You help us defeat Wan Shi Ying. So that no one else who comes to this place for refuge suffers as the others have. Do that, and we'll leave."

"But how?" Aang asked.

"Easy," Merilina realized. "Wan Shi Ying took on mortality, as Fei Lian did."

"And if he's mortal," Siena added, "he can be killed."

.

.

.

Hinju and Shi-Lang were busy arming themselves. Siena was testing out her bow. Merilina helped herself to several of their extra weapons. Aang stood there, holding his staff. He didn't know how useful he'd be in a battle against Wan Shi Ying … but he had no choice now.

Siena kneeled down in front of Amaya, who was clutching her stuffed bison tightly. "Mommy … please don't leave me."

Siena ruffled her hair. "It's okay, Amaya. I'll be back soon, I promise. Now do you remember where the 'secret place' is?" Amaya nodded. "Good. Go there. Go there and let no one else in. Do you understand? I will come get you soon." She placed a gentle kiss on the little girl's head. Amaya turned and slid a piece of stone away from the wall … a small nook, a hiding place. She crouched herself inside and sat, knees held tightly.

Siena smiled as she pushed the stone back in place. "Mommy loves you, Little Girl." She stood up. "Now … it's time to make Wan Shi Ying pay."

.

.

.

The pale light of a decayed and weakened moon shone through the glass curtainwall of the Great Hall as the fivesome entered in, weapons drawn.

"I don't like this," Shi-Lang said. "It's unusually quiet."

"It's been unusually quiet for a long time," Siena said. "Since those two last refugees came … that was when Wan Shi Ying was last active."

Aang stopped. "But your mother and I are two new people … Wan Shi Ying we'll think we're refugees … we're the bait to draw him out!"

"I heard you were perceptive, Avatar. You'll be fine. Hinju, Shi-Lang and I have been able to hold our own against him. But with the Avatar, we'll put him down for good."

Aang raised a finger. "Ummm … I guess now would be the time to tell you … I can't bend anymore …"

Siena stared at him deadpan and he grinned apologetically. "You waited till now to say something!"

"I'm sorry, I forgot!"

"Enough." Merilina drew her sword. "He is here."

There was a blast of wind and two grand oak doors at the far end of the Great Hall were thrown open. Wan Shi Ying flew in. He landed before them, towering over them, cocking his head, observing the newcomers.

For a moment there was silence.

Aang sheepishly approached the Great Eagle. "Uh … good evening, Mr. Wan Shi Ying, sir." He bowed. "I'm Aang, the Avatar. I was just wondering if you would just let us all go …"

Wan Shi Ying stared at him from the side of his head. "Your markings … a blue arrow … you are an Air Nomad …"

"… as I was saying, I'm the Avatar and -."

"Not even the Avatar can save our people. That task has fallen to me."

Aang found his courage. "By giving us to Koh?! By letting that monster steal our faces?!"

Wan Shi Ying brushed a feather along Aang's cheek. At his touch, Aang saw a bolt of lightning. He saw visions of death and destruction. The Air Temples burning as the Great Comet tore through the sky.

"I was tasked with preserving the remnants of the Air Nomads, before they could be lost forever," Wan Shi Ying said. "And I will do so. You will be preserved."

Doors on the east and west wings of the Great Hall flung open. Merilina, Siena, Shi-Lang and Hinju pressed themselves together, weapons drawn as dozens of distorted and monstrous Creatures flooded the room. They grinned maliciously as they surrounded the group, forming a wall around the fivesome and Wan Shi Ying.

The Great Eagle took a step towards Aang, who staggered backwards. And another. And another. With each step of his talon, he spoke great words of anger. "I have seen countless histories of countless ages. The cycle always the same. The same conflicts. The same atrocities. Then Yama arrives and wipes the slate clean." Aang was backing away. Wan Shi Ying and his Creatures were closing in. "Then the cycle repeats. The world restabilizes. New life flourishes. New humans develop. But all the old conflicts. All the old wars. It is a pattern. We are all a slave to it. And now, the greatest threat the universe has ever seen has arisen … a threat greater than any posed during the previous Cycles."

Aang saw another flash of lightning. He saw Sozin, white light bubbling out of his eyes and mouth. The future. Sozin had actually accomplished it. He was in an Avatar State … he had become a new Avatar.

And he saw Yama, facing down Sozin. And animated by the Ocean, Moon, Fire, Earth and Air Spirits, Sozin could actually have a chance to destroy the Queen. And the Spirit World. And all existence.

The circle grew tighter around them.

Wan Shin Ying was speaking again. "But the Air Nomads need not be lost to this conflict forever. They can be preserved. Whether alive or dead, their faces, their stories, their history will not be lost. I am The Preserver!"

Siena grabbed an arrow and took aim with her bow. "I'll go down fighting than be 'preserved' thanks!"

Wan Shi Ying cocked his head. "Did you really think me to be a fool, young one?"

"What are you babbling about?" Siena spat.

The Creatures parted, revealing a crying Amaya, held by her wrists by two Creatures.

"AMAYA!" Siena and Merilina's scream tore through the towering Hall.

"Mommy!" the little screamed. "Help me!"

Siena took one look at her daughter, and threw down her weapons. She collapsed to her knees, tears in her eyes. "How could I have been so foolish …?" She looked up at the Great Eagle. "You can have me. You can 'preserve' me … just let her go …"

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Merilina was there, standing between Siena and the Great Eagle. "No! I will not let this happen!" She glared over her shoulder, down at her daughter. "Siena … I'm sorry I wasn't there for you … I'm sorry I wasn't a good Mother … please … be a better mother for Amaya …"

Siena stared up at Merilina. "Mother?"

"I hope you understand why I left you here … but there was another reason I had to leave you and everyone else behind …" Her body began glowing, emitting a pure white light.

Aang shielded his eyes.

Above Merilina's head, a hazy white image of golden stag appeared.

Aang sank to his knees, in utter shock.

Merilina was staring ahead, tears in her eyes. "Sozin and his men will not have been the first mortals to merge with a spirit. I was. Many years ago … Fei Lian merged with me, and I have housed her spirit in my body ever since!"

Aang breathed in deeply. He thought back to when he was in one of the Air Libraries with Seizon, reading up on Fei Lian. He had found a vague quote about the Air Spirit. "Fei Lian is an illusion … her true self is as invisible as air … follow the currents of the world and you will find her …"

Merilina. Of course! She was the leader of the Court, the very organization behind the currents of the world's history! The manipulators of its events.

Merilina gazed over her shoulder, back at Aang. She was still glowing. "I housed the Air Spirit for all these years … With Fei Lian as part of me, I hoped to lead the Court – to its destruction! But now … now I must reveal the Air Spirit before I had hoped!"

Wan Shi Ying and the Creatures eyed Fei Lian's form warily. The ghostly image of the stag hardened, solidified as Fei Lian extricated herself from Merilina's form, appearing in her full mortal form. She pawed at the stone floors, her head down, antlers pointed threateningly at Wan Shi Ying.

The Eagle was not impressed. "Once I served you, Fei Lian. But under your watch, the Air Nomads were wiped out. And where were you as I struggle to save the survivors? No. Koh is my Master now! And you – you are mortal too!"

Wan Shi Ying lunged at Fei Lian, who galloped out of the way, rearing on her haunches, antlers slashing at the air. The bird spirit screeched and hovered in the air, talons out, wings spread.

The Creatures swarmed them. Siena readied her bow, taking down one, two three in one second. Merilina's sword was swinging. Aang took the legs out from two of them with his staff, before knocking another over a grand banquet table.

Siena was crying. She wrenched her wrists free of her captors. She was small, and couldn't understand what was going on around her. "Mommy!" Her eyes fixed on Siena and she ran straight for her.

Wan Shi Ying and Fei Lian were still locked in their titanic struggle. Fei Lian charged, and the bird grabbed her antlers with his talons. He pushed her back, dragging her along the floor by her horns, throwing her into an air statue at the far end of the room. Fei Lian staggered to her feet. Wan Shi Ying was coming full force, wings spread out, head flat, ready to ram her into the wall.

Fei Lian kicked her rear legs back twice, then charged, ramming Wan Shi Ying head on.

The Great Hall was in utter chaos.

On the other side, another door burst in and flooded the room with more Creatures. They were outnumbered. They were being overrun and fast.

Siena took two Creatures down with one shot. They disintegrated on the spot. She lined up her shot, when she saw her little girl running straight for her. Siena slung her bow over her shoulder and grabbed Amaya, huddling her close to her chest.

"Hinju! Shi-Lang! Cover me!"

The two men sheathed their swords and drew their own bows, unloading a volley, cutting down and disintegrating several Creatures, giving Siena and Amaya a clean shot for the door.

Wan Shi Ying circled, wings out, above the golden stag. From the side, he saw Siena making an escape with the little girl. With a great cry, the bird spirit slashed at Fei Lian, grabbing her again the by antlers and threw her far across the room.

Fei Lian was on her feet in an instant – and watched helplessly as Wan Shi Ying blocked Siena and Amaya's escape path.

Siena backed away. Amaya was crying, huddled into her chest.

Wan Shi Ying took a deadly step forward. And another.

Siena was looking left and right, for any hope of escape.

With a screech, Wan Shi Ying charged, talons out, ready to impale the young warrior and her daughter in the grip of his sharp talons.

Fei Lian charged, but was too far away. She'd never make it in time.

THUNK!

Siena stood there, eyes closed, ready for the inevitable. But nothing happened. She opened her eyes, and gasped.

Merilina was there. She had dived in between her daughter and granddaughter and the bird of prey, and had taken the full force of his talons. Her mouth was slack, but she had a look of triumph on her face.

With a roar of anger, Wan Shi Ying withdrew his talons from her gut. Merilina sunk to her knees, and collapsed in a heap.

"No!" Siena's voice tore through the auditorium.

Wan Shi Ying stepped over Merilina's body and made for Siena.

THUNK!

Wan Shi Ying stopped in mid-step. The bird-spirit had forgotten all about the stag spirit. Fei Lian's antlers had impaled the massive bird. Wan Shi Ying extricated himself from the stag's bony growths and staggered back.

Fei Lian was in a rage. Her host had sacrificed herself for her daughter and granddaughter.

And now Wan Shi Ying would feel her wrath.

Fei Lian kicked back her legs, and charged. She charged faster and harder, summoning all of her spirit magic. Her form glowed with raging golden energy. She rammed Wan Shi Ying at full power. The bird spirit shrieked in rage as Fei Lian leaped into the air, landing on him full force. At the moment of impact, Wan Shi Ying disintegrated into dust under her feet.

Around the room, the Creatures wailed, and instantly turned to dust around them. Aang coughed and hacked. "Ugh. I got some of their dust in my throat! Need … water!"

With Wan Shi Ying gone for good, Fei Lian turned to her former host. Merilina lay on her side, her breathing ragged. The Air Spirit pawed her with her feet. Merilina looked up at the Air Spirit sadly. "I'm … sorry … I tried …"

Siena fell to her knees at her Mother's side and clasped her hand. Amaya also knelt down next to her grandmother, holding her other hand.

"Mother … you idiot! Why did you go and do that?!" Siena was at a loss for words.

"For the same reason you kept Amaya safe for all these years." Merilina stroked her daughter's hair. "My little girl … all I wanted in life was to see you one last time … but you've given me an even greater gift …" She smiled up at little Amaya. "My little granddaughter … my little dewbug … I love you both beyond words …"

Amaya was crying. "Don't leave, Grandma! Please!"

Merilina's smile was bittersweet. "I will see you again, my little dewbug. One day soon. We'll all be together again … we'll be a family …"

Aang lingered off the side. He wiped his own tears away.

With a final sigh, Merilina's chest stopped moving. Her spirit departed, leaving behind the old, withered shell that houses us all. Siena and Amaya held the older woman, sobbing silently into the night.

Siena took Amaya, and drew her in close, rocking her, cradling her.

Suddenly, Fei Lian inserted her nose between the mother and daughter. The stag let out a tiny pink tongue, which licked Amaya's small cheek. The little girl stared up into the eyes of the beautiful gold stag.

Fei Lian stared back into the little girl's eyes … those eyes. She had the same eyes as her grandmother.

Amaya reached out, and grabbed the stag's head, nuzzling her face into Fei Lian's.

And Fei Lian began glowing. The Air Spirit suddenly changed shape, morphing into a mist. Before anyone could react or say anything, the mist flew into Amaya's chest. The little girl glowed, and there was a blinding flash of light.

And it was over just as quickly.

Siena blinked, holding her little girl tightly. "What just happened?"

Aang wiped his own tears away. "Fei Lian felt a connection with Amaya … she merged with your daughter, just as she did with your Mother."

"I don't understand … my daughter is merged with the Air Spirit?"

"As hard as it may be to believe, I think so."

Amaya was laughing in Siena's arms. She had a new look of peace and serenity about her.

Siena drew her daughter in, and rocked her.

.

.

.

"We will rebuild," Siena declared. She observed the Great Hall with Hinju and Shi-Lang. "Wan Shi Ying was supposed to be the Caretaker … but he let this place fall into disrepair. I will rebuild it … and truly turn it into a sanctuary for all people."

"I like that idea," Aang said. He rubbed the back of his head. "But … your daughter is now merged with the Air Spirit. She won't be safe here. Koh will have known what happened here, and he will let the Court know. Ready or not … Sozin will be coming for your daughter."

Siena nodded. "I know. That's why I'm entrusting you."

"Me?" Aang took a look at the little girl smiling up at him. "Oh no … I like kids and all, but I'm not ready to be a parent! I'm only thirteen!"

Siena laughed. "Relax. You'll not be raising her. You'll just be the babysitter …"

"What with all the crazy stuff we've gotten up to, I don't think she'll be safe with me and my friends -."

"You said it yourself," Siena replied. "Sozin is coming for her. I would never stand a chance against him. But you – you can keep my daughter safe. You and your friends. I know you can't bend … but you will find a way. The Avatar always finds a way. There's another reason." Siena sighed. "I was trapped here for many years. Amaya was born here. She knows of no other life outside these walls. Please, Avatar Aang. Show her life beyond the cold stone. Let my little girl live."

Aang wiped away the tears from his eyes. "I promise … I will keep her safe. Sozin will never get his hands on her."

Siena sheathed her weapons. "Besides … before we rebuild, it's time to join in with this war. Hinju. Shi-Lang. Are you ready?"

Aang's mouth was agape. "You're joining the war effort?"

"You saw us in action. We can fight. And you guys will need all the help you can get if you're going to take down Fire Lord Sozin once and for all."

Aang nodded. "Thank you."

Siena kneeled down before her little girl. "Mommy, I don't want to leave," she protested.

Siena smiled and ruffled her hair. "I know. But it's only for a little while, I promise. I will come find you and we can explore the world together."

Amaya reached out and hugged her mother tight.

"You be good for Mr. Aang."

Aang sighed. "It's time to go, Amaya. Appa will be expecting us."

"Appa?"

The Avatar smiled. "He's a sky bison."

Amaya looked down at the stuffed sky bison in her hands. "Like this?"

"Yes. Except real. And bigger. And fluffier!"

Amaya's eyes were wide. "I like fluffy!"

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.

.

It was nighttime when Appa arrived at the Western Air Temple. Team Avatar was camped outside around a fire. Katara was still angrily practicing her Waterbending drills. Sokka and Suki were furiously making out, leaving Zuko, Seizon and Toph sitting there highly uncomfortable.

Zuko perked his eyes up. "It's Aang!"

Sokka extricated himself from Suki. "Aang? He survived! That crazy lady didn't kill him!"

Aang slid off Appa's saddle.

Team Avatar stared at the little girl clutching a stuffed bison.

"Guys – say hello to the newest member of Team Avatar! Amaya!"

Sokka scratched his head, perplexed. "Where did you pick up a kid from? Just because we found you in an iceberg doesn't mean you can go around snatching kids up from villages …" His eyes widened in horror as Katara approached the little girl and immediately made friends with her. "Oh my goodness, as if Katara wasn't already enough of a Mom!"

Katara froze his mouth shut for good measure.