BOOK 3: FIRE
CHAPTER 1: THE AWAKENINGS
The Avatar is dead . . .
Word spread fast of his demise to all four corners of the world. Those who knew him, who he helped, wept bitterly as all hope has gone from the world. The Fire Nation seemed to be rejoicing upon Avatar's death excepted for the Fire Nation Resistance who opposes Ozai from within their own country; the Hundred Year War raged for so long that the Resistance has been created from within the homeland to help end the war sooner war. When they learn of the Avatar's death they knew it ultimately fell to them to free the world from Ozai corroding fingers. Far in the many North islands of the Fire Nation where Resistance made their main base with the combined strength of the outcast Fire Nation Red Army and the various displaced warrior tribes the Resistance was founded to fight back against Ozai. But they need more allies if they are going to win this. But without the Avatar, the Resistance courage was shaken. In the night they held a candle vigil in his honor, knowing the world seemed a bit less bright without him. But if they must fight on without him then they will. For they have all of eternity to free the homeland. For they knew that the Avatar will be reborn in the next phase of the cycle, that a single spark will ignite the fires hope again to bring peace back to the world.
But the Avatar's death did not come for him yet. As Aang will discover in time that death rarely represents the end to people like him.
It was long time for everyone waiting patiently for Aang to awakened, but they were thankful that he did. Aang opens his eyes and rises from his bed, visibly shaken and in pain, "What happened?" he asked himself. Then he saw Fire Nation designs and flag on the wall and immediately assumes he has been captured. "Oh no!" He leaves his room, carefully creaking open the door and peering outside for any sign of Fire Nation soldiers. Using his glider as a crutch, Aang stumbles across the hall, occasionally leaning on the wall for support due to being so weakened. He stops at a turn in the hallway upon hearing two guards, who are actually Pipsqueak and The Duke talking about current events. Then they heard a noise nearby.
"You hear something?"
Aang retreats behind the wall, where he quickly steps back out to send a weak air blast at them, which only ruffles their clothes, and moves past the hallway, quickly. "He's awake!" The two begin chasing Aang, who struggles to escape. "Stop! Wait!"Pipsqueak shouted after Aang.
Aang manages to reach the deck of the ship, however, he stumbles on the stairway and drops his staff. It slides over to where Hakoda and Bato, disguised as Fire Nation soldiers, who are petting Momo.
"Momo?"
Momo runs toward Aang, jumps on his shoulder and licks his face. Toph, Katara, Asura and Indra who are wearing dark red cloaks standing near the edge of the ship, hear the events. They turn to see their friend awake and well, somewhat.
"Twinkle Toes! That's got to be you!"
"Aang, you're awake!"
"Well so help me, I'm actually relieved to see you alive." Asura jumped about.
Indra stayed where he was, staring forlornly at the Avatar. Aang rubs his Rubs eyes as the two race over to him. "Are you sure? I feel like I'm dreaming."
Katara hugs Aang tightly. "You're not dreaming. You're finally awake."
Then Sokka, Dante and V appear to see their friend, happy that he was up and about. Sokka gives Aang the biggest bear hug he could give. "Aang, good to see you back with the living, buddy!"
"Come to join me crew, Master Aang?" V walked forward with a silver peg leg where his right leg should be and Griffon on his shoulder. "Har-har, Aang, lad." He said pretending to be a parrot. Dante walked with a crutch and an eye patch over his left eye which he lifts up to wink at him. Aang looked at all three to see they are all disguised as Fire Nation navy personal; Aang started breathing heavily while starting to stagger a bit.
Toph detected the signs and gave the warning."Uh-oh, somebody catch him, he's going to-"
*BANG!*
Aang have pass out hard onto the deck hard. "You killed him . . . again." Griffon commented.
After awhile Aang is awake once again. He sits in front of Katara, also sitting, surrounded by Dante, V, Indra, Asura Toph and Sokka who are concern for their friend. Appa rests behind them. Aang receives a robe to cover him from the cold sea air.
"Why are we on a Fire Nation ship? Why is everyone dressed this way? And why am I the only one who's completely out of it?" Aang asked.
"It's called being alive, Aang." Dante stated as a matter-of-fact.
Everyone decided to leave Katara and Aang alone as she tried to explain everything to him. "You need to take it easy, okay? You got hurt pretty bad. I like your hair." Katara gave him one of her smiles.
Aang's eyes widened in shock. "I have HAIR?" He quickly feels it.
"Yeah, well come to the Shorthaired-club." Dante gives Aang a light punch in the arm.
"How long was I out?" Aang asked.
"A few weeks." Katara said.
Hakoda, Katara and Sokka's father walks up to them. "Everything okay?"
The sudden appearance of him caused looking away, annoyed. "We're fine, Dad."
"I'm Hakoda, Katara and Sokka's father." Aang moves to shake Hakoda's outstretched hand in friendship. However Katara placed her hands on Aang's shoulders stopping him. "He knows who you are. I just called you "Dad", didn't I?"
"I guess you're right."
Removing Katara's hand he shakes Hakoda's hand. "Nice to officially meet you, Chief Hakoda".
"It's an honor to meet you." Hakoda said.
"Great, great, so now you guys have finally met. So would you mind giving us a little privacy?"
"Of course." Hakoda final walks away leaving the Avatar and his daughter alone; Aang on the other hand was confused on Katara's behavior to her own father. He thought she would be glad to see him again. But now she seems . . . distance, cold to him. What has changed since he was out? He wonders. "Are you mad at your dad or something?" he asked.
Katara looks at Hakoda leave with an expression of annoyance on her face. Upon hearing Aang's inquiry she give a confused looked, "not at all. Why would you say that?"
Aang shrugs and murmurs as if to say "I don't know." but gasps in pain.
"Maybe we should go upstairs. You need a healing session." Back in Aang's room Katara bends some water onto the scar left by Azula's lightning attack.
"Tell me where the pain feels most intense."
"Mmm, a little higher. Uhhh!"
Aang briefly flashes back to the battle at Old Ba Sing Se where he rose into the Avatar State, then back to reality."
"Wow, you're definitely in the right area there."
"I can feel a lot of energy twisted up around there." she begins to remove the water. "Let me just see if I can-"
As Katara bends the water from Aang's scar, he suddenly jerks backward and again flashes back to the battle at Old Ba Sing Se, to the moment where he was shot by Azula's lightning. Dante engulfed by red fire. The flashback then changes to Katara is tearfully looking over Aang, looking comatose, flying on top of Appa as they flee Ba Sing Se. Then he saw something that never happened at all: the same cloak man from that last dream holding the Yamato, running Aang through the chest. After that, he snaps back to reality shaken and disturbed.
"I went down! I didn't just get hurt, did I? It was worse than that. I was gone! But you brought me back."
"I just used the spirit water from the North Pole. I don't know what I did exactly."
Aang turned to look at her. "You saved me."
Katara noticed Aang was getting a close to her, placing a hand on the side of his face; she reminded him what he needed at this moment. "You need to rest."
Today was a great day for the people of the Fire Nation. In the capital, Li and Lo, advisors to Azula and Ozai, addressed a crowd below. The twins Li and Lo began with a speech detailing all that has happened.
"Your Princess Azula, clever and beautiful, disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth Kingdom's Capital. In Ba Sing Se, she found her brother Zuko, and together they faced the Avatar ... And the Avatar fell! And the Earth Kingdom fell! Azula's agents quickly overtook the entire city. They went to Ba Sing Se's great walls ... And brought them down! The armies of the Fire Nation surged through the walls and swarmed over Ba Sing Se, securing our victory. Now the heroes have returned home!"
Azula and Zuko stood in the shadows waited to be announced. The generals, ministers, lords, ladies and politicians that are loyal to Ozai stood with them talking. When it was time they silence and exited the room leaving Azula and Zuko alone to be welcomed back into the sun.
"Your princess, Azula ... And after three long years, your prince has returned ... Zuko." Azula came with a proud smile while Zuko approaches with a worried expression. Regardless the crowd cheers in thunderous applause. "The Fire Nation thanks you! The Fire Nation salutes you!"Li and Lo declared. Azula and Zuko simultaneously raised their arms forward, hands point to the horizon saluting the people of the fire Nation.
On cue Royal guard thunderously stomped to attention and beat the ground with end of their spears three times before returning the salute, chanting: "HAIL OZAI! HAIL AZULA! HAIL ZUKO! ALL HAIL THE SPIRIT OF FIRE! ALL HAIL THE SPIRIT OF VICTORY!
Regardless of the blind displaced fanaticism on display here Zuko felt worried, not that he had to face his people again, he was worried that he had to face his father again, and this time there may be not be so happy about the results.
Back to Team Avatar's ship Sokka sits on a crate with a map with the others surrounding him as he explains the past events. "After what happened at Ba Sing Se, we had to get you to safety. We flew back to Chameleon Bay where we found my father and the other Water Tribe men. The Earth King decided he wanted to travel the world in disguise, so he set off alone. Well, not completely alone, given Bosco. Soon, the bay was overrun by Fire Nation ships. Rather than fight them all, Dante suggested we captured a single ship and made it our disguise. Since then we've been traveling west. We crossed through the Serpent's Pass a few days ago. We've seen a few Fire Nation ships, but none have bothered us."
"Don't always think that." Dante reminded him.
"So what now?" Aang asked.
"Hopefully, not a war of attrition." Indra commented.
"We've been working on a modified version of the invasion plan." Hakoda began.
"It's Sokka's invasion plan." Katara reminds her father sharply.
"Yes, Sokka's plan. We won't be able to mount a massive invasion without the Earth King's armies, but the solar eclipse will still leave the Fire Nation vulnerable."
"So we're planning a smaller invasion. Just a ragtag team of our friends and allies from around the Earth Kingdom. We already ran into Pipsqueak and The Duke."
Pipsqueak eating noodles with The Duke on his shoulder. "Good to see you again, Aang!"
"They will do, I guess." Indra said. Asura only agreed with a loud slurp from his bowl of noodles.
"Beggars can't be choosers, kid." Dante said to Indra. "Especially if they are thrown into thick of it."
"And the best part is, the eclipse isn't even our biggest advantage!" Sokka leans in to whisper in Aang's ear. "We have a secret ... You!"
"Me?"
"Yep, the whole world thinks you're dead! Isn't that great?" Sokka stands up and raises both of his fists triumphantly.
Aang is shocked. No, shocked would be an understatement, he was horrified. To Aang looked out to the water from a side of the boat with his head spinning like crazy. "The world thinks I'm dead? How is that good news? That's terrible!"
"Yeah, it sucks." Dante commented sarcastically while leaning on the ships railing watching the sea before him.
Sokka approached Aang, he disagreed with that." No, it's great! It means the Fire Nation won't be hunting us anymore! And even better, they won't be expecting you on the Day of Black Sun!"
"No, no, no, no, no. You have no idea. This is so messed up!" Aang said with his hands on his head.
"How do you know it is 'messed up' to be dead if you have never been truly dead before?" V said while reading from a book. Aang turned to V before going into deep in thought about what V just said.
Team Avatar's ship was caught in a mighty storm that rocked the boat with pounding waves and bright streaks of lightning.
Another Fire Nation ship approaches. Aang stands up ready to tackle anything that would threaten the world. "I'll handle this. The Avatar is back." he opens glider and grunts in pain. His body is not healed completely yet. Katara quickly stops them. "Aang, wait! Remember, they don't know we're not Fire Nation!"
Sweating from the pain, Aang puts his glider away. Hakoda and Bato put their helmets on. Dante stands up to go with them only to have Katara grab his shoulder. "Dante … please, just stay here." Katara said with a tone that made everyone turn to her, she sounded more or less worried.
"Katara. I'll be fine. Just trust me." He said. Katara let go him and allowed him to go with Hakoda and Bato. Dante knew that she saw him in Old Ba Sing Se in his demon form. That would explain why she was acting strange around him.
"Everyone just stay calm." Hakoda, Bato and Dante put their helmets on. "We'll will take care of this."
Pipsqueak and The Duke cover Appa and Momo, while Aang, Toph, Sokka, Katara, Asura and Indra hide in a square hole. V heads up to the bridge in the ships tower where Griffon and Shadow manned the controls.
"I hate not being able to do anything." Aang grumped.
"Hopefully, you won't need to." Toph said.
The crew from the other ship boards Team Avatar's ship. Dante study the ship, how many crewmen were on board and how many catapults would be firing at them if they screwed up here.
"Hail Ozai." Fire Navy officer greeted with the Fire Nation straight arm salute.
"Hail Ozai." Hakoda, Bato and Dante repeated while copying the gesture.
"Commander, why are you off course? All Western Fleet ships are supposed to be moving toward Ba Sing Se to support the occupation!" Fire Navy officer said in a demanding tone.
"Actually, we're from the Eastern Fleet. We have orders to deliver some cargo." Hakoda answered.
Upon hearing the answer Fire Navy officer relaxed. "Ahhh ... Eastern Fleet. Well, nice of Admiral Chan to let us know he was sending one of his ships our way."
"I'm sure Admiral Chan meant no disrespect, sir." Bato said.
"I mean, how hard is it to write a quick note and send a hawk our way?" Fire Navy officer asked a very reasonable question.
Bato and Hakoda glance at each other. "Next time, we'll send two hawks to make sure you get the message."
The two bow to each other, and Hakoda, Bato and Dante exit. And that was that. They free to go on their merry way . . . or so they thought.
"Sir ... Admiral Chan has been on leave for two months at Ember Island." A guard whispered to his commanding officer who eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why doesn't ANYONE ever tell me anything?" the commander looked back at the three officers and their ship and felt something was off. "Something's not right; they should have known that. I think this is a captured ship. Just stay quiet until we're safely across the ramp. Then we'll sink this ship."
Toph, hearing this, emerges shouting: "THEY KNOW!" Toph metalbends the bridge between the ships off sending the captain and his guards into the water, Katara creates a large wave which separates the other ship from theirs.
"HARD TO STARBOARD!" Dante shout to the command bridge.
V gives the order and Shadow used his tail to push the acceleration lever and he turned the ship right and Team Avatar's ship departs quickly. The captain and his guards from the other ship climbs back on board theirs by rope ladder. The chase is on. The Fire Nation ship went full speed ahead to the capture vessel. The second ship begins firing at Team Avatar's. Dante takes a firebending stance while Toph takes an earthbending stance with The Duke standing behind her to guide her.
"Load the Toph!" commanded Toph.
Pipsqueak drops a boulder in front of Toph, Dante uses concentrated firebending to super heat the rock quickly, and then Toph begins earthbending it at the attacking ship. It hits a catapult causing the rock shakes and showers the deck and crew with burning bits of stone. Others try to fight back with a series of rocks that Toph earthbends at the other ship. With The Duke's guidance and Dante's firepower Toph earthbends another piece of rock and sends it to intercept the oncoming fireball. Aang, inside the ship with Sokka, makes a move to help but is stopped by Sokka. In frustration he bangs his head against his staff. The other ship fires a harpoon, piercing a hole in Team Avatar's ship's bottom. As water flows in, Katara, noticing this, freezes the water below to plug the hole.
"I'm gonna give us some cover!" Katara shouts when she gets a clever idea. She brings up vapor from the water to create a fog screen. However, a fireball makes its way through and destroys the rocks that Toph had been using. Dante gets an idea and goes to the side where the enemy ship is. He quickly took a guess where the ship is through the vapor and generates lightning and fires it toward the ship hitting it in the side damaging it. Then there was distant *boom* followed by a whistling sound that grew louder before it hit in the water beside the Team Avatar's ship.
"Shellfire!" Dante shouted.
Griffon heard the news and almost went crazy. "V, Oh we are in the shit now!"
"We will get out of it." Valen said calmly.
"How can you be sure?" Griffon asked.
"I'm an optimist."Valen replied.
Down below Aang was hearing the battle on deck. He was getting restless so much so that he feared they may get hit and the ship may explode or sink. But he be damn if he allow his friends to fight a battle that he wasn't a part of. "I just can't stand by and do nothing!" Aang runs out with Sokka going after him. "Aang, no! You're still hurt, and you have to stay secret! Just let us handle this." Aang grabs his staff that Sokka had and walks away. Damned it is then.
Up on deck two fireballs hit the ship causing a fire. Katara quickly extinguishes it with waterbending. Even if they keep running the ship will send word and they will have more on their tale. Dante continues to fire lightning at the ship.
"How are we doing?" Toph asked Sokka.
"Things couldn't get much worse." He said just a serpent rises from the water near their ship. Sokka turns around and looks at it in despair before wetting his pants. "The universe just loves proving me wrong, doesn't it?"
"You make it too easy!" Toph commented.
"Maybe we should throw Sokka to the Serpent." Dante said grabbing Sokka by the collar from behind and lifting him up to the sea serpent. "Here is the bastard who slaughtered half your people." Dante shouted while holding Sokka over the railing. For a moment Sokka wondered if Dante was serious on throw his him to the beast as a snack. Suddenly the serpent is hit by a fireball from the other ship. In anger, it wraps itself around the other ship, allowing Team Avatar's ship to escape.
"Thank you, the universe!" Sokka shouted before turning to look behind him at Dante. "Okay Dante you can let me go now."
"Okay." Dante said and let go of Sokka as he plummeted to the water below. Sokka popped up and struggled to stay afloat until Dante used demonic Ophion to snatch him out of the water and hauling him aboard like a fish.
"We got a whopper! Toph get the club and hit it!" Dante said.
"On it." Toph replied
"N-No!" Sokka shouted as he crawled away quickly.
As the water calmed Aang returned to his room to rest from the ordeal, but before he could there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?"
The door opened and in stepped Indra, wanting check up on him. "I came by to see who you were feeling."
"Besides not being able to help when trouble comes … fine." Aang said dryly.
"I'm sorry to hear that. But you see the reason-"
"The reason?" Aang suddenly raised his voice slightly. "The reason is become I'm hurt, I'm hurt because Azula attacked me. She attacked because I wasn't mindful of my surroundings. Because of that the world paid the price."
Indra nodded and went over to a chair to take a seat. "If you are trying to say that the world has ended because of your failure, it hasn't. The world still spins like the round ball it is through the cosmos."
"The world is a round ball?" Aang asked.
"Not important. What is important is that fact you survived. You willed yourself back from death because you knew that being dead was not going to fix your mistake."
"But Katara is the one who brought me back."
"Did she? I was there watching as she used the water from the North Pole Oasis. She said that all it does is heal, correct? Then that means it has no power to bring the dead back to life."
"You're wrong, Indra she-"
"She, like the others wish to keep you away. That is why they … confined you to you quarters." Indra stood up and walked till he was looking down at Aang. "But what have you done to warrant this type of punishment? They could give you their reasons, yes they could. But it is all useless. There are bigger things going than the feelings of friendship. And that is defeating Ozai."
". . . On the day of Black Sun." Aang said.
"Yes. That seems to be the only thing they will share with you while you are in here while you're healing. Tell me friend, have you ever heard the expression: Out of sight, out of mind? It applies not only to your friends but everyone who is living upon the earth." Aang thought for on everything that Indra said. Some he disagreed with and others he could not argue with, or rather he knows what he has to do but his body is limited at this moment.
"I need to do something, anything. Indra would lend me you help?"
Indra walked toward the door. "Perhaps, but it is not guarantee to work." He turned back to Aang to look him straight into his soul. " … But how bad do you want to save the world?"
"I'll do anything."
"Then I have just a place; We are currently heading to the port. From there is a … island. The island where Roku's Temple once stood. That's where you need to go once we land. Only then can you have what you need. Do we have an accord?"
Aang looked and Indra's hand before gripping tightly with determination. "Agreed."
Aang then noticed the black veins on his wrist. "Hey what is wrong with your wrist?"
Indra hides his hand in his long sleeves as if he was ashamed of it. "If you want to help the world, start with me and my brother, Asura. Our time is short but you can give it back to us, if you choose to." With that Indra left Aang alone with his thoughts.
Finally, Team Avatar's ship arrived a port in a town. Aang once again is alone in his room, until the rest of the gang entered Aang was in the middle of some … personal time with himself. Fortunately he pulled the covers over his erection just in time.
"Hey, Aang! We're going into town to find some dinner." Toph said feeling a great hunger upon her.
Aang clutches his stomach in agreement. "Well, I am pretty hungry. Maybe dinner's a good idea."
"Here," Sokka offers a Fire Nation bandana. "Tie this around your head. It will cover your arrow."
"I'm not going out if I can't wear my arrow proudly!" He lies back down.
"What are you, advertising for a dating service on your forehead?" Dante asked sarcastically.
"Aang, come on. Be practical." Sokka pleaded but Aang refused to acknowledge he heard them.
Katara placing a hand on Sokka's shoulder with another idea in mind. "You guys go ahead without us. We'll catch up to you." Toph, Dante and Sokka exit. Katara sits on Aang's bed, placing a hand on his shoulder, finding was oddly sweaty. "I think I understand why being a secret bothers you so much. You don't want people to think you failed."
"You're right, I don't. But the problem is, I did fail!" Aang stated.
"Aang, that's not true." Katara disagreed.
Aang gets up, enraged. "It is true. I was in Ba Sing Se. I was there! But I lost. And now the Earth Kingdom is fallen for good."
Katara gets up as well, trying to get Aang to see the bright said. "It's not for good. Remember, there's still a plan. The invasion!"
Aang rips down the Fire Nation flag covering his staff. "And I HATE the invasion plan, too! I don't want you or anyone else risking your lives to fix my MISTAKES!" Aang quiets for a moment as he clams a little. "I've always known that I would have to face the Fire Lord. But now I know I need to do it alone."
Katara moving to comfort him but Aang will not have any of it. "Aang …"
Aang punches the wall hard causing her to back away. "Leave me! Katara, please! Just go ... please." Aang protested for a finally time.
"Is there anything you need?" Katara asked before she leaves him.
"I need to redeem myself. I need my honor back."
Down the hall a ways around a corner Indra was listening, and with a smile on his face, he finally knew he was getting what he wants at long last.
As for Aang he opened his eyes after he calmed down and saw that his fist was in a large dent in the wall, in the spot of where he punch in anger. Strange, how is he able to do that all of a sudden?
What … is happening to me?
Back at the Fire Nation Capital, Zuko feeds turtle ducks in a lake with some bread, the same place his mother did. Azula eventual finds and joins him.
"You seem so downcast. Has Mai gotten to you already? Though actually, Mai has been in a strangely good mood lately."
"I haven't seen Dad yet. I haven't seen him in three years, since I was banished."
"So what?"
"So, I didn't capture the Avatar."
"Who cares? The Avatar is dead ... unless you think he somehow miraculously survived. "
Zuko looks away unsure of the situation back to when Katara explained about her vial of spirit water in the Crystal Catacombs. She said she want to save it for something important. If she wants to help heal his wound then, there was no way now.
"No. There's no way he could have survived."
They glare at each other. "Well, then I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."
With that in mind Zuko gets up and returns to the royal palace and prepares to face his father, Ozai. He breathes deeply and enters through the halls to the doors of the throne room. Once Zuko was at the foot of the throne he bows before his father.
"You've been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels has changed you. I sense you have become more powerful than you were before you have redeemed yourself, my son. Welcome home." Ozai descends the throne and approaches Zuko; for first time three years Zuko was able to see the face, the eyes, of his father. Many people have said he looks like him, Zuko in the past could not see what they mean, but now he does.
"I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud because you and your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested by your treacherous uncle, you did the right thing and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment: you slayed the Avatar."
Zuko was shocked. "What did you hear?"
"Azula told me everything. She said she was amazed and impressed at your power and ferocity at the moment of truth."
Something was not right, Azula had never lied to father that he was aware of before. So why now, during a time where fate seems to be in the fire Nation's favor. He needed to know. That night Zuko went to Azula's room to find her asleep for the night. Usually she would be up entertained men and woman with various displays of excess ranging from high society to hedonism. But no orgies where planned, no praises of her triumph. It was all very strange.
"Why'd you do it?"
Azula answered him while she was trying to sleep. "You're going to have to be a little more specific." She said.
"Why did you tell Father that I was the one who killed the Avatar?"
"Can't this wait until the morning?"
"It. Can't."
Azula sighs and opens her eyes. "Fine. You seemed so worried about how Father would treat you because you hadn't captured the Avatar. I figured if I gave you the credit, you'd have nothing to worry about."
"But why?"
Azula finally got out of bed causing Zuko to avert his eyes elsewhere. Even though the room was dim he still saw Azula was naked as she went for her bedroom robe. "Call it a generous gesture. I wanted to thank you for your help and I was happy to share the glory."
"You're lying."
"If you say so." Azula says while walking past her brother, her eyes glowing like embers in the dimness.
"You have another motive for doing this, I just haven't figured out what it is."
"Please Zuko, what ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for defeating the Avatar?" Azula came closer to Zuko she places a hand on his shoulder. "Unless, somehow, the Avatar was actually alive. All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness. But you said it yourself, that was impossible."
"I wonder if that is something you're telling me . . . or are you really tell yourself due to fact that you strive to never miss your target." Zuko begins to leave.
"Sleep well, Zuzu." Azula watches her brother leave.
Back at the coast Dante stood next to a small brazier at the wharf where their ship was docked watched the waters on the horizon. Katara soon found Dante and joined him.
"Is that for Aang?" Dante asked.
"Yes. You seem deep in thought." Katara said.
Dante let down his hood to reveal his dark hair was now long is reaching down his back under his cloak. "After three years away from a country I called my home, I back. It feels ... strange."
Katara nods in understanding. Home is something that you never forget in your life. But as life marches on, home is something she has taken with her as she traveled with Aang.
"Dante …" she sighs before speaking again. "Down at old Ba Sing Se when you … turned to face Zuko and Azula … you became something-"
"Monstrous?" Dante finished for her.
Dante looked at his reflection in the rippling water below him. "Yeah what you saw was something … dark. A darkness that I lived with for a long time; it is part of me, and that day was the first in a long time I unleashed its power."
"What are you, Dante?" Katara asked.
"I'm … I understand you're scared to see me like … that. I was scared to. But I had to do something to scare the ones who may harm the people I care about. I faced many who would. I had to use what I had to fight them. I am a hunter in dark. But as to what I am … just … give me time, please. I could tell you now but things are a little turbulent at this time. But I promise … I will never harm you or anyone else."
Katara places a hand on his shoulder. "I believe you." she turns to go aboard to deliver Aang his portion of food.
"Kat." called Dante, a nickname he never thought he would use again.
She looked back at him and he took a few steps to her. "I don't know what going on with you and your father, but I hope you can find it in your heart forgive him. In this wide unforgivable world … he's the only one you got."
Katara thought for a moment before nodding, she will try. She continued on to Aang room. "I brought you some food!" she notices Aang has gone missing. "Oh no ..." Drops the food tray and runs. Katara runs toward Bato and Hakoda.
"I'll leave you two alone." Bato said and exits.
Hakoda saw his own daughter is in tears. She wasn't like this since her mother. "What's wrong, Katara?" he asked.
"He left."
"What?"
"Aang. He just took his glider and disappeared. He has this ridiculous notion that he has to save the world alone, that it's all his responsibility."
"Maybe that's his way of being brave."
"It's not brave, it's selfish and stupid! We could be helping him and I know the world needs him, but doesn't he know how much we need him, too? How can he just leave us behind?
Hakoda realized to question she really asking, and asked: "You're talking about me too, aren't you?"
Katara decided not to beat around the bush anymore and decided to open the flood gates that she had kept close for a long time.
"How could you leave us, Dad? I mean, I know we had Gran-Gran, and she loved us, but we were just so lost without you."
Hakoda moves to comfort her as she turns away. "I'm so sorry, Katara."
Katara embraces Hakoda as she cries her heart out. "I understand why you left. I really do, and I know that you had to go, SO WHY DO I STILL FEEL THIS WAY? I'm so sad and angry and hurt!"
"I love you more than anything. You and your brother are my entire world. I thought about you every day when I was gone and every night when I went to sleep, I would lie awake missing you so much it would ache. But it would unbearable to come and find you and Sokka gone like you mother."
Father and daughter embraced each other until they heard a sound at the door. They look and saw Dante poked his head out to with his black hair hanging from the side. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop on you. I heard you guys and I uh … I feared the worst, Heh."
Even with tears in her eyes Katara laughed a little at how silly Dante looked with his head sticking out in the doorway. "No, no, we're fine. We're fine." She said.
"All good here." Hakoda said in agreement.
Dante smiled and straighten up as he walks toward them. "I'm glad … but I have something to ask you guy: Have any of you seen Aang, Asura or Indra?"
Both Hakoda and Katara became shocked. "Asura and Indra are gone too?"
Dante eyes widened. "Is Aang missing too?"
Aang struggles to remain in flight against his injuries. Eventually he comes upon a Fire Nation blockade. He takes a deep breath and swims under it. Upon emerging, he finds a tree bark and rides it like a surfboard through the water. A storm turns the seas very choppy. He falls off into the water and his staff flies away. Aang struggles to stay above water or reach his glider. After letting out a scream, a wave overcomes him and he falls into the water. He re-emerges after a brief time.
"I'm not gonna make it. I failed." Within the lightning strikes, the spirit of Roku appears before Aang. "Roku?"
"You haven't failed, Aang." Roku said.
"But everyone thinks I'm dead again. They think I've abandoned them, and I'm losing this war. I'm letting the whole world down."
Aang's lament causes Roku to reflection at his past mistakes. "If anyone is to blame for the state of the world, it is me. I should have seen this war coming and prevented it. You inherited my problems and my mistakes. But I believe you are destined to redeem me and save the world."
"I … I don't know"
The storm ends. The spirit of Roku disappears. The moon celestial light shines down on Aang as he sees Yue's spirit above him. "You already saved the world. And you'll save the world again, but you can't give up."
As Yue's spirit descends toward Aang his taken as in some form of rapture. Yue lips touched his as they kissed, embracing each other. The two caressed each other as he push inside slowly. The slow sighs escaped their lips. Avatar and Moon Spirit locked in union, one soul in need of help and another reassuring him that all is not lost. Their climax came and he returns to reality, staying afloat above the water. "You're right. I won't give up." Aang said with determination.
He creates a wave and surfs it with the tree bark. Yue's spirit watches him leave, only to see a shadow emerge for the depths of the sea to engulf her in its hand. She closes her eyes places a hand on her abdominal as a small light shines within, she smiles knowing that that even the faint light shines brightest when it's surrounded by darkness.
It was still night as Aang washes up at the base of a volcano, on the same crescent island where Roku's temple once was. Someone approaches him and taps him with a stick. Aang grounds and opens his eyes to see too familiar faces by the light of a torch.
"Asura … Indra? Is that you?" asked Aang.
"Yes." Asura said.
"Are you damaged in any way?" Indra asked.
"No … I don't think so." Aang said after he groans.
"In that case ..." Indra took a step and punch Aang hard enough to knock him out. Asura grabbed Indra's shoulder. "What is now?" Indra asked.
"Must we do this?" Asura asked.
"We are running out of time. We will crumble away if we don't. If we It is the only way." Indra stated.
"We need his power to fix the damage done by Sozin and Roku."
"I can't kill him." Asura whispered. "He's our friend."
Indra looked at Asura before reaching out his head to and unconscious. "I know . . . but we have done what must be done. If Aang was awake … If Aang was awake and we told him everything, he would tell us to do it. Save ourselves, for our sake." As Indra spoke the black vein began to spread further up Indra's and Asura's body, reaching their faces and causing them to feel weak. "We … We are running out of time!" Indra coughed.
Asura looked at Indra, seeing how defenseless he was before sighing, relenting to Indra's decision. He reached forward waiting for Indra's signal. Indra nodded "It may kill him, it may not. We just need enough to restore us back together … ready … now!"
With they combine effort Asura and Indra forced open the energy within Aang, like creating a crack in a large dam. The energy began to come out and flowed into the two boys. The black vein on their skin and faces began to retract and the two began to glow.
"Almost there! … I think that is enough." Indra said and Asura stopped and gripped each other shoulders, tightly. Now all they have to is draw the symbol that would complete the act. In the air in front the two traced with their fingers, Asura with his left and Indra with his right, an ancient symbol. Then with the hands that drew with them put them together, and with their last breath the two they spoke the symbol's name: "Berkana."
A great burst of light exploded from the two as their body fused back into their complete form. The light vanished and in Asura and Indra's place stood a boy no older than Dante in appearance. He opened his eyes and parted hands and breathed the free air once again. He looked at his hands and his restored body in satisfaction.
"I'm alive!" the youth laughed in as he reveled in his victory. He noticed Aang was still on the ground. "Now Aang we just have to wait for your friends …"
The youth's eyes shifted to a pale colorless aspect as he tapped into a dark power that wrapped itself around his body in a cloud of black smoke filled of molten fire, embers and ash. This transformation finally ended to reveal the youth's terrorifying battle form. He turned around to go wait for his friends to come. The bait for the trap is set.
Sometime later Aang wakes to something licking his face. He sees Momo trying to wake him up. He smiles and laughs at seeing a friend.
"You're okay!"
Aang looked to see Katara, Sokka, Dante, Valen, and Toph running towards him. they all gave him a hug or a pat on the back. Aang's smile to see his friends faded as he remembers why he is all the way out here to begin with. "I have so much to do."
"I know, but you'll have our help." Katara said.
"You didn't think you could get out of training just by coming to the Fire Nation, did you?" Toph reminded Aang with a punch in the arm.
"… Or finding teacher so you can finally learn so REAL firebending." Dante added with a bit of noogies to Aang's head.
"You could teach him, save us some time." Sokka said.
Dante crossed his arms. "I thought you said it was a stupid element?"
"It is, but Aang has to learn it, not me. Sometimes stupid has to be learned." Sokka pointed out.
"Yes, that true." Katara nods her head. Sokka glared at his sister's jab.
"What about the invasion?" Aang asked.
"We'll join up with my dad and the invasion force the day of the eclipse." Sokka said.
"If shit hits the fan, and it WILL, we'll be ready to throw shit back." Griffon stated
"Well this is great but we still have to find Asura and Indra." Dante reminded of
So everyone walked back to Appa. Toph took a step and detected something on the beach. "Hey! What's ... oh, it's your glider." Toph points out Aang's damaged staff had washed ashore. Aang goes over and picks it up and looks at his most treasured gift that he had for a longest time.
"It's okay. If someone saw it, it would give away my identity. It's better for now that no one knows I'm alive." Aang flies up and sticks it in the volcano's lava trails, causing it to catch fire. But before they could get on Appa a fire came and hit Appa's tail sending him into a roar of pain.
"Appa!" Aang shouts. He turns to see who it was that dares hurt his friend and he along with everyone else wasn't expecting what they saw.
"You aren't going anyway, Avatar."
Standing on the volcano's lava trails in front of the burning glider was a tall board warrior with grey stone like skin, a cape of embers flame and smoke, with a helm in the design of a skull with ram horns on the sides. He walked with heavy footsteps down the hill to Team Avatar brandish a scythe that had two hull blades at both ends in opposite directions. He summoned another fireball and fires it at Aang airbends the projectile back at the warrior takes the projectile head-on, with it flames passing harmlessly over around his body.
"You . . . you're supposed to be dead!" Dante said upon seeing a familiar face that he and V encountered in a war long before the arrival of Avatar Kyoshi.
"You know him?" Katara asked.
"Know him? I killed him!" Dante said. "But apparently I forgot about something at the time."
"Return to me what is mine." The warrior said.
"And what would that be?" Katara asked.
The warrior looked them over until his eyes fell on Valen and he raised a finger and pointed to him. "You, cripple. Return the Yamato to me." He growled.
Everyone was quiet upon hearing this but after what was decided in Ba Sing Se when they found the Yamato they had to decline.
"What makes you think we have a Ya-mama-thingy?" Toph asked.
"For starters, it's on the cripple's waist." the warrior pointed out.
Sokka stepped in front of Valen. "No it's not." he tried to buff.
Dante had enough of beating around the bush. He walked over Valen pushed Sokka aside and took the Yamato from his waist. He then held it up for the warrior to see. "You want it then us for fight for it."
"Yeah! Nobody hurts Appa and gets away with it." Toph shouted and stomped her foot into the sand causing the ground to shake a little. She failed to protect Appa when he got captured in the desert but she will be damned if she didn't protect him from any more harm now.
"Don't get reckless." Valen said. "I sense this one's power. He's not as strong as he was before but he will mop the floor with us if we are not careful."
"Right then, I will engage him while the rest of you stay back." Dante stated.
"No, if you have to fight him then we all have to." Katara says in determination.
Dante Katara turns his back to everyone as he walked over to the warrior. "You along with Aang Sokka and Toph don't even know how to kill, so how can be helpful at this point?" Dante asked.
"Dante . . ." Sokka said until Dante cut him off.
"LOOK! I fought this guy before. You haven't. If I get killed then by all means step in. But for the time being: WATCH."
Everyone was surprised by this outburst from Dante. He was determined to fight a without anyone helping him. It is true he has done this before on more times than any Muppet resident of Sesame Street can count. But Dante is faceingoff again with something that should be dead. Dante summoned rebellion on his back and readied the Yamato by putting it through his belt on his left side. He sweeps rebellion across the ground to challenge this warrior. Katara readies to use the water in his waterskin as well as the water from the ocean itself if needs be. Sokka readies his boomerang and machete, Toph to her signature Earthbending stance. Valen snapped his fingers to summon Shadow and Griffon to read them to fight. If Dante can't put him down then they have to step in.
The warrior and Dante charged at each other attacking with their weapons. The strikes from the warrior's dual-edged scythe felt like heavier than what the weapon look like it could deal. Dante parried twisted spin dodged the scythe as it was going for his feet. The warrior fires another blast of fire. Dante blocked it with his sword though the impact sent him flying back several feet. He looked up to see the warrior bring down the scythe on his head. Dante rolled pushed himself up and cut the warrior in the back. A deep snarl emanated from his mouth through the helmet as he back-kicked at Dante. Dante quickly seized the warrior's giant boot and flipped him spinning into the air before hitting hard onto the sand.
"Takes more than that to stop me." The warrior laughed.
"Not a problem." Dante sheathed Rebellion and, waiting for his opponent to get to his feet, place his fingers on the handle on the Yamato. The warrior roars and he get up and swings his scythe sending slashes of flame that Dante dodged as soon as they came at him. He unsheathes the Yamato and did a horizontal cut at the warrior's leg. He yelled in pain before becoming enraged and charged at Dante. Then in a blur of speed Dante delivered thousands of cuts to the warrior's body. He was tough but it was slowing him down. Dante jumped over the warrior while stepping on his head, he landed behind him and targeted the spine. He returned the Yamato into its sheath before flicking it out to cut at the back in a sharp ring. He returned it to its scabbard slowly before it click causing the warrior body to burst with cuts spraying blood. Aang almost threw up at the sight of that much blood. The warrior was about to regain his composure until Valen walked up to it and readied his cane to deliver the final blow. "Little wanderer, hie thee home!"
With a thrust his silver cane pierced through the helm and jerks it out. Blood flowed down the neck of the warrior as stood up and dragged himself to the shore and finally collapsed just before the water's edge. His monstrous form began to dissipate back to his human form from before. Team Avatar cautiously walked over to what this person is. They circled him and Dante knelt down turning him over on his back face up.
"Who is he?" Katara asked.
"I don't know. I saw him before thousands of years ago. But if this is what he truly looks like."
Valen looks at the symbols on the guy's arm and chest. "Fascinating. He has runic symbols tattooed on him."
"Runic?" Aang asked.
"A form of writing that is not from around here." Dante said.
"Where did it come from?" Katara asked.
"From another world." Valen said. "And that brand on his left pectoral is also."
Dante looked over his shoulder at Valen. "V. . ."
"Dante I know what we vowed. But this is . . . this could be a sign on things to come."
Dante thought for a moment, if Iroh were here he would tell him to trust his gut, and his gut is telling him to seek some sage advice. "Are you all willing to visit a place that not many people have visited?"
The teens looked at each other before shrugging a reply. "What kind of place?" Sokka asked.
"Somewhere I have friends who can help tell us what this person is." Dante said.
"You want us to take him with us?" Aang asked with skepticism.
"Yes. I know he hurt Appa but I think that Shedim is made it easier for him to do that. Otherwise I think he's fine" Valen said. Aang thought for a moment sighed as he nodded the okay.
"Do we have any pants we can give him?" Katara finally asked. They noticed when the smoke clear that the guy was stark naked, but with a spare pair of Sokka's pants they slipped them on and wrapped him in a blanket. Appa grumbled as Dante carried the guy on his shoulder.
"Easy Appa, he's K.O., he harmless." Dante said.
Appa sniffed the young man before sneezing a bit, other than that he's fine with them bring him aboard. Once on board Aang took the reins and turned to Dante behind him. "Alright where to?"
"Second star to the right and straight on to morning." Valen said.
Everyone looked at him with confusion of what he said. Dante rolled his eyes and pulled out his trusty compass. "Uh … North-east from here."
"Appa, Yip-yip!" Aang commanded Appa.
Appa soared high into the air as Aang stirred him north-east. As they traveled they keep a watchful I on their new passenger who was stilled unconscious from the battle before. Toph placed a hand on the guy's chest and found he still had a heart beat. But she sensed something off within this man … something in the bones. Her hand trailed down his stomach, feeling the detail of his abs, before she stopped where the groining was. She bit her lower lip and slid her hand onward. Her eyes narrowed as she feels the brush of hair, the softness of the skin, the raggedness of the two flesh orb underneath. She quickly removed her hand to try to occupy herself with other things, hoping no one saw what she was doing. Eventually, as the sun finally came, Team Avatar came to their destination.
"Is this the place?" Aang asked since he followed Dante's instructions.
Dante nodded. "Yeah, take us down."
Appa landed on the shore of an idea that was basically a small forest in the middle of a vast ocean. Dante picked up young warrior and carried him as he led Team Avatar into the woods. Katara looked up at the sky through the trees that swayed slightly in the wind. The forest itself was peaceful as the small animals move along the tree truck and branches while the larger ones striding the ground below. Up ahead was a cabin made from logs of trees with smoke come out of the roof indicating that someone was home.
They went to the door Valen knocked three times and waited. He again knocked with more musically rhythm only this time the door slowly creaked opened. Everyone entered inside looking at all the furnishings; tables a bed and a cooking pit in the middle of the room that is cooking something. Sokka didn't hesitate to go over to the pot to see what it is.
"HMM, something smells good!" Sokka said as he takes the ladle sitting in the pot and stirs it before gives it a taste.
"Sokka, you shouldn't be eating other people's food." Katara warns her brother.
"Katara, remember who he is. He thinks with his nose and stomach, which is part of his genius." Aang said.
"Thank you, Aang." Sokka said. He smacks his lips together after he tastes the stew. "It is very good, whatever this is."
"It's a hedgehog and potato stew." said a voice.
"Really? I thought it was more like a platypus and squash s . . ." Sokka suddenly became silent as he turn around to find someone with their back to him preparing some food on a table.
"It's not ready. But thank you from your comment." The stranger turned around and dropped the food into the pot. He then looked up at them and before stirring the food. "It's nice to see again Dante and Valen." the stranger said. He went over to shake their shoulders in greeting. "Who are your friends?"
Dante nodded. "Right. The guy who tasted your food is Sokka." He then swept his hand to the rest of Team Avatar. "And this is Katara – Sokka's sister, the short powerhouse is Toph, and last one is Aang. Everyone this is my friend Atreus and … Hey where is the others?" Dante asked wondering where the others are.
Atreus snapped his fingers upon realizing his friends were out in the backyard. He waved for everyone to follow him as he to the back door with everyone following him. The backyard a tent with a blacksmith shop setup underneath; there were a pair of dwarves hammering and sharpening their new creations.
"Mimir! Sindri! Brokk! We have company." Atreus announced.
"Ooh, Dante! Valen! You're still alive." Sindri said as he went over to the barter table.
"Well it's about goddamn time!" Brokk paused in his work and came over to the table also" With the Fire Nation running around like a fucking bull ready to stamped through a brick wall, I wonder who would by from us now."
To everyone else the dwarves are a real compare and contrast. One is grey and the other blue. One wears golden armor while the other wears sturdy leather rough with rough metal plating. One is polite the other blunt. One has a full head of hair pulled back in a ponytail while the other has no hair at all. Both work as a team in harmony.
"Everyone this Brokk and Sindri - Masters of the Forge. Brokk and Sindri this is Katara, Sokka, Toph and Aang – The Avatar." Atreus introduced.
"A pleasure to meet all of you." Sindri bowed before them.
"Same here. Now, are you any of you going to buy something?" Brokk said bluntly.
"Please forgive my brother, he a man of business with little time for pleasantries."
"Work comes first when you're low on cash, and believe me – we're steadily losing it!"
"So what are you?" Katara asked.
"We're dwarves." Sindri replied. "Our people are renowned for some other greatest creation by hands the universe has ever known."
"Really? Strange, I never heard of dwarves." Aang asked.
"Our folk don't get out much anyone. Some are probably dead but still." Brokk commented.
Dante looks around to while everyone is busy talking to see if he can find Mimir. He found him sitting under a tree in a wooden lawn chair. Mimir is still just a head but enjoying life.
"Dante!" Mimir exclaimed. "Glad to see if you out and about."
"Nice to see you active in your retirement, Mimir." Dante joked.
"Yeah. Speaking of which, do you mind bring me over to your friends?" Mimir asked.
"As long as you don't scare them. They had seen odd and scary shit but not a talking severed head." Dante added.
"Don't worry, I'll be friendly." Mimir reassured him.
Dante picks up Mimir and goes back to the group. He taps on Sokka shoulder and upon turning around Sokka yells briefly at the sight of a severed head. Aang and Katara where a shocked at the sight while Toph, who could see through her feet, saw Dante was hold a severed head and wondered who he kill in the space of a two minutes. But then the head and Dante began to laugh.
"Mimir this is Aang – the Avatar, Katara, her brother Sokka and Toph. This is Mimir." Atreus introduced.
"You're a . . . talking head?" Aang asked confused as ever.
"Well I'm probably the first, but maybe not be the last." Mimir said.
"But how are you just a head?" Aang asked
"Long story, not pretty."Mimir replied
Aang dropped the question for now. "Alright … what is your name?"
"Well little brother my name is Mimir. And I am the friendliest head you will ever meet. Oh, I'm sorry for scaring you, but Dante is quite the prankster."
"Really? I never noticed." Sokka commented.
"Well are you guys staying for lunch?" Atreus asked.
"We would love to, but first could you identify something for us?" Katara asked.
"Sure what is it?"Atreus asked.
The unconscious young warrior lay on the barter table and everyone gather around him; Atreus, Brokk and Sindri examined the body more closely.
"Eh, where did you say you dug up this guy again?" Brokk asked.
"He came to us on Roku's island. He was in this superpowered form with all muscles, flames and a skull helm." Sokka said.
All three of Atreus, Brokk and Sindri went wide upon hearing what Sokka said. "Shit! This guy is that bastard?" Brokk asked with disbelief.
"Do you guys know this 'bastard'?" Toph asked.
"Not his name but us, Atreus, Valen and Dante know his master. A horrible guy that one." Sindri said with a shudder.
"But who is this?" Aang asked.
"Well he looks … somewhat familiar but I can't be sure." Atreus commented.
Toph placed a hand the young warrior's leg, suing her Seismic Sense to defect the condition of the body... "He's healthy but he seems to have something wrong with his legs. Like something his bones are brittle and his muscles aren't strong enough to support himself. "
Brokk cocked a brow. "How is a blind girl able to tell is someone is a cripple or not?"
"I'm an Earthbender, I use it to see everything connect to the ground. But I can use it to see into people's bodies. I can see if a person is health or not." Toph stated as a matter of fact.
"Can you tell is some is lying?" Brokk asked.
"Yeah."
"Now I have seen everything . . ." Brokk muttered.
"I think that's really fascinating." Sindri praised causing Toph to smile, slightly. She doesn't get much compliments but it is nice to hear them once in a while.
"Might I have a look at him?" Mimir asked as he was currently sitting on a box facing a different direction. Atreus picked Mimir up by the rope wrapped about his head and brought him over to the body. Mimir studied the warrior with his glowing golden jewel eyes which they widened suddenly as he came to a shocking realization that will haunt him for a while from now.
"By Sol's flaming tresses. This … this is Ivar Lothbrok!" Mimir gasped.
The youngest members of Team Avatar did know that name but Atreus, Sindri, Brokk, Valen and Dante do, or in the since they only know who that is by name. They never meet him but they have heard of his deeds.
"Are you serious?" Dante asked with disbelief.
"I'm positive! This before us is Ivar the Boneless!" Mimir gasped. "One of the most brutal and scary warlords ever to live on two cripple legs. Armies in Midgard pissed their pants at the sight of him." Toph raised a brow; she never would have thought that she just groped an unconsciousness warlord, of all people.
"Midgard?" Aang asked being not familiar with the term.
"It's where we're from." Sindri explains.
Brokk scratched his beard. "I heard of him, but never meet him. But I sought to seek him out but he gotbeen killed in battle."
"Or so we thought." Valen said as he twirled his silver cane in thought.
"If this guy is supposed to be dead, then why is he alive?" Katara asked.
"It's a long story but perhaps we can explain with some food." Atreus suggested
"I'm sorry, but we don't have time for a long story, we have a long journey ahead of us. You can tell us this some other time." Sokka said abruptly.
"Or maybe some other future chapter?" Mimir muttered.
"What?" Sokka asked.
"What?" Mimir asked back.
"But do you want food?" Atreus asked.
"Yes!" Toph said earnestly.
Everyone when inside where Atreus poured everyone a bowl of the stew he was cooking and they all sat around the cooking pit eating they eating with the wooden spoons they were given.
"Where are you, folk rushing off to?" Brokk asked.
"What's it to 'ya?" Sokka asked back with suspicion.
"Well, since you asked so nicely, if you're heading to the Fire Nation, don't go without a plan." Brokk said.
"What makes you think we would be going there?" Sokka asked, trying to hide the truth.
"Well kid, for starters you're a horrible liar. And second, with the Avatar with you where can you go?"
"Okay, fine … do have a plan. We are planning to invade on the Day of Black Sun." Sokka said.
"Day of Black Sun?" Brokk repeated while scratching his chin.
"A solar eclipse?" Sindri asked.
"You know of it?" Katara asked.
"Oh yes." Sindri said with a happy inflection. "I study this every time it comes about. It's a long wait but it sure it worth it everything. That short amount of time to discover something new or to scrape what I previous learned when I found out that something didn't add up. It's a wonderful experience."
"Yeah … I try not to stare at it when I trying to get a tan." Brokk mutters before looking at Sokka and speak at regular volume. "But listen Sock-head. If you're smart, which I doubt, you come up with a backup plan just in case the whole thing goes south, which it will." he says.
"Well I like to optimistic about something from once." Sokka states honest.
"Well, shit. It that what you feel then I ought to see the brighter side in everything." Brokk says sarcastically.
"Really?" Sokka asked.
"No." Brokk admits.
Everyone finally finishes and bows in thanking Atreus for being a host. Everyone exited into the front yard. "So … what are we going to do about sleeping crazy out there?" Dante addressing the elephant in the room, outside.
"You can leave 'em here with us." Brokk suggested.
"Brokk!" Sindri protested. "I don't think that a good idea."
"Don't worry, I got this …" Brokk says and pull out a large thick anchor headed hammer. "On bad move and I'll knock the ever-living-shit out of him."
"You're going to hit him with a hammer?" Toph asked with doubt.
Brokk says something in dwarvish before replying. "A HAMMER?! Little girl this hammer is THE weapon used by fucking bastard thunder god! He uses this to kill a lot of damn people with a bolts of lightning! This is Mjolnir!"
Toph's pale green eyes widen. "Really? Let me see that." She snatches the Mjolnir moves away from the field from a moment. He fingers examine it is beautifully carved and heavy. It was made stone, metal and something else she can't quite identify. But the former was something she is familiar with. With a smirk she raised the hammer to the sky to call down lightning. Unsurprisingly, nothing happened. She tried it again, straining to do so, but failed.
"Looks like its busted." Toph grumps.
"It ain't busted, buster. It needs someone who has power, preferably one with lightning flow in their veins. " Brokk said. He then turns to Dante with a thought. "Dante! Why don't you give it a go?" Dante looked at everyone before he walks over to Top ha who gives him Mjolnir. He motion her stand back a little, which she does.
He focuses for a moment to gather his chi. Then the electrical spark slowly crackle from his arm to his clenched hand that held the hammer. The wind began to pick up, the sky darkens a little with the appearance of clouds. Everyone could feel there was some type of charge in the air, the type that tells when there is a storm coming.
Dante raised Mjolnir into the air causing a bright bolt of lightning to strike the hammer. Everyone either jumps or falls backwards in reaction to have a freaking lightning bolt strike in front of you. Dante held on to Mjolnir as it charged up and then thrust it up into a different direction, snarling as power flowed through him. Then he stopped and the thunder echoes in the distance. He exhales in exhaustion.
"This was better than coffee." Dante said. He rubble his right shoulder due to how taxing Lightningbending, of any kind, can be. Dante then looks at Toph who seem to be pouting at the fact she couldn't doing the first time. Then he gets an idea he places the Mjolnir on the ground and steps back. "Toph see if you can summon the hammer to you by the metal in it."
Toph was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try. She sensed where it was raised her hand to bend the metal within it to her. The hammer was still at the beginning, then is moved slightly, finally if flies to her! She grabs the hilt only to goes as she goes flying off into the bushes behind her. Everyone giggles at as she comes out of the bushes with leaves and twigs on her. She then throws Mjolnir straight at Brokk who catches it but doesn't go flying.
"Okay that was fun, but I would rather not go flying involuntarily when I fight." she states as a hard truth.
Brokk makes a note of what she said. "Gotcha, but don't worry. If Ivar wakes up and tries something, I'll let him have it." Brokk said.
"But what do you want us to do when he does wake up and doesn't try to do anything harmful?" Sindri asked.
"Bring him to us. I like to ask him a few questions." Dante said seriously.
"Will do." Sindri bows in acknowledgement.
With nothing else to do Team Avatar turns to leave. As they do, Atreus and Mimir look at each other with an, thought in mind. "Excuse me, a moment if you would?" Mimir calls after Team Avatar before they go down the trail. "The lad and I wish to ask something of you all."
"What is it?" Aang asked curiously.
"People think you are dead the world over, which could mean than you may be short on allies, right?" Mimir asked.
"You can say that. Why, do you wished to help us?" Katara asked.
Atreus pulled back his hood to reveal his full face to Team Avatar. His appearance was relatively young but a few inches taller than Zuko. He has red hair that is long this tied back in a high pony tail has a scarred face. He has light freckling and his eyes are an icy blue. Under his cloak He is dressed in leathers and hides of fur. Additionally, the sash around his waist is; red in color with golden patterns around it.
"We would like to help." Atreus asked.
"Okay, But … what can YOU bring to the team?" Sokka asked Mimir.
Mimir was cleared his throat. "Me? I'm the greatest ambassador to the gods, the Giants, and all the creatures of the Nine Realms. I have been to every world and realm, beyond the stars and the space between spaces, including this one a number of times. I know every corner of these lands, every language spoken, every war waged, every deal struck and every Avatar that his walked the earth. They call me … Mimir! –Smartest man alive, and I have the answer to your every question. "
"Smartest man alive, eh" Sokka rubbed his chin. "Okay I got a question for you: What number am I thinking of?"
Mimir sighs. "Why do some people I meet ask me that question FIRST?"
"It's a real question. What number am I thinking of?" Sokka asked again.
"Okay give me three guess. Um … three?" Mimir guessed.
"Nope." Sokka said.
"Two?"
"No."
"Oh wait I know … the Sun."
"What? That's not a number?"
"Then why were you thinking of it?"
Sokka sighs in defeat. "Okay, you're in?" Sokka then turned to Atreus. "Okay, Atreus what can you do?"
Atreus thought for a moment and handed Mimir to Valen as he when inside the cabin and came out with a bow and a quiver of arrows. He holds up a small bowl. "Dante, throw this in the air."
Dante takes it and with a good toss he flings it. Atreus pulls out several arrows in one hand and fires them one at a time in quick succession. The first arrows hit the bowl, knocking it to change the trajectory of its course the right where a tree stood. Then one arrow stopped it from moving to the right and two more to catch it as it landed softly. Team Avatar stared at the feat in awe before looking at Atreus who was scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Five seconds. I want to do that in three. But I'm improving." Atreus said.
"Maybe you can improve on the road with us. If that's what you want." Katara said.
Atreus smiles at her before looking at Mimir. "Mimir … Looks like we're on another whirlwind of an adventure."
"That's good to hear. I been meaning to stretch my legs." Mimir joked causing everyone to laugh.
Everyone goes to Appa who waits on the shore. Atreus eyes widened as he goes over to strange creature. Appa eyes him and groans. "Easy." Atreus said as he raised his hand to Appa who gives it a good sniff. Then Appa licks Atreus' hand. Atreus around held up Mimir to Appa, who for one was a bit nervous to being held up to a large creature, but Appa then sniffs him and was okay with him, and Mimir sighs with relief. "What I nice Sky-bison." Mimir said.
Everyone climbs aboard Appa's saddle while Brokk and Sindri wave goodbye. "You kids have fun in Fire Nation and tried not to get killed out there."
"We'll watch out for firebenders." Sokka reminded him.
"That ain't what I mean, smartass." Brokk retorted.
"It's not? What else can be in the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked.
"Well, there's -" Sindri began to explain until he was cut off by Brokk.
"Don't tell 'em. If you do then they don't want to go. Let the newbie's find out for themselves." Brokk urged.
"Oooookay" Sindri said. Sokka frowned at not being to things he wants to know.
With that Appa lifted off the ground and into the sky. Appa flew into the sky with Team Avatar and Atreus on his saddle. Atreus looked over the side to the ocean far below. Sitting on this flying bull creature was very pleasant as he feels the free air again.
"So, is this your first time flying?" Toph asked
"On a flying bufflo? Sure." Atreus said.
"Yeah I hate it too, but I'm steadily getting use to it." Toph said.
"I had to get use to a lot of things when I stepped out on a journey." Atreus said in retrospect of this from his earlier life back in Midgard.
In the capital of the Fire Nation Fire lord Ozai, Azula and Zuko were having lunch. Zuko missed having servants catering to his needs. For a time he did that himself and at some point for other people, so have other people do things for him was a little odd to say the least. Just then a message came in and bowed. "Sire, The scientist you have summoned here to see you."
Ozai looked up from his meal. "Really?"
"Yes, he waits for you in the drawing room." The servant said.
"Thank you. We shall see him immediately." Ozai commanded.
The servant bowed and walked away. Zuko turned to his father confused on what was said. "We?"
"Yes. It's time for you to know this. When you were away I heard of scientist who can create wonders of machines. He wishes to create new inventions for the Fire Nation's war effort in the years to come."
The servant returned with the scientist who wore dark hooded robes . He stepped forward and got on both knees to prostrate himself before the Fire Lord as he sat in a chair facing him.
Ozai raised a hand upward. "Rise."
The scientist's movements were smooth and soundless as he rose to his feet. He threw back his hood to review a young man, his hair was black, and long that combed back so it was going down his back. His voice was calm and mannerly as he spoke. "Your majesty, I am honored to be in your presence."
"The honor would be mine for I summon you here based on your inventions. You say what your created is for the Fire Nation?"
"Yes. I created weapons to help you end this war. They are not much but they will do their part." The scientist said.
"There is no need." Ozai stated. "My children are the ones that fell the city of Ba Sing Se. the war could be wrapped up soon."
Though the veil hides the scientist's face from everyone in front, expression was of pure surprise. "Can I be true, My Prince?" he asked Zuko.
Zuko was a bit hesitating in his confirmation, given previous circumstances. "Yes."
"If I may, how did you do it, My Princess?" the scientist asked Azula.
"We made it crumble from the inside. Through disguises and a coop we conquered city." Azula states proudly.
"I see …" The scientist nods in understanding. "Regardless, this war may be over but there many on the horizon in the ages to come; such is the way of … human nature. I simply wish to gives us an edge when the Fire Nation is at war again."
Ozai thought on this and considered what he heard was true. Ozai, Azula and Zuko stood and walked around to the scientist. "Very well. Mister …?"
"My name … is Vashuraverja. And everything I do from this point onward is for your glory, the Fire Nation's future and for the greater good." Vashuraverja leads them out of the room.
"Follow me, into the future."
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Finally finish. I know you guys are going to be commenting up a storm so hold nothing back, with reason of course. Any explanations that need explaining or error that correcting please let me know (as far as explanations go I will tell but no spoilers). Now that the Atreus, Mimir, Brokk, Sindri and freaking Ivar the Boneless have resurfaced what crazy adventures will the Team Avatar get into NOW? Find out as you drink coffee and use the bathroom afterwards.