Well… no one joined, no comments… QwQ, We have to go fast this time, eh? Don't worry, this chapter is a set up as next one is the start of the final battle of the fic! Yeah, we are getting close to the end and that means that the winner of the war is getting revealed too
Anyway, this chapter is short but kind of important, hopefully you enjoy it!
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Chapter 28: The One
Time was starting to run out for our heroes, preparing defenses, training in general with our without anyone who could help, but one that had the biggest challenge of course was Aang, as he had to deal with the powerful Shaina until his friends manage to go and help him, still, training was an essential part to finish the job, and the last sub art to learn was blood bending, not like he was already a master of lightning bending or metal bending, heck, Shaina was by far better than Azula on manipulating lightning and while he had nothing to learn anymore from Toph, it is not like he was at the same level at her
Both him and Katara went to the beach in order to practice, the two alone as the weren't unable to do on a long time, once there thanks to Appa, he sighed
-Well, I asked Ty Lee and her father to come later, so I can have more time to practice with you Katara- not an immediate answer coming from her -I know, it is still hard for you…
-No, I should have taught you since the beginning, I was so selfish and it had to took my brother disappearing and that devil Hama to come back to convince myself that I had to do this- and looked at her boyfriend -I'm such a disaster Aang, Shaina for sure was lying when she said that I was originally destined to become the avatar.
-I thought that you didn't care about that.
-I don't, not exactly of being or not being the avatar, but because I should be more considerate with the people, especially you.
-But you are, you were helping Toph with her new acquired sight by teaching her how to write and read, you even saved her life- Aang was smiling while saying that
Making him deserving of a little kiss on the lips -Thank you Aang, now is time to train- both went out of Appa and Katara started to explain -In order to learn how to blood bend you have to take in consideration something, if you're not careful enough you could end up injuring the person that you're manipulating.
-Ok, so I have to proceed carefully- Katara nodded -So, how do we start.
Noticing that it was difficult to explain that, the first time that Katara did blood bending was thanks to the full moon, still, she tried her best
-Well… ok I have it, remember that blood is mostly water, and our body a recipient, so you need to apply the same as water bending.
-Why I didn't think about that?
-Ok, let's try with myself- Aang just raised his shoulders and tried to do it, but to no avail -Ok this is odd, why I can't just do it?
Katara realized that it wouldn't be that easy -Calm down Aang, maybe it is because you're not used to manipulate water in such a way, consider this a test.
A bit frustrated but he understood -So I have to go some steps back, How did Hama taught you the blood bending?
Those were bad memories but she had to do it -Well, before explaining me that, she talked me about how water can be on any place, as humidity on the air, inside plants, even on the mud, and she showed me how she manipulated the water on those situations.
-She must have had a lot of free time to learn how to do it- both looked at the sky, it was clear blue -Agni is known for being really hot, and being close to the shore…
-Yes, we can start practicing here.
Both had a long time trying to do it, for Katara of course that would be immediate as she was such an expert water bender by now, but Aang while a natural on learning, he was not as used to water bend as his girlfriend, so he would take some time to start noticing the humidity on the air and manipulating it.
-Just some little drips of water…
-It is odd, when I started to teach you water bending you were even doing it better than me.
Aang sighed -Because I was practicing the other sub arts and I'm not used to water bend as you -The avatar continued manipulating the water, and while little water spheres were appearing, it was still slow -Can I watch you doing that?
Katara nodded and concentrated, moving her arms and hands in circles while paying attention in front of her, a water ball as big as a ball appeared, then she took it with one hand
-Try by moving your arms, slowly, imagine the sphere of water forming.
A little easier to say than to be done, Aang struggled some seconds, then minutes to start looking how the vapor, the humidity of the shore was starting to form the sphere
-Hey look, I'm doing it.
-Great…- but the sphere undid itself -What happened?
-I… I don't know, I'm paying a lot of attention and just this.
-Hey Aang tell me, how was your training with the other sub arts?
He sighed -Each one was more difficult than the other, with the lightning it was after out fight on river's town and you even had to help me in order to shot my first proper lightning.
-I remember that, but now you're able to do it on your own.
-Yes, metal bending was difficult but it turned worse after my second defeat against Shaina, and even Zuko was injured there, if it wasn't for you, Toph and the soldiers well…
-So you're worried because of Shaina- That was something hard to admit, both looked at the horizon -An avatar from the future, by far the most powerful enemy that we have ever faced.
-I don't want to disappoint anyone on the final battle, not after she was one step ahead of us every single time- and he asked to himself -How it is possible that an avatar turned evil? It doesn't make sense.
Katara then had an idea -Hey, if it helps on something, what about asking to Roku? Maybe he has an idea.
-Right, so, doesn't matter to stop our training? - Katara denied it and first him, then the water master took some steps out of the shore, the monk then took seat on the sand -Please Roku help me.
Katara was unable to watch him, but Aang was able, Roku appeared almost immediately
-Young Aang, it is something wrong?
-It is, by this time I was able to somehow dominate 2 of the 3 sub arts but after such a long time, and every time I'm trying to practice, the evil avatar does one of her tricks, I can't stand it anymore.
-It is similar to what happened with Ozai, you were able to find your own answer, one that could help both you and the world.
-But my own belief blurred my vision, Azula was alright, cutting out his powers was worse than killing him, and If I just did that, maybe the evil avatar wouldn't be able to do so much damage!
-What is on the past cannot be undone, even with what Shaina is doing, her actions are not proper from an avatar.
-I know that but… it is still so difficult for me, I just can't do it, I can't kill anyone!
Roku was looking at him -Or it is that you're afraid of her? - an absolute surprise for Aang -It is ok to feel fear sometimes, not only of our decisions or other people, but of the situations.
-Well, it is easier to say than to be done, I don't think that I'm going to be able to proper blood bend, heck, not only me, but Azula and Zuko are unable to manipulate lightning at the same level as Shaina, what can I do?!
-Overcome the fear…- that was unsatisfactory for Aang -I know, I don't understand it very well, who could have thought that after finishing the 100 years war another one could come so rapidly?
-Even with my friends here, and I'm losing them due to this freaking war- and he looked at Katara -She showed some doubts about if she was really the destined one to become the avatar of this epoch, but I'm the one who is afraid of not doing the job.
-Your beloved one…- Roku smiled -Well, I'm not sure if I can answer that question, not like it has to be needed to be answered, speaking if another person could have made a better job than you, but maybe I know who can help you to overcome your fears…
A blue light started to appear on Aang's body and then it went out of him, surprising Katara on the process
-What's going on…- and even the sky was turning darker -Aang!
The light appeared in front of them and the avatar recovered his consciousness -Katara? - and looked at the sphere -What's is happening here?
From the light sphere, a figure was forming itself, then a voice, a really joyful one -Hey, I didn't expect that I had to appear once more, guess that my job will never end after all…
-Who are you? - Aang asked
A man who dressed in the fire nation colors, but clearer ones and not so sophisticated, having a large black hair and beard, with a calmed face appeared, his aura was transmitting pure peace, then he smiled
-I'm Wan.
Just after hearing that name, Aang recognized him -You're the first avatar!
-What, the first one?!- Katara was astonished -How that I'm able to watch you?
-Because of the spirit world deciding to break some rules, taking advantage of the veil between the two worlds being weakened, not so much of course, but thanks to Shaina's being on this time.
-It is like Iroh and my brother, Roku wanted me to know you.
-And I know why- Wan explained -I can feel it inside you, your doubts growing Aang, still, you're doing your best even on this situation.
-I'm not that sure about that, every time I tried to fight her back I finish off on the ground, damn, even while helping Zuko she was almost able to kill us.
Wan put a hand on his chin –And did you think on why she is doing all of this? Every reaction needs an action to start it, and for Shaina, it has to be the same.
Aang was thinking about it –What… what are you talking about?
-Well, think about this, Shaina came from the future as this huge menace frome the world, this monstrosity that cannot be stopped, but, why is she doing this? It is like you, why are you a pacifist, someone that decided to fight for what is good?
Thinking about it was pretty easy for him –The monks taught me about the pacific ways, everything I know coming from the airbending culture.
-Great, and during your life, despite difficulties, you continue maintaining those beliefs- Aang nodded –But, what happens with Shaina, what moves her actions, what drives her to do what she is doing?
That was something that Aang didn't consider at all, he knew that she was powerful but, why and how, the monk asked
-Why are you doing those questions Wan?
-Because I can't feel evil on Shaina, at all.
With hims saying that with a little smile, confused the couple a lot, why would Wan say that? The avatar coming from the future clearly made actions that could be labeled as evil but, what if it's not?
-What, not evil at all? You sure?- Wan nodded –Then why, why would she do all that she is doing?
That made both Aang and Katara to think about the situation, someone like Wan wouldn't lie about not feeling any evil on Shaina, but her actions said otherwise… until something made a click on the avatar
-That vision, Iroh adviced us about what she was doing, no innocent people was hurt.
-But our friends! What about all the people that she killed?!- Katara was anxious after hearing that
-Once she said that she had to correct something, it was about me, about us, not about anything else, that's what we need to ask her…-
-Aang, please, don't tell me that you are planning to forgive her…
-Before I beat her, we need to send her back to her own timeline, somehow- the avatar concluded –But if she doesn't want to answer, I don't think that I will be capable of defeating her on my own.
Katara then showed a more relaxed but serious face –Don't forget the plan my dear, we are doing this together, just contain her as much as possible and then we will win this.
Wan nodded –You have the strength that she doesn't have, remember that my colleague- then the first one looked behind the couple, more people were coming –Look at them.
There they were, Azula, Ty lee, Jin, Toph and Zuko, who took the word –What is happening here? - everyone was paying attention to the spirit that was in front of Aang and Katara
-Oh, guys, he is Wan, the very first avatar- all of his 5 friends opened jaws, the first avatar just raised a hand –Why are you here?
-Well, we witnessed the giant blue light at the distance, so it's natural that we get worried Twinkle Toes- Toph added
-Sorry for worrying you- Wan said, then he sighed –Well Aang, I can't stay for much longer, just remember, do what is right for you, but don't judge others so easily, you have the strength to overcome this, something that she has maybe lost.
The avatar nodded –Right, thank you Wan.
The first one disappeared as he appeared, shinning on a blue ball of light and then returning to Aang's body, who after that and with the environment returning to normal, sighed
-How much time we have before the black sun?
Azula answered –Like 2 more weeks.
-Only 2 more weeks- and he nodded –We can do this my friends, I'm confident that we will rescue Sokka, that we will set the nations free once more, that we are going to cure all those people, and to return Shaina to her own time line.
But then Ty Lee asked –Wait but, while we are not that sure about Shaina, Ozai is still out there and he is pure evil, what is going to happen to him?
Aang looked at Zuko, then at Azula –You wanted to face him due to all that he made on the past to you, I already made him pay for the war but, whatever happens to Ozai, it is your decision Azula, and I'm not going to interrupt it.
As the princess looked at her brother, he just closed his eyes for some seconds before opening them
-He maybe was the person that gave us life and raised us, but it was because of his own selfish purposes, this is nothing that I want to do exactly, but if there is no other choice… I will kill him- just to be sure, Azula launched a little fire barrage at one side, still active –And apparently the fire masters agree that it can be necessary.
-Well, what are we waiting for? 2 weeks can pass on the blink of an eye, we need to go back to train- as Jin said, everyone agreed
…..
But on Ba Sing Se, and looking from inside the palace to the outside, Shaina, Ozai and Milly were looking at the city, a humongous army, soldiers with dark and blue armors were getting ready for an incoming fight, Shaina like a commander was ready to speak
-Since the very beginning of the time, it was supposed that the human was ready to take the responsibility of his and her own lives, but then someone else decided differently, this is not a war to create a massacre or to conquer territories, it is to install a new order to the world, one in which all of you will decide for yourselves.
-Save lord Shaina!
Lord Shaina was not a title that she wanted, so she denied it –No, I'm not a lord or a queen or anything, I'm a friend, and as a friend I want to help you, to set your chains free, to not depend of anyone, this is the last fight before your absolute freedom, and you will win.
-For our friend, for Shaina!
That was better, a lot better, it made her smile, she didn't have their loyalty, that was for authorities, what she had was their confidence, sure, some brainwashing out there but still, once her mission would be done on this timeline, The world without authorities, the avatar of this timeline and his friends all killed, and her destiny changed, if she would be reborn on this very timeline, she wouldn't be the avatar as it would cease to exist.
But then a question coming from Ozai –Are you sure that this is the best for the world?
Milly answered for the avatar, a little curious because of that question –Why would you ask that right now, just in front of the biggest army of all the world and just one step of the absolute victory?
-A world without authorities could end up on anarchy, that's why- he said
But then Shaina looked at him –There's only one way to truly find out, or we win and the world ends on anarchy, or we win and people would create a better world by themselves, is gonna be their own actions that would decide the result.
The final battle was just days away, a clash of ideals, styles, minds, and of course, wills, would determine the fate of the world on the very same place that years ago was the capital of the nation that was decided to dominate the world, roles have changed, now Agni was the last hope and barrier between what was before, and what could be on the future