Zuko's ship sailed through the water as the search for the Avatar and Celestial Mage continued. Inside his quarters, Zuko was meditating. Four candles were burning in front of him. As he inhaled and exhaled, the flames increased and decreased. As he was meditating, the door opened and Iroh stepped in.
"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar or the Celestial Mage." Zuko said. His eyes were still closed when Iroh entered.
"Well, there is news Prince Zuko, but you might not like it." Iroh warned him.
"Uncle, you taught me that having a level head is a sign of a good leader. Whatever it is you have to say, I can take it." Zuko assured him.
"Okay, we have no idea where he is." Iroh explained.
"What?!" Zuko shouted as the four candles burst to the ceiling as he then stood up. Iroh turns away from the flames and protects himself. Aiko then entered the room with a fan in one hand and a map in the other.
"You should really open a window in here, Cousin." Aiko told him, fanning herself.
"Indeed." Iroh nodded.
"Let me see the map, Aiko." Zuko exclaimed. Aiko gave him the map to look at as she fanned Iroh this time.
"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar and the Celestial Mage, but they are impossible to track down." Aiko explained.
"How are we supposed to track them down?" Zuko asked as he observed all the directions his targets took on the map.
"They are clearly masters of evasive maneuvering." He added.
Appa was flying through the sky with ShineGreymon and Omnimon not far behind and Katara was sewing a garment while Sokka sat back looking at a map. Meanwhile Natsu was on the saddle feeling nauseous as Happy and Carla watch over him. Towards the back of the saddle Ray was meditating. Lucy, Erza and Gray looked at the map with Sokka. Gray then sighed.
"You have no idea where you're going, do you?" Gray asked Aang.
"Well, I know it's near water." Aang replied as they flew over a vast ocean.
"I guess we're getting close then." Sokka said sarcastically.
"You know, it wouldn't kill you not to be a smart-mouth all the time." Lucy commented.
"Aye, Lucy didn't tell us how mean you are." Happy said.
"Shut it, cat!" Sokka shouted.
"See what I mean?" Happy pointed out.
As they keep flying Aang turned to look at Katara, who was preoccupied with sewing her brother's pants.
"Momo, marbles please." Aang requested. Momo crawled into his shirt and pulled out a bag of marbles.
"Katara, check this out!" Aang said as he suspended the marble between his hands with a big smile on his face.
"That's great." Katara said, not even paying attention to him.
"But you didn't even look." Aang said, stopping his trick. Katara then stopped sewing to look at him.
"That's great!" Katara exclaimed.
"But I'm not doing it now." Aang replied.
"If it makes you feel better, I liked that trick." Lucy told him.
"Thanks, Lucy." Aang said.
"Stop bugging Katara, airhead. You need to give girls their space when they do their sewing." Sokka said. Katara stopped sewing as she, Lucy and Carla looked at him with annoyed expressions on their faces.
Ray stopped meditating for a moment and stared at him.
"Idiot." He muttered before unsheathing both of his swords.
"What does Katara being a girl have to do with sewing?" Carla asked.
"Simple, girls are better at sewing and fixing stuff then guys and guys are better at fighting and hunting. It's the natural order of things." Sokka explained.
"That is the DUMBEST thing I've ever heard!" Gray shouted.
"For your information, Erza's a girl and she's the strongest female wizard in Fairy Tail!" Lucy hollered.
"Aye!" Happy nodded.
"Yeah and I'm a Dragon Slayer, so I should be strong as well." Wendy reminded him.
"Yeah, and Lucy's part of a prophecy so she ought to be strong too." Natsu added, still laying on the saddle feeling sick.
"Girls from a different world don't count. Only girls from this one do." Sokka said.
"SAYS WHO?!" Erza demanded with a angry glare as tick marks formed on her head, which scared Sokka as he was now shaking from fear.
"Uh...well." Sokka tried to think of a good excuse, but couldn't come up with anything.
"If you really ARE stronger than me, would it be impossible for me to throw you off Appa and you to land in the water?" Erza asked.
"Why don't we try that? I'm sure he'll try to stop us 'weak girls'." Lucy suggested with a evil smirk on her face.
"Yeah. We can show how us 'girls' can't do a thing like that." Wendy added.
"Now hold on a minute! I was just kidding!" Sokka protested.
"Really?" Lucy asked.
"But guys in this world are still stronger." Sokka replied.
"Hey Sokka! I'm all done with your pants! Look what a great job I did!" Katara said sarcastically as she threw Sokka's pants in his face.
"Wait! I was just kidding! I can't wear these!" Sokka exclaimed as he put his arm through the hole in his pants. He turned to the Firebender sitting in the back.
"You're on your own." Ray muttered. No way was he backing Sokka up after those comments.
"Don't worry Sokka, where we're going you won't need any pants." Aang said as he steered the bison.
"I'm sure Gray is ahead of you on this one." Lucy stated.
"Hey!" Gray hollered.
"Lucy said you like being in your boxers and you like taking your clothes off." Aang commented.
"It's a habit." Gray shrugged.
The group then landed on a crescent shaped island. Appa, ShineGreymon and Omnimon descend on the beach and everyone jumped off while Erza helped Natsu down.
"Are we gonna keep flying like this during this journey?" Natsu asked.
"Yes. Get used to it." Lucy answered.
"Aye, Natsu. You ought to get used to your motion sickness by now." Happy added.
"That's gonna take a while." Natsu admitted.
"Aang, we just made a pit stop yesterday. Shouldn't we get a little more flying done before we camp out?" Sokka asked.
"For once, I agree with Sokka. At this rate, we won't be able to get to the North Pole until Spring." Lucy answered.
"What do you mean you agree with me FOR ONCE?!" Sokka demanded.
"I don't always have to agree with what you say." Lucy pointed out.
"She's got ya there Sokka. And Appa's tired already, aren't you boy?" Aang asked, receiving no response from Appa.
"I said, aren't you boy?" Aang asked again, this time nudging Appa with his elbow.
"Yeah. That was REAL convincing." Gray said sarcastically.
"Still, hard to argue with a ten ton magical monster." Sokka added.
"Whatever." Gray muttered. Aang then spotted something and became excited.
"LOOK!" Aang shouted, pointing at a giant koi fish jumping out of the water.
"That's why we're here." Aang said as he stripped off his clothes and was now in his underwear.
"Something tells me he's going to be the new Gray." Natsu said.
"He's not like me." Gray countered. His clothes were now off and he was only in his boxers.
"Oh really? Then where are your clothes?" Katara asked.
"OOPS! Thanks for noticing!" Gray hollered.
"So why did we come here?" Erza asked Aang.
"That elephant koi, I'm going to ride it. Katara, you gotta watch me." Aang said as he ran to the ocean and jumped in, only to jump out a few minutes later.
"COLD!" He shouted before diving back in. This made the rest of the group look at each other as Sokka and Gray twirl their fingers next to their heads while Lucy and Erza shake their heads.
Aang then swam out to the bay and dived underwater, managing to catch one. The giant fish then jumped out of the water while Aang starts riding on it holding onto it's dorsal fin. The elephant koi then dived back into the water taking him with it. Katara smiled as she watched him. Lucy, Natsu, Erza, Gray, Wendy, Happy, Carla, Sokka, Ray and Momo were watching as well. The koi fish surfaced with Aang still on his back laughing. He then waves to Katara, who waves back excited.
"Whoo!" Katara cheered as she waved back.
"Yeeeeaaaah! WOOOOOO!" Aang cheered laughing as he kept riding the koi fish.
Two more koi fish follow the koi fish Aang was still riding as they all leap out of the water and then dive underwater. Everyone was still watching this and Momo jumped up and down while Happy also jumped up and down cheering.
"He's pretty good out there." Natsu said.
"Are you kidding? The fish is doing all the work." Sokka remarked.
"I don't see you riding on the koi fish, Mister-Guys-Are-Better-Than-Girls." Lucy stated, earning a glare from Sokka while Katara giggles after hearing her comment. Then she turned to see Appa.
"No Appa, don't eat that!" Katara cried, running over to Appa. ShineGreymon followed her to stop Appa.
Aang had a huge smile on his face when he looked toward the shore, but then noticed Katara leaving and frowned.
"Aw, man." He said sadly.
The three elephant koi were swimming on the surface of the water and to the right. Then a shadow appeared underneath them.
Ray, who was shielding his eyes from the sun noticed the shadow.
"Hey, are you guys seeing this?" He asked the others, pointing at the shadow. "What is that?"
"There's something in the water!" Lucy shouted.
The two koi fish try to leap out of the water, but they were pulled under. As Aang still rode his koi fish, something appeared behind him causing the others to become distressed.
"Oh no! It's gonna get Aang!" Carla exclaimed.
"Aye! Aang, watch out!" Happy called out.
"What's wrong?" Katara asked as she and ShineGreymon came back.
"Aang's in trouble! AANG!" Lucy called out.
"GET OUT OF THERE, MAN!" Natsu called.
"COME BACK HERE, AANG!" Erza called.
"AANG!" Katara and Sokka called at the same time.
"GET OUTTA THERE!" Gray called.
"AANG, PLEASE GET BACK HERE! HURRY!" Wendy called.
"Crap." Ray cursed. "He can't hear what you guys are saying."
"Let's see if this gets his attention." Omnimon held a cannon up and fired a burst of energy from it. It struck the water causing Aang to turn and see what's following him, then panics and screams before running back to the shore at high speed, slamming into Natsu and knocking him down. Everyone then sees the giant fin submerge. They run over to Aang and Natsu as he put his clothes back on while Natsu brushed himself off.
"What was that thing?" Katara asked.
"I don't know." Aang replied.
"Sure was big." Natsu pointed out.
"Aye." Happy nodded.
"We'd best not stay and find out. We must continue our quest." Erza ordered. The others nod.
"Not so fast, it seems we've got company." Ray quickly drew his swords and stood ready for a fight.
Before they could leave, several warriors clad in green armor surround them. The first warrior grabs Sokka and Gray from behind. The second pulled Katara's hood over her eyes then pinned Wendy to the ground. Aang's shirt was grabbed by the third warrior who then proceeded to punch Natsu in the gut. The fourth trapped Momo, Happy and Carla in three small sacks. The fifth warrior then pinned Erza to the ground. Finally the sixth warrior kicked Lucy to the ground. Ray threw a punch at one of the warriors, but it missed. Everyone was then roughly thrown down, bound and blindfolded.
They were dragged back to a village still blindfolded and tied to a long pole. Momo, Happy and Carla were still trapped in their sacks that were by Aang's feet.
"You nine have some explaining to do." A old man said.
"And if you don't answer all our questions, we're throwing you back in the water with the unagi." A female voice warned them.
"Show yourselves, cowards!" Sokka challenged.
"We're blindfolded, you idiot." Lucy replied.
"Hiding cowards?" Natsu asked.
The gang's blindfolds were removed, and they see a group of women wearing green armor and red and white face paint. They had fans attached to their armor and were at the man's side.
"That's new." Gray said.
"Who are you and where are the men that ambushed us?" Sokka asked.
"There are no men. WE ambushed you. Now tell us who you are and what you're doing here." The female warrior replied.
"Wait...there's NO way a bunch of girls ambushed us!" Sokka said, laughing.
"Dude, shut up! You're only making things worse!" Ray shouted as the first female grabbed Sokka's shirt.
"A bunch of girls, huh? The unagi's gonna eat well tonight." The first female said.
"No! Don't hurt him! He didn't mean that! My brother's just an idiot sometimes." Katara said, defending her brother.
"More like ALL the time." Gray commented.
"It's my fault. I'm sorry we came here. I just wanted to ride the elephant koi." Aang spoke up.
"How do we know you're not Fire Nation spies? Kyoshi stayed out of the war so far and we intend to keep it that way!" The old man asked accusingly.
"This island is named after Kyoshi? I know Kyoshi!" Aang stated, but the man scoffs.
"How can you possibly know her? Avatar Kyoshi was born here over four hundred years ago. She's been dead for centuries." The old man said.
Everyone then notices the pole they were tied against is actually the base of Avatar Kyoshi's statue and she's dressed identically like the female warriors having the same face paint on.
"Aang knows her because he's the Avatar." Lucy explained, shocking the villagers, warriors and old man.
"Impossible! The last Avatar was a Airbender who disappeared a hundred years ago!" Someone in the crowd said. It was a girl with red hair and blue eyes, wearing a midriff shirt.
"That's me." Aang replied.
"Yep and Lucy's the Celestial Mage." Natsu added, causing Lucy to glare at him.
"What? I thought that would be worth sharing." He said.
"The Celestial Mage from the prophecy? We don't believe in that anymore! We hoped she would come here to stop the war, but she never came." The first female said.
"But Lucy's the Celestial Mage from that prophecy and she's here right now." Wendy declared.
"Suki, throw the impostors to the Unagi!" The old man ordered. Suki and the other warriors open their fans and slowly approached the group. Loud footsteps broke their concentration as a pair of eyes stared down at them.
"I'm sorry. What was that about throwing them to the unagi?" ShineGreymon questioned, standing behind the statue.
"Hey Aang, you know what to do." Ray turned to the Airbender after effortlessly burning his restraints.
Aang then broke free of his bonds then shot himself up in the air and jumped over Avatar Kyoshi's statue before gently descending down to the ground. Everyone watched in amazement. Suki and the other warriors watch this, awestruck as well as the man.
"It is true. You ARE the Avatar!" The old man said, shocked.
"And I can prove to you guys that I'm the prophesied Celestial Mage, but I would have to be released first." Lucy stated.
"I'll handle that." Ray told Suki, before walking over to the rope binding Lucy to the pole and burning it. She then stood in front of everyone.
'Here goes.' Lucy said in her mind as she held one of her Gate Keys.
"Open Gate of the Lion, Loke!" Lucy called out. Loke appeared in front of her shocking and amazing the villagers, along with Suki and the warriors. The old man was also shocked along with Katara and Sokka as they had never seen her do this before.
"No way...did she just." Sokka said, before trailing off.
"That's the type of magic she uses." Erza explained.
"It's just like what Zuko's uncle told us." Katara said.
"It is true...you really are the prophesied Celestial Mage!" The man hollered.
"Hey, babe. Glad to see you're still alive. How can I help you?" Loke asked.
"Help me free the others." Lucy answered.
"Yes ma'am." Loke nodded as the two walk over and untie everyone else.
"Thank you, Loke. You may return to the spirit world now." Lucy said. Loke nods.
"See ya later, babe." He vanished.
"Convinced now?" Ray asked and everyone nods.
"Great. Now, check this out." Aang said as he brought out his marbles and rotated them using his airbending. Gray face palms at this, but the villagers cheer and jump for joy. One villager screams like a girl and gets too excited then starts foaming from the mouth.
Later on, a small girl came up to a fisherman who was lifting his catch.
"Did you hear? The Avatar and Celestial Mage are on Kyoshi Island." The fisherman was shocked to hear this and nearly dropped his catch. He then passed this information onto another fisherman as he gave him his fish. The second fisherman then told someone from the Fire Nation colony while selling him a fish and that man told the news to a certain prince while serving the fish.
"The Avatar and Celestial Mage are on Kyoshi Island! Uncle, ready the rhinos. They're not getting away from me this time." Zuko said as he walked away.
"Are you going to finish that?" Iroh asked pointing at the uneaten fish.
"I was just saving it for later!" Zuko retorted as he takes the fish and leaves. Iroh then crosses his arms and pouts like a four-year old.
"I look forward to meeting this Avatar and Celestial Mage. This could be interesting." Aiko admitted.
Back on Kyoshi Island, two villagers were tending to Kyoshi's statue while another repainted it. Nearby another was grooming Appa. Inside of the homes, the gang was being served numerous plates of delicious food.
"Alright! Dessert for breakfast." Natsu cheered as he and Happy started eating like they haven't had a meal in ten years.
"Man, these people sure know how to treat you two!" He added with food stuffed in his mouth.
"Aye!" Happy said as he stuffed his mouth as well. Erza shook her head.
"Stop talking with your mouths full! It's disgusting!" She yelled.
"C'mon! This stuff's free, so we can't help it!" Natsu said, still eating.
"Aye!" Happy cheered, still eating.
"Idiots." Gray said, chewing on a pastry.
Everyone was eating their breakfast while watching the statue being cared for.
"This is great!" Wendy hollered.
"Yeah. Hey Luce, you gotta try this!" Natsu said, handing her a pastry.
"Well, I guess just one bite." Lucy said as she was about to take it, but then Momo snatched it from her.
"Hey! That was for her, Momo!" Natsu yelled at the lemur.
"Calm down. He can't help it." Katara said.
"Hey Sokka, what's your problem. Eat!" Aang said, looking over at Sokka who was sulking in the corner.
"I'm not hungry." Sokka lied.
"But you're always hungry!" Aang argued.
"Still bitter about having your butt handed to you yesterday, huh?" Ray asked.
"They sneaked up on me!" Sokka argued.
"Right and THEN they kicked your butt." Lucy said, smugly.
"They are quite skilled, I'll admit. I am not ashamed of losing to them." Erza stated.
"Sneak attacks don't count! Tie me up with ropes! I'll show em a thing or two! I'm not scared of any girls!" Sokka grumbled.
"Not scared of any girls, you say? Then try to attack me." Erza challenged.
"Okay, but I'm not holding back." Sokka charged Erza who punched him in the head and gut before kicking him in the face, knocking him out and making most of them burst out laughing.
"You...got...lucky." He said weakly.
"Luck has nothing to do with it, moron. As I've already told you, Erza is the strongest female wizard in our guild." Lucy said as she got up.
"Well, I'll see you guys later." Lucy said as she prepared to leave.
"Where are you going?" Aang asked.
"I'm gonna meet those warriors and ask them if they can teach me how to fight. I should at least try learning hand to hand combat sometime." Lucy explained.
"In that case, I'll go with you. I'm interested in their fighting style." Erza said as she walked over to Lucy.
"You two have fun." Katara said.
"We will. Bye." Lucy replied as she and Erza left the house.
"Learning how to fight from other girls. That's ridiculous." Sokka said. Gray then proceeded to punch him.
"Ow!" He cried out.
"Shut your mouth for once." Gray told him.
"I'm going with them to prove to them that I'm not scared of girls." Sokka declared before taking a pastry and leaving.
"I don't know what he's mad about. This place is great!" Aang said.
"I know. They're giving us the royal treatment!" Natsu added.
"Aye!" Happy cheered.
"Hey you three, don't get too comfortable." Katara warned them.
"Agreed." Ray nodded in understanding. "We can't stay here for that long."
"Why's that? No one off this island knows we're here. Not even that Zuko guy you told us about." Natsu pointed out.
"He has a point. We'll be fine. Besides, look how happy I'm making this place." Aang said, pointing to the two villagers still cleaning the statue of Avatar Kyoshi.
"They're even cleaning up the statue in my honor." He added.
"Aang, it's great that these people here love you and I know how excited you are being the Avatar,
"Aang, it's great that these people here love you and I know how excited you are being the Avatar, but can you try not to let this thing go to your head?" Carla asked.
"C'mon. That won't be a problem. I'm just a simple monk." Aang said as he looked out the window.
"A very excited one if you ask me." Gray replied.
"Nothing will go to my head." Aang informed them.
"I hope not." Katara said.
"Same here." Wendy added.
"He's gonna let this go to his head. I've known Aang longer than you guys have." Ray stated.
Aang then walked over to the window and looked down in shock and confusion. A group of fan girls screaming and cheering. He smiles at this and blushes while Katara crosses her arms and stuck her tongue out. Natsu and Happy look at each other knowing that the fan girls will follow Aang all day. Gray shakes his head in exasperation. Wendy sighed while Carla shook her head as well.
On a large red bridge over a small stream Aang ran back and forth across the bridge with the fan girls right behind him. After running back and forth he stopped in the middle of the bridge then jumped into the air. The girls looked up and saw Aang using a air sphere to float above them. The air sphere then dissipated and he fell into the arms of the girls.
After that, Aang was standing with a little girl in front of a painter waiting for him to paint a picture of him. After getting a good look at them he started painting, but when he looked again he saw a second girl had joined them. He began painting the three of them when two more girls showed up. He tried to paint them but the Avatar was soon surrounded by girls. The painter became irritated before he left and then the girls fell on top of Aang.
Aang was now doing push ups in front of the girls with Momo and Happy sitting on his back. He then did one handed push ups and then no hands whatsoever while also using his breath. Katara, Natsu, Gray, Wendy and Carla walk by looking unimpressed. They were carrying baskets.
Meanwhile Lucy and Erza make their way to a small building surrounded by evergreen trees. Sokka was following them, continuing to mumble about girls but Erza glared at him to make him shut up. When they reach the door the three look inside and watch Suki and the other female warriors training with their fans. The red haired girl from earlier watched this and Sokka grins, but Erza glared at him again causing him to back off out of fear. Lucy opened the door and entered the building as Suki and the other warriors watch her come in.
"Hello. I'm sorry to interrupt your training. I was wondering if this was the place to train." Lucy said.
"Well, you're in the right place." Suki said. Lucy looked around the entire dojo as Erza entered.
"Listen, I'm sorry we attacked you guys yesterday. We didn't know you were the prophesied Celestial Mage and that you were traveling with the Avatar." Suki said.
"It's fine. People do need to be aware around other people they haven't met yet. I know you were just trying to protect this place." Lucy replied.
"So what can I do for you two?" Suki asked.
"Well I was wondering if you could teach me how you fight around here. You know, like hand to hand combat?" Lucy questioned.
"Oh, I see and what about you?" Suki asked Erza.
"I was interested in your fighting style so I thought I'd come here and learn about how you handle yourselves in a fight." Erza answered.
"I see. Listen, Cel..." Suki was cut off.
"Please just call me Lucy." Lucy said.
"Lucy, normally we don't teach outsiders." Suki explained.
"Oh. Okay. I understand." Lucy said.
"But since you're the Celestial Mage, I suppose an exception can be made. Right, girls?" Suki asked the other warriors who nod in agreement.
"Great. Thank you so much, Suki." Lucy said.
"Hold up, Suki. Wouldn't it be alright if I teach her hand to hand combat techniques?" The red haired girl asked.
"Are you sure you want to, Skyla? I can..." Suki was cut off by Skyla.
"Don't worry about that. I learned hand to hand combat as well." Skyla said.
"Didn't Tanaka teach you?" Suki asked.
"Yes she has and I can teach Lucy everything I know." Skyla answered.
"What do you think, Lucy?" Suki asked. Lucy thought about it for a moment.
"Well, actually I wouldn't mind learning hand to hand combat moves from her." Lucy said.
"Okay then." Suki said.
"Great! Meet me outside in the back of the house and we'll get started." Skyla said as she exited the house.
"Sorry, Suki." Lucy apologized.
"Don't worry about that. Skyla learned hand to hand combat styles as well and I think she would be more than happy to teach you her techniques." Suki explained.
"You gonna stay here, Erza?" Lucy asked her.
"Yes. I'd still like to see how these warriors fight around here." Erza answered.
"Okay. I'll see you later." Lucy told her as she walked outside.
"So tell me. How do..." Erza was cut off by Sokka entering the room.
"Hello, ladies. Sorry to interrupt your dancing lesson." Sokka said, arrogantly.
"Get out of here!" Erza yelled, clenching her teeth.
"Hold on. I just wanna see if this is the place to workout." Sokka said.
"It is. Can we help you?" Suki asked.
"Well, normally I was gonna hold a grudge against you about yesterday, but seeing as you guys are a bunch of girls I'll make an exception." Sokka said.
"I'm sorry for my friend's stupidity and arrogant behavior." Erza apologized.
"That's okay. I should watch out for him. I mean a big, strong man like him? We probably wouldn't stand a chance." Suki replied.
"That's true, but don't feel bad. I'm just the best warrior in my village." Sokka boasted.
"You're the only warrior in your village, so obviously you would be the best one." Ray stated sarcastically.
"Wow. The best warrior in your WHOLE village? Give us a demonstration." Suki requested.
"Oh...well...I...uh." Sokka trailed off.
"Go ahead, Sokka. Show them how YOU'RE better than THEM." Erza insisted.
"What do you girls say? Would you like to see his moves?" Suki asked the Kyoshi Warriors, who giggle and nod.
"Okay, I will. Just stand right there and I'll strike, but TRY to block." He threw a punch at Suki, who blocked it with her fan and jabbed his shoulder making Erza smirk.
"Of course, I was going easy on you." Sokka said as he flexed his arm.
"OF COURSE you were." Suki said sarcastically, with a smirk.
"Let's see if you can handle this!" Sokka said as he tried to kick Suki. She quickly dodged his attack and knocked him into the air. Suki then opened her fan and used it to fan herself as Sokka landed on his butt.
"That does it!" Sokka shouted as he tried to punch her again, but she side stepped him and grabbed his wrist. She started spinning him around as he screamed, she then grabbed his belt and tied his wrist to his ankle. Sokka hopped for a few seconds before he fell down.
"Anything else you'd like to 'teach' us?" Suki asked jokingly as Erza placed her foot on Sokka's head.
"I hope you learned your lesson about underestimating our gender." She said.
"HAVE YOU?!" Erza screamed, scaring Sokka.
"Yes...ma'am." Sokka answered with fear in his voice.
"You know how to scare people." Suki said.
"I am the strongest female wizard in my guild." Erza explained.
"The strongest? That's amazing. You can teach us how to fight." Suki said.
"That's fine. I just want to observe your fighting style since I'm interested." Erza said.
"But first, let me escort him out." She led Sokka outside and once they're outside Erza untied him before punching him in the head hard.
"Stay here until you're ready to apologize to Suki for insulting her." Erza told him before she went back inside the dojo. Sokka sighed as he sat down.
Back in the village, Aang was still with the fan girls as they stared at Avatar Kyoshi's statue.
"There she is. My past life." Aang said.
"Wow. You were pretty." One of the girls said.
"I'll be right back." He left to find the others.
He found Katara, Natsu, Gray, Wendy, Happy and Carla at a market, purchasing vegetables. Aang then came over and tapped Katara on the shoulder.
"Oh good. You're here. Can you help us carry this back to our room, it's a little heavy." Katara greeted him.
"I can't right now." Aang said.
"What do you mean you can't?" Gray asked.
"I promised the girls I'd give the girls a ride on Appa. Do you guys wanna come? It'll be fun." Aang replied before he offered.
"Watching you show off for a bunch of girls doesn't sound fun to me." Katara said as she returned to collecting vegetables.
"Well, neither does carrying your basket." Aang countered.
"He's got ya there." Natsu added.
"Shut up Flamebrain." Gray stated.
"These supplies are for our trip." Katara explained.
"I told you old friend, we can't stay here that long." Ray reminded him.
"I don't want to leave Kyoshi yet. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something I really like about this place." Aang said. Just then, one of the girls came over to Aang.
"What's taking so long, Aangy?" She asked impatiently.
"Aangy?" Wendy asked Carla who shrugged. Natsu and Happy chuckle after hearing this name.
"Aangy?" Katara and Gray questioned at the same time.
"Just a second Koko!" Aang replied.
"So much for not letting this go to your head Aang." Ray sweat dropped.
"It didn't go to my head. You guys are just jealous." Aang replied.
"JEALOUS? Of what?" Katara asked, annoyed as she looked away and started to gather vegetables again.
"Jealous that I'm having so much fun without you." Aang said as Katara furiously handed Wendy the basket full of vegetables.
"That's ridiculous!" Katara argued.
"It is a little ridiculous, but I understand." Aang said. Katara huffed furiously, took the basket from Wendy and stormed off. Natsu, Happy, Gray, Wendy and Carla follow her while Ray headed towards the dojo to see how Erza and Lucy were doing. Aang watched them leave and rejoined his fan girls.
"I can't believe he's actually letting this go to his head." Katara stated.
"'Simple monk' my behind. More like 'simpleminded monk'." Gray muttered.
"Guys, give him a break. This is probably the first time Aang has been treated like a hero around here for being the Avatar." Wendy said.
"Wendy does have a point, but you are right about Aang's current behavior." Carla noted.
"Hopefully Lucy isn't like Aang and letting this prophesied Celestial Mage thing go to her head." Gray said.
"We actually haven't seen her all day." Happy commented.
"She said she wanted to learn how to fight with those female warriors we met yesterday." Katara explained.
"I should hope so. If any guy comes chasing her around this village, they're gonna wish they hadn't." Natsu said.
"Jealous, are we?" Gray asked with a smirk.
"I'm not jealous of anything. I just want Lucy to be safe." Natsu said.
"I'm sure she's fine, Natsu. It's just like Katara said, she's probably training to learn how to fight better." Gray replied.
Meanwhile Sokka was kicking a stone as he walked over to the door and saw Suki and the other female warriors training again. Erza was watching them to learn how they fight. Sokka sighed and decided to swallow his pride. He entered the dojo causing the warriors to stop as they spot him. Suki was disappointed to see him.
"Hi, Suki." Sokka greeted her awkwardly.
"Here for another dance lesson?" Suki asked him mockingly.
"No...I...let me explain." Sokka said hesitantly.
"Spit it out! What do you want?" Suki asked. Erza glared at him causing Sokka to shake in fear again before dropping to his knees.
"Will you teach me?" Sokka asked.
"Even if I'm a GIRL?" Suki asked indignantly as she crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry if I insulted you earlier. It was wrong of me." Sokka said.
"Please make an exception like you did with Lucy. I won't let you down." Sokka assured them as he bowed.
"What do you think, Erza?" Suki asked her.
"I think he's learned his lesson about how it doesn't matter what gender you are to be better at something." Erza said.
"Have you Sokka?" She asked.
"Yes, I have." Sokka answered.
"Alright then, but you have to follow all our traditions." Suki instructed.
"Of course." Sokka replied quickly.
"And she means ALL of them." Erza added, making Suki smirk.
"This I gotta see." Ray muttered. He had slipped into the dojo and was leaning against a wall.
A few moments later Sokka was wearing the same green outfit and white face paint as the Kyoshi Warriors.
"Do I really have to wear this?" Sokka asked.
"Why? Does it make you feel girly?" Erza asked causing him to nod.
"Bravery and honor." Sokka said as Lucy and Skyla enter the dojo.
"Welcome back. How did your training go?" Suki asked.
"Lucy's a good learner. I taught her whatever I could teach her and she's getting good at it. We later sparred and she proved she can be a threat if you mess with her." Skyla explained.
"Well done, Lucy. I knew you could learn to handle yourself." Erza said proudly.
"It was a little hard at first, but I still got the hang of it." Lucy said. She spotted Sokka in the Kyoshi Warrior's uniform.
"Nice dress Sokka." She remarked making Suki, Skyla and Erza while Sokka felt as if his pride was deflated. Suki was enjoying his discomfort.
"So are you gonna train Sokka?" Lucy asked.
"Yes. Would you like to watch?" Suki offered.
"I'd love to, but I think I should meet back up with Aang." Lucy said.
"Mind if I join you?" Skyla asked.
"Not at all." Lucy answered. The two then left the dojo.
Meanwhile at the house the gang was staying in Katara was practicing her waterbending while Natsu, Happy and Wendy watch with amazement while Gray was reminded of Juvia's Water Magic.
"You're pretty good with that Water...what was that word called again?" Natsu asked, trying to remember what her ability was.
"Waterbending, Ash-For-Brains." Gray said, slightly annoyed.
"Right. I knew that." Natsu said as Gray shook his head.
"Though he's right. You're pretty good." Gray told her.
"Thanks. So I forgot to ask you guys. Lucy told me you guys use magic. What magic do you use?" Katara asked.
"Mine is Ice Magic. It allows me to create anything with ice." Gray answered as he used his Ice magic to create a flower and then gave it to Katara.
"I use Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, but that doesn't mean I'm from the Fire Nation so don't be alarmed." Natsu explained.
"My magic is Sky Dragon Slayer Magic. It's almost like manipulating the air." Wendy also explained.
"What about you two?" Katara asked Happy and Carla.
"We can summon wings and fly." Carla answered.
"Aye. Just like Momo except our flight has a time limit." Happy added.
"That's neat. And since Lucy's the Celestial Mage, I know she can summon these beings called Celestial Spirits with those Gate Keys." Katara said.
"Yep and Erza can change into different types of armor." Gray explained.
"Wow. Hopefully I can see that sometime." Katara said as she continued to practice her Waterbending.
"Hey guys, remember how the unagi almost got me yesterday?" Aang asked.
"Yeah." Katara answered without bothering to look at him following their earlier argument.
"What about it?" Wendy asked.
"What are you thinking in that head of yours?" Gray questioned.
"Well, I'm gonna ride it now. It's gonna be REAL dangerous." Aang said shocking Natsu, Happy, Wendy and Carla.
"Good for you." Katara said still looking away from him. Natsu, Happy, Wendy and Carla were even more shocked after she said it.
"What?!" Gray asked shocked along with Aang.
"You're not gonna stop me?" A surprised Aang asked.
"Nope. Have fun." Katara said.
"I will." Aang assured her, crossing his arms.
"Great." Katara said.
"I know it's great." Aang replied.
"I'm glad you know." Katara replied back.
"I'm glad you're glad." Aang replied back to her.
"Good!" Katara said as she stopped waterbending and clenched her fist.
"Fine!" Aang replied before he stormed off. He stopped for a second only to see Katara looking away from him with her arms folded as Gray decided to walk over to her.
"You know you might think you don't care, but I know deep down you actually do." Gray pointed out.
"Well, he's still letting this thing get out of hand. What am I supposed to do about it?" Katara asked.
"Be his friend and stop him. I'm sure he'd do the same thing for you if he were in your shoes." Gray answered as Katara remained silent.
Back at the dojo Sokka and Suki circle each other with their fans in their hands.
"You're not gonna master it in one day. Even I'm not that good." Suki said as Sokka lost his balance.
"I think I'm starting to get the hang of it." Sokka said. He then started moving around with the fan before throwing it at a tree and knocking the snow off of it.
"It's not about strength." Suki explained.
"Our technique is about using your opponents' force against them. Loosen up. Think of the fan as a extension of your arm." She said as she assumes her battle stance and Sokka gained a determined expression.
"Wait for an opening and then..." Suki lunged at Sokka, who parried the thrust and knocked her off her feet. Suki was surprised and embarrassed while Sokka crossed his arms with a smirk.
"Hmm." Sokka said as Suki got back up.
"I fell on purpose to make you feel better!" Suki said as Sokka laughed.
"Admit it! I got you!" Sokka said pointing a finger at his instructor. Suki grabbed it and bent it back playfully.
"It was a lucky shot. Do it again." Suki said as the two resume training.
Meanwhile Aang was in the water while his fan girls were sitting on the shore, looking impatient and bored.
"What's taking so long?" Koko asked.
"Oh I know, how about this?" Aang questioned as he tried to entertain them with the marble trick.
"Not that again. BORING!" One of the little girls said.
"Where's the unagi? It's getting late!" Koko exclaimed as the girls stood up.
"Wait! Don't leave!" Aang cried.
"Sorry Aang, maybe next time." Koko said as the girls left. Feeling depressed he sees Katara, Natsu, Happy, Gray, Wendy and Carla arriving at the beach.
"Guys! You came!" Aang exclaimed.
"We wanted to see if you were alright. You had us worried." Katara explained.
"Katara was mostly worried about you." Gray added.
"I thought you didn't care back there." Aang said.
"I'm sorry." Katara apologized.
"Me too. I heard what Ray told you and he was right. I did let the attention go to my head. I was being a jerk." Aang apologized as well.
"Well, get out of the water before you catch a cold, ya big jerk!" Natsu said, smiling.
"Aye!" Happy said as he swam over to the others. Along the way the unagi started following him. A few seconds later something came underneath Aang and lifted him out of the water. He was no longer under the water but was on the body of the unagi, who's head was staring down at him. It started spewing a giant blast of water at Aang, but he held onto one of the scales to prevent himself from falling off. The unagi then lunged at Aang, who grabbed one of his whiskers. The unagi shook it's head back and forth in a attempt to get rid of Aang, but he held on screaming for dear life in front of it's mouth.
"Aang!" Wendy cried as Lucy and Skyla arrive on the beach.
"What's happening?" Lucy asked.
"The unagi from before is attacking Aang." Natsu answered.
"Oh no..." Skyla gasped.
The unagi kept shaking it's head and eventually Aang was flung off. He was unconscious as he floated to the surface. The unagi then submerged itself and swam towards Aang. The others ran over to him. Lucy got to him first and held him in her arms as the unagi surfaced. Everyone leaped away from the unagi but it dived into the water with enough force to send them flying towards a small cavern. The unagi sprayed two blasts of water before diving back under the ocean. As Gray, Wendy, Happy, Carla, Skyla and Katara got to their feet, they saw Lucy was on top of Natsu and didn't even notice it.
"Well, that hurt." Gray said.
"Aye..." Happy nodded, feeling dizzy. Just then Lucy and Natsu noticed they were on top of each other and quickly backed away.
"I'm so sorry." Lucy apologized.
"No. It was a accident." Natsu brushed it off as he started to blush.
"You two okay?" Skyla asked. The two nod before hearing something.
"What's that?" Wendy asked. Lucy looked to see a ship heading towards the island and knew exactly who owned it.
"Zuko." She said.
The ship stopped on the shore. Zuko, Aiko and several soldiers were on komodo-rhinos.
"I want the Avatar and Celestial Mage alive!" Zuko ordered as he, Aiko and the soldiers head towards the village while everyone was hiding inside the cavern.
"Just to be clear, Zuko's the one with the scar right?" Gray asked. Lucy and Katara nod.
"They're gonna attack Kyoshi looking for you and Aang, Lucy." Katara said.
"Not if I have anything to say about that." Lucy declared as she left the cavern.
"Wait, Luce." Natsu said, following her out of the cavern.
"Wake up Aang." Katara said as she moved her hand from his stomach to his mouth, bending the water inside him into her hand.
"Guys...don't ride the unagi...not fun." Aang muttered.
"I'll keep that in mind." Gray noted.
Back in the village, Suki was still sparring with Sokka in the dojo as he blocked her final strike.
"Not bad." Suki complimented him.
Ray then stood straight up and headed over to the door.
"Is there a problem?" Erza asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Zuko's here." He answered and then walked out of the dojo. Suki, the other Kyoshi Warriors, Sokka and Erza followed him.
Zuko and Aiko enter the town to begin their search.
"Come out, Avatar and Celestial Mage! Neither of you can hide from me forever!" Zuko ordered.
"Men, find them!" He sent his men into the village to begin searching for the two.
As three rhinos moved down the street Suki and the other Kyoshi Warriors appeared and attacked the soldiers. Suki jumped off one rhino and charged at the rhino Zuko was on, but Aiko's rhino swiped Suki aside with it's tail knocking her down. Zuko attacked his fallen foe with a fire blast but Sokka deflected the attack as Zuko was knocked off his rhino by another Kyoshi Warrior.
"I guess training's over." Sokka told Suki.
Sokka, Suki and the other Kyoshi Warriors approach Zuko, who spun around and knocked them all down with Aiko's help.
"Nice try, you two but these little girls can't save you!" Zuko called out after getting to his feet.
"Who are you calling a little girl?" A voice asked. Zuko and Aiko turned to see Lucy with Natsu, Gray, Erza and Wendy by her side.
"Finally." Zuko stated.
"So one of them is the prophesied Celestial Mage. Let's see what she can do." Aiko added.
"You want to see what I'm capable of? Well then, I'd be more than willing to show you." Lucy said, holding one of her gate keys.
"Open, Gate of the Golden Bull Taurus!" She called as a humanoid black and white bull appeared in front of her, shocking Zuko and Aiko.
"So what Uncle told us is true, you really are the prophesied Celestial Mage!" Zuko exclaimed.
"That's right and Taurus and I will beat you!" Lucy declared.
"If you ever touch Lucy, I'll crush you!" Taurus hollered.
"I'm not scared of a talking cow wielding a ax." Aiko said.
"Let's get them." Zuko said as he and Aiko throw fire blasts at the two but they dodge. Taurus charged towards the two swinging his ax. Aiko and Zuko side step it and then Aiko produces white fire and throws it at Taurus. Lucy throws a punch at Aiko, followed by a roundhouse kick. Zuko tried to throw more fire at her, but she struck him with her whip then Taurus slammed his ax down producing a earthquake.
"Enough!" Aiko yelled as she threw punches and kicks at Lucy. She dodged all of them and threw another punch which was followed by a spin kick. Taurus charged and went on the offensive with his ax. She back flipped to avoid it and then shot white fire balls at Taurus who blocked them and threw his ax. Zuko sent two fire blasts at them, but Lucy lands a series of kicks before eventually knocking him down with a drill kick.
"You're annoying me!" Zuko yelled.
"So are you, jerk!" Lucy yelled back. Zuko threw fire at her but a wall of white fire cut his attack off.
"You're dealing with me now." Ray declared, getting in front of Lucy and Taurus.
He then brought his fist down and two large white fire balls sped towards the two. Zuko and Aiko barely dodged this attack.
"Your friends can't protect you forever, Celestial Mage!" Aiko exclaimed.
"Maybe not, but I can still beat you!" Lucy shouted as she sent a series of kicks at Aiko and Zuko. They dodge the attack as Zuko threw fire at her, but she grabbed a hold of a barrel with her whip and threw it at Zuko sending him flying into a wall covering him in water.
"You!" Aiko gritted her teeth. She was about to throw fire at her when Aang and Skyla blew her away.
"Thanks." Lucy said.
"No problem." Aang said as he looked at the now burning town and saw the Avatar Kyoshi was on fire. Then they see Katara, Happy and Carla coming over to them.
"Look what I brought to this place." He said sadly.
"It's not your fault, Aang." Wendy told him.
"Yes it is. These people got their town destroyed trying to protect me and Lucy." Aang argued.
"We should get out of here. I know Zuko will follow us." Ray suggested.
"I'll call Appa." Aang sadly agreed.
"You guys go and I'll help protect this island. I'd say it was great meeting you all, but I might see you guys again." Skyla said as she went to a different part of the village.
"Is there anything else I can do, Lucy?" Taurus asked.
"That will be all, Taurus. Go back to the Celestial Spirit World to rest." She said. Taurus nods before vanishing.
The Kyoshi Warriors were still fending off Firebenders. One of them hurled a fan at a Firebender knocking him out. During the battle, Sokka and Suki hid behind a building.
"There's no time to say goodbye." Suki argued.
"What about I'm sorry?" Sokka asked.
"For what?" Suki asked back.
"I treated you like a girl, when I should have treated you like a warrior." Sokka addressed her.
"I am a warrior, but I'm a girl too." Suki replied as she kissed Sokka on the cheek making him blush.
"Now go. We'll hold them off." Suki ordered as she ran back to the battle. Sokka spotted Appa and got on his saddle.
"Appa, yip yip!" Lucy ordered. Appa took the sky alongside ShineGreymon and Omnimon, as Zuko noticed his targets were escaping.
"Men! Back to the ship! Don't lose sight of them!" Zuko ordered as he ran off.
Appa was flying through the air and Aang looked back at the burning village. He was still upset that he had to leave as Lucy and Katara lean over to comfort him.
"I know it's hard, but you did the right thing." Katara said.
"She's right. Zuko would have destroyed the whole village if we stayed there too long." Carla added.
"They will be okay, Aang. I'm sure of it." Erza consoled him. Lucy looked back at the village and dived off of Appa.
"Lucy, what are you doing?!" Gray asked as she fell off, shocking everyone.
"LUCE!" Natsu shouted.
Most of them watched in horror as she disappeared into the water and a few seconds later, the unagi surfaced from the water with Lucy riding it while holding onto it's whiskers before forcing the unagi to head towards the burning village then she pulled the unagi's whiskers causing it to spray water all over the building as it began to extinguish the fires that Zuko, Aiko and the soldiers started. Zuko, Aiko and the firebenders were soaked by the water and Zuko is now unhappy. On the back of the unagi's head, she saw the island was safe and let go of the unagi's whiskers and as it reared it's head back Lucy jumped into the air as ShineGreymon flew over and the old man watched them fly away with a grateful smile on his face.
"Thank you, Avatar and Celestial Mage." He said.
As Appa flew away Skyla watched this with a grateful smile on her face as well.
"Good job, you guys." She said, smiling.
While Appa was still flying, ShineGreymon placed Lucy on his saddle as everyone waited for her to come back.
"Now THAT'S how you ride a unagi." Lucy boasted.
"Show off." Gray muttered.
"At least you saved the village like that. Good job, Lucy." Aang complimented her.
"Thanks." Lucy said noticing Erza was giving her a look like she was about to be lectured.
"I know what you're gonna say, Erza. That was dangerous and stupid." Lucy said, expecting her to say something like that.
"Yes it was, but you still saved the village from being burned to the ground. Well done, Lucy." Erza said. Lucy nodded and then Natsu hugs her tightly again.
"I'm glad you're still okay. Do me a favor, Luce. Don't ever fall off like that again.
Ever since you fell off that cliff, I'm scared of seeing you fall off of something now." Natsu said.
"I'm sorry Natsu, but I felt it was the only option." Lucy apologized.
"I know, but promise me." Natsu pleaded.
"Okay. I promise I won't fall off of anything like that again." Lucy agreed to his request.
"Thank you." Natsu said, hugging her again.
"At least you don't do as much crazy stunts as Aang does." Katara pointed out.
"Hopefully that's the last time she does this." Gray said, smiling.
"You can take that outfit off now, Sokka. You already realized that women can be as strong as men." Erza said.
"I'll take it off later." Sokka replied.
"Why's he dressed like that anyway?" Happy asked.
"It's probably a girl thing, Happy." Carla answered.
"Something you wouldn't understand." Erza pointed out.
"She's got ya there." Aang said.
While Appa was flying away the unagi's fin is shown still swimming through the water.