Disclaimer: I do Not own Avatar The last Air-bender or it's associated properties.

After spending about a week in the canyon the Gaang had a discussion and decided that with everything they had been through in the last few months they thought they should have a small vacation.

So, now the group was traveling around to different places with each of them taking turns on where to go.

They had just finished Dijin's vacation spot which was a natural hot springs resort that everyone enjoyed.

Currently, they were in a barren plain that had holes everywhere for Aang's vacation spot.

Aang himself was sitting on the ground holding a small flute he had bought while everyone stood behind him.

As the group stood behind Aang, Sokka couldn't help but ask "Aang, What's out here exactly?"

Toph knelt on the ground and placed her hand on it while saying "A lot, actually. There's hundreds of little-"

She was cut off by Aang who said "Shhh! I know you can see underground, but don't ruin the surprise. Just watch." Aang then placed the flute to his lips and played a short tune.

As soon as Aang finished his tune a small Gopher popped out of one the many holes surrounding them and mimicked Aang's tune.

Aang laughed before playing some more music causing more Gophers to pop out and make sounds.

Aang just continued to laugh while saying "I'm putting an orchestra together."

Sokka however, just frowned at the display and said "Orchestra, huh? Well... La-di-da. Look, this is great and all, but don't we have more important things to worry about? We should be making plans."

Toph answered Sokka saying "We did make plans. We talked about it and we all decided to pick mini vacations."

Sokka just grumbled before saying "There's no time for vacations."

Aang looked at Sokka saying "I'm learning the elements as fast as I can. I practice hard with Katara and Toph every day. I've been training my Arrow off." Aang then glared at Dijin saying "Not to mention Dijin keeps giving Toph ideas on how to Improve my training."

Dijin just ignored the shot at him while Katara said "Yeah. What's wrong with having a little fun in our downtime?"

Sokka spoke realistically to the group saying "Even if Aang does master all of the elements, Then what? It's not like we have a map of the Fire Nation. Should we just head west until we reach the Fire Lord's house?"

Sokka then spoke sarcastically saying "Knock, knock! Hello, Fire Lord! Anybody home? I don't think so." Sokka got serious as he said "We need some intelligence if we're gonna win this war."

Dijin spoke up then saying "Okay, fine. You have a point Sokka. We will finish our vacations then we will look for your... intelligence."

Dijin let out a laugh at his joke while everyone else chuckled except Sokka.

Aang chose then to dig into his bag and pull out a map saying "Your turn, Katara. Where would you like to go on your mini-vacation?"

Katara looked at the map before smiling and saying "How about the Misty Palms Oasis? That sounds refreshing."

Aang got excited as well saying "Oh, yeah, I've been there. It's a pristine natural Ice Ground. And I don't usually use the word pristine. It's one of nature's natural wonders."

xxLine Breakxx

When the Gaang arrived at the Misty Palms they were quickly disappointed with what they saw.

Apparently, in the last hundred years the Ice Ground had melted to an Ice cube the size of a small boulder while the surrounding area was filled with mercenaries and members of the Sand-bender tribes.

The Sand-benders chose to dress in tan robes that wrapped around their bodies, they wore tan head wraps that covered their heads and faces, they wore bandages around their hands a feet, and they chose to not wear shoes.

Aang just had an awkward smile on his face before saying "The place must have changed ownership since I was last here."

The group made their way into town but as soon as they entered the welcome sign above the gate fell down causing them all to jump in surprise before making their way towards a nearby tavern.

Aang, Toph, and Katara pushed aside the flap to enter the Tavern but when Sokka approached, one of the nearby Sand-benders spit on the ground in front him.

Sokka frowned at the rude display while the Sand-bender just wiped his mouth with a smirk.

Dijin however, wasn't about to let some punk be rude to his friend so he said "Go on ahead Sokka, I need to have a word with this guy."

Sokka just shrugged his shoulders saying "See you inside." before he went into the tavern.

As soon as Sokka was inside the tavern the Sand-bender that was rude to him was launched through two walls of the building where he remained on the ground in a bloody heap.

The tavern Patrons just looked at the beaten man in shock before Dijin walked into the tavern saying "Sorry about that folks. He forgot his manners so I needed to re-educate him." Dijin then walked over to the bar-tender and placed a couple of gold pieces on the counter saying "One round of drinks on me!"

The patrons roared in approval while the beaten man was forgotten from their minds.

Dijin then ordered some drinks for his friends while another man ordered a drink for himself.

After noticing Dijin was getting them drinks the Gaang walked over to him to get their refreshments but when Aang walked up he accidently bumped into the man who was next to Dijin spilling the man's drink on his own monk robes.

The man was about to apologize but Aang spoke up saying "No worries. I clean up easy." Aang then placed his fists together Air-bending a current around himself that dried his clothes.

The Man looked at Aang in wonder before whispering "You're a living relic."

Aang just smiled saying "Thanks. I try."

The man placed a hand on his chin saying "An Air nomad right in front of me." the man then clasped his right hand in his left fist before bowing and introducing himself saying "I'm Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Se university."

As the man introduced himself the Gaang got a look at him.

He wore a tan short sleeve robe that went to his shins but opened at his knees, he had on a pair of tan pants, he had green eyes and no facial hair, he wore a tan sun hat with an attached scarf to block the sun, under the hat he was bald save for a long black braided ponytail that went to his upper back, he had bandages wrapped around his hands and forearms, and for shoes he wore brown boots.

Professor Zei walked a little closer to Aang and grabbed his arm to look at his tattoos while saying "Tell me... which of the Air Temples do you hail from?"

Aang just looked at the man awkwardly before answering saying "The Southern Temple."

The man giggled in excitement before grabbing a measuring tool and placing it on Aang's head while saying "Oh, splendid! Now, tell me, what was the primary agricultural product of your people?"

Aang was starting to feel uncomfortable with how the man was observing him but replied anyway saying "Uh, are fruit pies an agricultural product?"

Professor Zei simply put his tool away as he held a hand to his chin saying "Oh! Truly fascinating. That's one for the journal for sure." Zei then whipped out a journal which he began to write in.

Sokka chose then to speak up saying "So, professor, you're obviously a well-traveled guy. Do you have a current map of the Four Nations? Ours is a little dated."

Professor Zei just smiled before putting his journal away and saying "Certainly."

Zei quickly took his bag off his back before digging through it and pulling out his map.

As Zei unfolded his map on nearby empty table the Gaang sat around it while enjoying the drinks Dijin got them.

Sokka finished his drink while looking at map but he soon growled in frustration and said "What? No Fire Nation? Doesn't anybody have a good map of that place?"

Katara set her own drink down before pointing at the map saying "You've made a lot of trips into the desert."

Zei just sighed and said "All in vain, I'm afraid." He then looked at the group saying "I have found lost civilizations all over the Earth Kingdom, but I haven't managed to find the crown jewel—Wan-Chi Tong's Library."

Dijin quickly did a spit take and started to cough saying "Wan-Chi Tong's Library! Are you crazy!?"

Zei looked at the Lava-bender shocked and said "You've heard of it?"

Dijin shook his head and said "No. But I've heard of Wan-Chi Tong and he is not a spirit to be trifled with."

Aang looked at Dijin curiously and asked "Did Iroh tell you about him?"

Dijin nodded his head saying "Yeah. He said Wan-Chi Tong used to love humans and spreading his knowledge throughout the world but when he learned how cruel humans can be he started to hate them with a passion."

Toph chose then to speak up saying "So let me get this straight, you've spent years walking through a desert to find some human hating spirit's library?"

Zei just smiled and said "This Library is more valuable than gold, little lady. It is said to contain a vast collection of knowledge. And knowledge... is priceless."

Toph just kicked her feet up while sarcastically saying "Hmm. Sounds like good times."

Zei just ignored her sarcasm and said "Oh, it is. According to legend, Wan-Chi Tong built the library with the help of his foxy knowledge seekers."

Sokka smirked saying "Oh, so this spirit has attractive assistants, huh?"

Dijin spoke up saying "No, you block head. Their actual fox spirits. They travel around the world collecting books and other parchments for Wan-chi Tong."

Zei just replied "Your both technically right. Handsome little creatures." Zei quickly dug into his bag and pulled out a piece of parchment which had a picture of the library as he said "Wan-Chi Tong and his knowledge seekers collected books and many other things from all over the world and put them on display for mankind to read. So, we might better ourselves"

Zei then gained a sad look before saying "But in the last decade or so no one has been able to find Wan-Chi Tong's library. Which leads me to believe that your friend may be right and Wan-Chi Tong may not want anyone to find his library anymore."

Sokka looked at the picture with interest and said "If this place has books from all over the world, do you think they've got information on the Fire Nation? A map maybe?"

Zei looked up curiously before replying saying "I wouldn't know. But if such a thing exists, it's in Wan-Chi Tong's library."

Sokka placed a hand on his chin to think before he said "Then it's settled. Aang, I do believe it's my turn for a vacation." Sokka then pointed at the ceiling dramatically saying "And I'd like to spend it at the library!"

Toph quickly slammed her cup down on the table they were sitting at saying "Uh, Hey, What about me? When do I get to pick?"

Sokka just smiled smugly before saying "You've gotta work here a little longer to qualify for vacation time."

Toph just crossed her arms mad at the comment while Dijin smacked Sokka upside head saying "Shut up, Sokka. I'm sure Toph's idea is more fun than going to a cursed library."

Toph smiled at Dijin while the Gaang laughed at his comment before Zei spoke up saying "Of course, there's the matter of finding it. I've made several trips into the Zi Huang desert and almost died each time. I'm afraid that desert is impossible to cross on foot."

The Gaang shared a Knowing look with one another before Sokka spoke up saying "Professor, would you like to see our Sky Bison?"

Zei looked at the group shocked and said excitedly "A Sky Bison! You actually have one?!"

The Gaang led the Professor outside but were shocked to find some Sand-benders harassing Appa.

Dijin seeing this quickly ran forward and stomped his foot on the ground sending a stream of hardened sand at the benders screaming "Get the Fuck away from Appa!"

The hardened sand hit the benders dead center launching them away from the Sky Bison.

The Sand-benders got up quickly and were about to retaliate but then they noticed Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph join Dijin in protecting their animal friend so they quickly ran off to what looked like a boat with a sail but it traveled on sand.

As the Sand-benders sailed away on their vehicle Professor Zei spoke up saying "Sand-benders, they usually keep to themselves but when they see something of value, they do whatever it takes to get their hands on it."

The group just watched the benders leave before they all climbed onto Appa and took off to find Wan-Chi Tong's library.

xxLine Breakxx

The group flew across the desert sands for a few hours looking for the library while Professor Zei was just having a good time enjoying flying for the first time before he crawled up to Appa's forehead and said "Tell me, Sky Bison, are you the last of your breed?"

Appa just let out a small roar to respond while Zei got even more excited saying "oh, delightful! I only wish I could speak your language. Oh, the stories this creature could tell."

Momo chose then to try and get some attention but Zei just shushed him saying "Hush, be quiet chatty monkey."

Aang spoke up then after looking at the drawing of the library saying "Wow. It shouldn't be too hard to find a place like this out here."

After that, the group flew across the desert for a couple more hours looking for the library.

Toph and Dijin however, were getting sick of flying for so long so Toph spoke first saying "Arrrgh! Does this place even exist?"

Dijin spoke next saying "For real, how long do we have to keep searching for?"

Zei just replied in a matter-of-fact tone saying "Some people say the library doesn't even exist at all. That's one of the reasons why so many have entered the desert and perished looking for it."

Toph and Dijin frowned at the professor before saying at the same time "Shouldn't you have mentioned that before?"

The two then growled before collapsing on their backs next to each other while looking at the sky.

After another hour of flying the group was still searching for the library until Toph suddenly spoke up saying "Look! There it is!" as she pointed in a random direction.

Everyone except Dijin looked at where the girl was pointing but saw nothing but desert.

The group looked at her strangely before Toph said "That's what one of you will say when you find it." she then gave them a goofy smile while waving her hand in front of her blind eyes.

The group frowned at her joke while Dijin just busted out laughing before high-fiving the girl with her doing the same.

When Dijin and Toph stopped laughing Katara spoke up saying "It shouldn't be this hard to spot a giant ornate building from the air."

Suddenly Sokka spotted something and he quickly grabbed a telescope Zei had before looking out towards the desert.

He soon smiled before shouting "Down there. What's that?" he then pointed towards a direction towards their right.

Aang saw what he was pointing at and quickly had Appa fly over to that location.

Once the group landed, they saw that what Sokka had seen was a tall stone tower that was at least 50 feet high sticking out of the desert sand.

Katara just seemed disappointed as she spoke up saying "Forget it. It's not what we're looking for. The building in the drawing is enormous."

Suddenly though, the group saw a fox climb over one of the sand dunes but what was more curious was that the fox seemed to be carrying a scroll of some kind.

The group then watched amazed as the animal ran straight up the tower and into one of the windows at the top.

Zei got excited saying "That must have been one of the knowledge seekers." he clasped his hands together excitedly saying "We must be close to the library."

Sokka realizing that they were actually in the right place grabbed the drawing Professor Zei had and said "No. This is the library. Look."

He then showed the group the picture before pointing at the tower saying "The library is completely buried under the sand."

Zei gained a look of shock before shouting in despair "The Library is buried?! My life's ambition is now full of sand." He then collapsed onto his hands and knees depressed before brightening up saying "Well, time to start excavating." he quickly pulled out a small hand shovel and started to dig.

Toph however, walked over to the tower and placed a hand on it while saying "Actually, that won't be necessary. The inside seems to be completely intact and it's huge."

Sokka spoke up saying "That fox went through a window so maybe..." Sokka quickly grabbed some rope from his bag before handing it to Aang saying "Aang, I need you to glide up to the top and secure this so we can climb up. Got it?"

Aang just smiled and took the rope saying "No problem, Sokka." Aang grabbed his glider and took off towards the top of the tower where he secured the rope and said "Okay! You guys can come up now."

Sokka, Zei, and Katara went to climb the rope but Katara noticed Toph and Dijin weren't moving so she asked "Aren't you guy's coming?"

Toph spoke first saying "You guys go on ahead without me."

Katara still confused asked "Why? You got something against libraries?"

Toph just shrugged her shoulders saying "I've held books before and honestly they don't do anything for me."

Katara realizing her mistake said "Right. Sorry."

Toph just smiled saying "No big. Let me know if they have anything you can listen too."

Katara then turned her attention to Dijin saying "What about you? Why aren't you going?"

Dijin just crossed his arms saying "If I learned anything from Iroh, it's that Wan-Chi Tong is a spiteful spirit and I don't want to end up on his bad side. so, I'm just gonna hang out with Appa here."

Dijin then patted the Sky Bison's side making him roar in appreciation.

Katara nodded her head accepting the answer as she and the others climbed the rope and disappeared into the library.

Toph and Dijin then looked at the Sky Bison and both them said "Sup, furball"

Appa just roared again before plopping himself down in the sand while Dijin said "Yeah, kinda figured that was the case."

xxLine Breakxx

A few minutes later Toph and Dijin could be seen sitting against Appa's body as they played in the sand waiting for their friends to come back.

Dijin glanced at the blind girl and he decided to ask her something that's been on his mind since he met her.

He turned towards her and said "Hey, Toph. Can I ask you something?"

Toph turned to face him as she replied "Sure, we got nothing better to do anyway."

He nodded his head before saying "How did you learn to Earth-bend the way you do?"

Toph raised an eyebrow at the question before Dijin clarified saying "It's just the way your able to predict and counter other benders is almost supernatural. I've been training since I was a kid and my bending is child's play compared to yours."

Toph smiled at the compliment before she said "Well, since your being so honest about it, I'll tell you."

Toph turned her gaze towards the desert as she began her story saying "I didn't have a normal teacher like you or Twinkle Toes. I was actually taught by Badger-Moles."

Dijin's eyes widened before saying "Your teachers were Badger-Moles? I mean I've sparred against some to practice but they could actually teach like in the legends?"

Toph just smiled while nodding her head saying "Yeah, it all started when I was about 5 years old. One day I had run away from home and hid in a cave. That's where I met them. They were blind, just like me, so we understood each other. I was able to learn Earth-bending, not just as a Martial Art but as an extension of my senses. For them, the original Earth-benders, it wasn't just about fighting. It was their way of interacting with the world."

Dijin just looked at Toph amazed before saying "That's incredible, Toph. To think your bending is so strong just from how you were taught."

Toph smiled back at him before saying "You know, I could teach you too."

Dijin's eyes widened in surprise saying "Wait, really?"

Toph just chuckled saying "Of course, if Twinkle Toes can learn it, so can you."

Dijin smiled again before saying "Thanks, Toph. I think I'll take you up on that."

The two smiled at one another again before Toph spoke up saying "So, now you know how I bend. How about you tell me how you do that Lava-bending stuff."

Dijin's mood instantly dropped at the question as he remembered his past but then he looked at the blind girl and realized that the two of them had really bonded since their meeting and she had just shared her past with him so Dijin made his decision and told her his.

He then looked at Toph seriously as he said "Okay, I'll tell you. but you have to promise not to tell anyone else."

Toph raised an eyebrow at the statement while saying "Why? What's the big deal?"

Dijin grabbed Toph's hand and said "What I'm about to tell you is something I've never told anyone except my teacher King Bumi." he then squeezed Toph's hand saying "I need you to promise no one else will know what I'm about to tell you."

Toph blushed at the feeling of Dijin's hand grabbing hers before she gained a serious look saying "Don't worry, Hot Rocks. I can keep a secret."

He let go of Toph's hand and said "Okay, I trust you." he took a deep breath before he started his tale saying "First thing you have to know is, I don't know how I'm able to Lava-bend it just happened randomly."

He looked at Toph before saying "I was born into your typical Earth-kingdom family. My Father was a mine worker and my Mother was a seamstress. Not to mention I had three brothers and a sister."

Toph's eyes widened at hearing how large Dijin's family was before he continued saying "When I was 5 years old, One day while my siblings and I were playing ball in the street, Then a nobleman's wagon suddenly came speeding down the road.

My siblings got out of the way but our ball was left in the street. Since I was just a child, I foolishly ran into the road to grab it. My family tried to stop me but it was too late the wagon was going to hit me. I was so scared all I could do was close my eyes and hold my hands up."

Dijin paused as his memories came to the surface before he spoke again saying "Once I opened my eyes, I was surprised to find out that the ostrich-Horse pulling the wagon was now melting in a pool of lava in front me while the crowd around me began to talk and murmur to themselves at what they witnessed me do. However, the crowd became silent when the door to wagon opened revealing a Fire Nation Nobleman.

The man walked over to where I was and saw the state of his animal before looking at the magma then at me. After that, he quickly found my parents and offered them a bag of gold pieces to take me away."

Toph's eyes widened in shock before saying "Wait! This Fire Nation Guy offered to buy you?! They didn't say yes, right?"

Dijin just had a solemn look as he said "My parents were already struggling to get by and raise five children. So, when they were offered a chance to help pay off some of their debts and have one less mouth to feed, they didn't hesitate to take the offer."

Toph slammed her fist into the sand causing some dust to form as she shouted "Those Bastards!"

Dijin let Toph calm down before he continued, saying "After that, the nobleman took me to some part of the Earth-kingdom that wasn't on the map and I was taken to this underground cave system."

Dijin's eyes hardened as he remembered the place of his torment before saying "It was an underground Bending arena, where they only way you could win was to kill your opponent."

Toph turned towards Dijin before saying "He didn't."

Dijin just put his head down saying "He did. As soon I entered the place, I was forced to fight a multitude of different things to help train my Lava-bending. At first, I resisted and refused to fight, but I soon realized that was just as bad.

If I refused to fight, I would be starved for days to the point I would eat anything. Then whenever I won a match, I was given rotten meat or fruit to eat. However, the worst of it was when it didn't matter if I won or refused to fight. they would lock me in a suspended metal coffin above a large pit."

Toph's eyes widened in realization saying "That's why your scared of heights."

Dijin eyes hardened again as he said "Yes, and it didn't take me long to get used to the fighting. First I fought wolf-bats, then Platypus-bears, and even Komodo-Rhinos. But what broke me the most was when they had me kill my first person."

Toph just remained silent as she listened to him speak as he said "After all the animals I had fought I finally had a grasp on how to use my bending and I was confident I could take on whatever they threw at me."

Dijin started to cry a little as remembered his first kill saying "When my opponent was shown to me, I was shocked to find out it wasn't an animal at all. Instead, it was a person but it wasn't just any person, it was my father."

Toph turned her whole body towards him and said "No way! I know the Fire Nation is cruel but even they wouldn't go that far!"

Dijin just looked at her solemnly and said "This is the country whose leader burned the left side of his own son's face. Their cruelty knows no bounds."

Toph just sat back stunned while Dijin continued speaking saying "When I saw my father there, I didn't know what to do but I didn't get to question long because my father attacked me with a knife."

Toph looked at him saying "What?"

Dijin just kept speaking saying "Apparently, my father was told if he didn't try and kill me then they would bring my whole family there to fight, and If I didn't kill him, I would face the same punishment."

Dijin's tears flowed freely down his cheeks as he said brokenly "I...I tried to stop him but... he said it was better for me to die than... than allowing his family to be brought to that place."

Dijin was openly crying at this point as he said "My own father... said I was better off dead, and he didn't even consider me his son anymore. I instantly snapped and I summoned what power I could and I said to him... he's dead to me too. before I created a pool of magma right under him."

Dijin buried his head into his arms as he cried and said "I can still hear his screams while that damn crowd cheers me on."

Toph moved over so she could put an arm around Dijin's shoulder as he finished his story saying "For 7 long years I was forced to fight and kill anyone who entered that ring before King Bumi raided the place and found me in my cell. Out of instinct I attacked him but King Bumi being who he was, avoided my Lava-bending easily before he grabbed me and hugged me while telling me everything was going to be ok."

Dijin wiped his eyes before saying "After that, King Bumi took me under his wing and trained me and I made a vow to prove myself worthy of him saving me. Which is why I worked so hard to become his Right-Hand to this day."

As he finished speaking Dijin noticed Toph was silent for a second and her arm was still around him as he said "Toph, you ok?"

Toph quickly pulled her arm back with a blush saying "Yeah, it's just a lot to take in."

She then turned towards him and said "There's is one thing I gotta know, Hot Rocks."

Dijin looked at her and said "What?"

Toph just replied "Why did you trust me with this?"

Dijin smiled at her and said "I don't know really. I just feel I can trust you with anything no matter what."

Toph turned her head away from him with a huge blush as she stammered out "o-of course you can trust me. Besides who else are you gonna confide in, Twinkle Toes?" she then let out an awkward laugh while Dijin laughed with her the tension leaving the air.

Dijin chose then to lean back against Appa saying "That was really stressful. I think I need a nap." he then chuckled as his eyes started to drift closed.

Toph listened to Dijin's steady breathing as he slept and thought to herself "Dijin, thinks that highly of me?" She then placed her hand on her heart since she felt it speed up a bit as she thought "What is this feeling I have? It's so unfamiliar."

She turned her head towards Dijin and smiled while thinking "You know, a nap actually sounds good." Toph then leaned back against Appa to sleep before her head slid over so it was resting on Dijin's chest as she thought one final thing "This is nice."

After the two Earth-benders had been sleeping for about half an hour Appa suddenly roared and moved causing the two to fall to the ground and wake up.

They quickly sat up with Dijin saying "What's wrong boy?"

His eyes suddenly widened though as he noticed the stone tower of the library beginning to sink into the desert sand as he shouted "Toph! The library!"

He quickly moved to the stone tower as Toph felt the tower sinking and shouted "Library's sinking! The Library's Sinking!"

The two quickly slammed their hands into the tower to stop it from sinking more by using their bending but the soft sand made it hard for them to get a solid footing.

Dijin quickly acted by slamming his foot into the ground and twisting it causing the sand under them both to harden.

As the two got a better hold of the tower Dijin said "I don't know what's going on in there, but those guys had better hurry!"

About ten minutes later as the two Earth-benders were holding up the tower they heard Appa roar in distress.

Dijin glanced behind himself and his eyes widened at seeing the Sand-benders from before only they had brought back up and were trying to capture Appa.

Dijin grit his teeth and shouted "Don't you Bastards dare touch him!"

The Sand-benders ignored Dijin's threat and continued to attack Appa by throwing ropes and bolas at the Sky Bison to subdue him.

Dijin glanced at the Tower before letting go and running towards Appa and shouting "I SAID GET AWAY!" before he jumped and slammed his arms into ground creating a small wave of magma that melted some of the Sand-benders instantly while making the others back off.

However, before Dijin could do anything else Toph shouted at him from the tower saying "Hot Rocks, I need your help! I can't hold this thing by myself!"

Dijin gritted his teeth before looking at Toph then at Appa but Dijin was surprised when he saw the Bison nod his head at him as if telling him to go help the blind girl.

Dijin looked at Appa one last time before he turned back towards the tower and said "I'm sorry, Appa." as he ran back to the tower with tears going down his cheeks.

As Dijin slammed his hands back into the tower stopping it's decent. Both he and Toph could only cry as they heard Appa's roars of distress while one man shouted "Put a Muzzle on the beast!"

Soon the Sand-benders dragged their friend away while Toph and Dijin continued to cry while repeatedly saying "We're so sorry, Appa."

Sadly, it wasn't until about another 30 minutes later did Aang and the others finally come out the tower's windows.

When Dijin and Toph knew everyone was safe they quickly let go of the tower with the structure instantly sinking into the sand never to be seen again.

Both Toph and Dijin placed their heads in their arms as they cried together while Aang looked around for his animal friend.

Aang then looked at the two Earth-benders and asked "Hey, where's Appa?"

Dijin and Toph looked at Aang with tear filled eyes while Dijin said "I'm so sorry, Aang, but Appa's gone."

Aang took a step back in shock saying "What?" he then looked at Toph and he realized Dijin wasn't lying.

Aang then got angry as he shouted "Then where is he?!"

Dijin stood up and said "Some Sand-benders came and stole him. I tried to stop them but-"

Aang cut him off shouting "How could you let them take Appa!"

Dijin again tried to explain saying "I did try and stop them! But the tower was sinking it was either you guys or-"

Aang again cut him off shouting "You could have come to get us! I could have saved him!"

Dijin argued back with the Air-bender saying "Don't you think I would have done that if I could? Toph couldn't hold the Tower alone If I-

Aang once again cut him off shouting "You just didn't care! You never liked Appa! You were always scared of him!"

Dijin looked at Aang with wide eyes before he glared at the Air-bender and said "I'm gonna forgive you for that just because I know your upset right now."

Aang just scoffed and turned away from the Lava-bender while Katara said "Aang, stop it. I'm sure Dijin and Toph did everything they could. They saved our lives."

Sokka spoke next saying "Well, who's gonna save our lives now? We'll never make it out this desert."

Aang who was still angry just shouted "That's all any of you care about, yourselves! None of you care if Appa's ok or not!"

Dijin getting fed up with Aang's attitude said "Aang, you better watch what you say or-"

Aang turned around and got in Dijin's face saying "Or what?! What's gonna happen!"

Dijin just glared at him and said "Or your gonna start something you can't finish."

Aang just turned away from him and grabbed his glider saying "I'm going to look for Appa." Aang then took to the sky leaving the others behind while Katara shouted "Aang, wait!" but he was long gone.

Dijin just glared at Aang's retreating form while Katara sighed and said "We'd better start walking. We're the only ones who know about the solar eclipse. We have to get that information to Bang Sing Se."

Dijin looked at her curiously before he asked "What eclipse? What's going on?"

Sokka spoke up saying "We found out there's going to be a solar eclipse in a few months and Fire-benders have no power during it. It's going to be the perfect time to invade and take out the Fire Lord."

Both Dijin and Toph were surprised by this news while Katara said "Anyway, let's get going. Hopefully Aang will catch up with us later." Katara then started to walk into the desert followed by the others.

xxLine Breakxx

The group had been walking through the desert for a few hours and there seemed to be no end in sight.

Each of them was trying to cope with the heat but failing at it. Sokka went even as far as to use Momo as a hat.

As they walked Toph accidently bumped into Sokka making him stumble and say "Can't you watch where you're going?"

Toph just glared at him and growled out "No. I can't."

Sokka rubbed his neck awkwardly saying "Sorry."

Dijin walked up and bent down in front of Toph saying "Here, hop on my back."

Toph looked a little insulted saying "I can walk, Hot rocks."

Dijin just stayed kneeling down and replied "Yes, but you can't see very well in this sand and the last thing we need is for you to get bitten by a spider-scorpion or a sand-viper."

Toph still seemed upset but relented as she felt for Dijin's back and climbed on.

Once he stood back up Toph was happy he couldn't see her face since she had a huge blush across her face at feeling how muscular Dijin's back was.

The group continued to walk through the desert and after a little while, Toph spoke up saying "Hey, Katara. Can I have some water?"

Katara stopped walking and turned around while saying "O.k. but we've gotta try to conserve it." Katara grabbed her water-skin and bent out four small orbs of water which each of them swallowed."

Sokka swished the water around before swallowing and saying "Wait, we're drinking your bending water?" Sokka then gained a disgusted look as he shouted "You used this on the swamp guy!"

Toph smacked her lips saying "It does taste swampy."

Dijin smacked his lips as well saying "Yeah, no kidding."

Katara sighed saying "I sorry, but it's all we have."

Dijin just said "Don't apologize, Katara, anything helps in this situation."

Sokka spoke up next saying "We don't need swampy water, look over there!" he then ran over to a cactus and sliced the top half of it with his knife while drinking the contents that was inside it.

Katara ran over to her brother saying "Sokka, stop! You shouldn't drink from strange plants."

Dijin followed the two with Toph still on his back while Sokka replied to his sister saying "There's water trapped inside! You want some?" he then held out some cactus juice to her and the others.

Katara looked at the drink unsure saying "I don't know."

Sokka just shrugged his shoulders saying "Suit yourselves. It's very thirst-quenching though."

However, suddenly Sokka's eyes dilated before he started wobbling back and forth while talking in a zoned-out tone saying "Drink cactus juice. It'll quench you. Nothing' quencher. It's the quenchiest!"

Sokka then started to do the worm and flop around the ground while Katara took the drink away from him and dumped it out saying "Okay, that's enough of that."

After hearing and seeing Sokka act strange from the juice. Toph and Dijin both said "Can I try that cactus juice?"

Katara just growled in frustration at the two before saying "No, now come on guy's we gotta keep moving."

Sokka chose then to stare at Toph and Dijin while saying "When did Dijin grow a second head?"

Katara just sighed at her brother before grabbing his hand and dragging him along saying "No more cactus juice for you. Now, let's go."

Katara then led the group through the desert again while Sokka commented "When did we end up in the middle of the ocean?"

The group ignored Sokka's ramblings as they continued their trek never knowing when it would end.

However, when the group had made a decent amount of distance, they heard what sounded like a giant explosion a few miles away.

The group turned towards the sound and were greeted with the site of a giant mushroom cloud made out of sand that could be seen for miles around.

Dijin frowned and said "That has to be Aang."

Toph spoke up from Dijin's back saying "What has to be Twinkle Toes?"

Dijin answered her saying "There's a huge cloud of sand in the distance."

Katara spoke up next asking "How can you tell it's Aang?"

Dijin just looked at her saying "Who else has enough power to create something like that."

Katara nodded her head accepting the answer while Sokka stared at the mushroom cloud zoned out saying "It's a giant mushroom. Maybe it's friendly!"

Katara spoke again saying "let's get moving, hopefully we can meet up with Aang later."

She then started to lead the group again while hoping Aang was alright.

xxLine Breakxx

It wasn't until Sunset did Aang finally rejoin the group as he floated down and sat on the hot sand.

Katara happy to see him ok walked over to him and tried to comfort him saying "I'm sorry, Aang. I know it's hard for you right now, but we need to focus on getting out of here."

Katara tried to place a hand on his shoulder but he pulled away and while saying negatively "What's the difference? We won't survive without Appa. We all know it."

Dijin frowned at Aang's words while Katara was still trying to keep a positive attitude saying "Come on, Aang. We can do this if we work together. right, guys?"

She looked over at the others for support but Sokka was still coming down off the cactus juice, Toph was half conscious on Dijin's back, and Dijin looked like he might fall over at any time.

Katara quickly gained a determined gaze as she said "That's it! We're getting out of this desert, and we're gonna do it together. Aang get up and everyone hold hands."

Aang reluctantly got up and held Katara's hand while he held Sokka's and Sokka held Dijin's the group forming a line as they crossed the desert.

After walking for hours, it wasn't until the stars started to come out did Katara have the group stop and say "I think we should stop for the night."

After the words left her mouth the group instantly fell to the ground.

Dijin let Toph off his back as the two land down on the sand while Sokka laid spread eagle watching the stars. Aang just had angry frown as he stared at the desert sand from his own spot.

Toph suddenly sat up and asked Katara "Is there any more water?"

Katara grabbed her water-skin again and said "This is the last of it. Everyone can have a little drink."

As Katara got the water out a thirsty Momo jumped into the water making it fall onto the desert sand which made Sokka freak out saying "Momo, no, you've killed us all!"

he started to sob uncontrollably before Katara said "No, he hasn't" she then waved her hands upwards bending the water out of the sand.

Sokka saw this and said "Oh, right, bending."

Katara quickly gave everyone some water before she knelt next to her brother saying "Sokka, let me see the things you got from the library."

Sokka quickly sat up and grabbed his bag saying "What? I didn't steal anything! Who told you that?" he then pointed an accusing finger at Momo saying "It was you! You ratted me out."

Katara just frowned at her brother saying "Sokka, I was there."

she then grabbed the maps Sokka had and looked at them while Aang once again spoke negatively saying "It doesn't matter. None of that will tell us where Appa is."

Katara also getting sick of Aang's attitude frowned before saying "No, but we can find out which way Ba Sing Se is." she quickly looked at a star chart and said "We can use the stars to guide us. That way, we can travel at night when it's cooler, and during the day we can rest up." she then looked back at the others and saw they all had fallen asleep or laid down.

She sighed again before saying "Just get some rest guys. We'll start again in a few hours"

After that she laid down as well to try and get some rest with the others.

xxLine Breakxx

When about three hours went by Katara started waking everyone up saying "Come on, get up guys, we need to go."

Toph, Sokka, and Dijin sat up while Toph smacked her lips saying "Yesterday, my mouth tasted like mud. Now, it just tastes like sand. I never thought I would miss the taste of mud so much."

Katara noticed Aang hadn't gotten up so she went over to him to wake him up but he surprised her by speaking up saying "I'm awake. I couldn't sleep."

Katara looked at him sadly before saying "Well, we need to get moving if we want to get out of this sand pit."

Aang just looked up the sky depressed before his eyes brightened up thinking he saw Appa in the clouds as he shouted in excitement saying "Appa!"

Sadly however, after staring for a few seconds the group noticed it was just a small cloud with Katara saying "It's just a cloud, Aang." Suddenly though Katara's eyes widened in realization as she said "Wait, A cloud!" she grabbed her water skin and said "Aang, see if you can bend the water from that cloud into my pouch."

Aang just glared at her before snatching the water-skin rudely from her hand and taking off.

Dijin watched the whole display with a frown and a clenched fist as he was starting to get fed up with how Aang was treating the group.

Once Aang flew back down and handed Katara her water-skin she looked inside and said a little disappointed "Wow, there's hardly any in here."

Aang just rounded on her shouting "I'm sorry O.k.! It's a desert cloud, I did all I could! What's anyone else doing?" He then pointed at Katara shouting "What are you doing?!"

Katara just got a sad look but before she could say anything Dijin walked in front of her and shouted back at Aang saying "That's it, Aang! Apologize, now!"

Aang just glared at the Lava-bender saying "Apologize for what?"

Dijin just glared at the Air-bender saying "You can say what you want about me Aang, but I will not stand here and let you treat everyone else like Garbage, especially Katara who has done nothing but try and keep us all together."

Aang just frowned and said "I don't have to Apologize for anything. You got Appa stolen and now we're all going to die in this desert because you couldn't keep my friend safe!"

Dijin grit his teeth at Aang before he said coldly "Aang, either you apologize right now, or you take a stance. Because I'm not letting you get away with how you have treated us."

Aang just turned his back to Dijin saying "I'm not apologizing."

Dijin just clenched his fist before he glared at Aang saying "Then I'll make you." with that said Dijin slammed his foot into the sand creating a dust cloud.

Aang turned around to see what was happening before he was tackled by Dijin and the two went tumbling down a sand dune.

Katara ran after the two shouting "You guy's stop! This isn't the answer!"

Toph went to follow her but she struggled somewhat due to the sand making it hard for her to see and walk.

Back with Aang and Dijin the two came to stop at the bottom of a dune and they each got into a stance.

Aang attacked first using his staff to launch a wave of air at Dijin who dodge rolled to the right before stabbing his hand into the sand.

He then twisted his arm hardening the sand surrounding him before he rapidly shot his arm out of the ground sending hardened sand shards at Aang.

Aang slammed his fists together creating an Air-shield that blocked the attack while Dijin slammed his heel into the sand as he made an arc which hardened even more sand. Next, he stomped his foot creating a couple small boulders which he punched at Aang.

Aang just frowned at the attack and used his new Earth-bending skills to shatter the boulders by backhanding one before slicing the other one with his staff.

Dijin chose then to charge at Aang and the Air-bender swung his staff while sending another couple of waves at air at him before The Lava-bender did a power-slide avoiding the attack while slamming his hand into the sand near Aang's feet making him sink up to his arms.

Aang struggled to get free but since he was still a beginner Earth-bender he didn't have the skill to get himself out.

Dijin walked up to Aang now that he was incapacitated and said "Now, are you going to apologize?"

Aang just bared his teeth and shouted "No way! I don't have to apologize!"

Dijin frowned before walking up to Aang and backhanded him in his left cheek.

Aang just glared at Dijin while the Lava-bender said "Stop being a selfish brat and grow up!"

Dijin gained a solemn look and said "Yes Appa's gone. but that doesn't mean we turn on each other when we need to stay together the most."

Aang however, wasn't listening he was just getting angrier and angrier as Dijin's words kept echoing in his head saying "Appa is gone, Appa is gone, Appa is gone."

Aang lowered his head before the sky started to get darker and lightning began to flash across the sky as Aang said "It's your fault."

Aang then raised his head surprising Dijin because Aang's eyes and Tattoos were glowing showing he was in the Avatar State.

Aang spoke again only this time with all the Avatar's speaking with him as he said "IT'S YOUR FAULT HE'S GONE!"

Aang then burst out of his prison launching Dijin a few feet back before he righted himself and tried to retaliate but Aang was already in front of him as he swung his staff nailing Dijin in the stomach.

Dijin could only open his mouth in pain as spittle left his mouth and he was launched away again but not before tumbling across the sand.

Dijin got onto his hands and knees and spat out a little blood before a wall of hardened sand erupted behind him. Next, before he could react Aang got right in his face and grabbed him by the throat lifting him off the ground.

Dijin began to beat Aang's arm as hard as he could but while in the Avatar State it seemed Aang's strength was insurmountable.

Aang then slammed Dijin against the hardened sand wall before forming a spear of hardened sand with his free hand.

Next, Aang stabbed the spear through Dijin's right hand pinning it to the wall as he shouted in pain saying "Ahhhrrrrgggg." Aang then repeated the process with Dijin's other hand effectively pinning him to the wall.

After that, Aang let go of Dijin's neck letting him hang on the wall by his hands as he stepped back before forming another spear and aiming it at Dijin's chest.

Dijin saw what Aang was about to do and he thought "So, this is how I die." Dijin just closed his eyes and waited for the attack while thinking "I can think of worse deaths."

However, before Aang could deliver the final blow Katara suddenly showed up and hugged Aang from behind shouting "Aang, stop this! Don't you realize what you're doing? Dijin is your friend!" she intensified the hug while shouting "I understand your upset but don't let that change who you are!"

Aang seemed to ignore her and prepped his spear again but Katara tried one last thing as she shouted "Please, Aang. Don't become a murderer!"

Then it was as if those words rung out in Aang's mind as his eyes and tattoos began to turn back to normal while he fell to his knees.

Once she knew Aang was back to normal Katara quickly went over to Dijin to try and get him down while Toph showed up shouting "Katara, what happened? Can I help?"

Katara shouted back at her saying "Yeah, come over here. I need your help getting Dijin down."

Toph followed where Katara's voice was at and found her trying to take Sand-spears out of Dijin's hands.

The two worked together and got the Lava-bender down before Katara ran to Sokka's bag to try and find something to bandage Dijin's hands.

Toph stayed with the Lava-bender and held him upright and as she held him, she ran her hands along his own feeling how deep his wounds were and she was horrified at what she felt.

Toph then spoke up saying "Twinkle toes, did this to you?"

Dijin just weakly looked at her saying "Yeah, but I never expected Aang to go into the Avatar State."

Suddenly Aang spoke up saying "Dijin? What happened to you?"

Toph instantly glared at Aang's direction as some unknown feeling came to the surface at seeing Dijin in such a state so she shouted "You did this to him, Twinkle Toes!"

Aang looked shocked at that especially with how hurt Dijin was so he said "But I-"

Toph cut him off shouting "I don't wanna hear it! Dijin was just calling you out on your bullshit and you tried to kill him for it!"

Aang again was stunned as he looked at Dijin while Katara showed up and started to wrap Dijin's hands with some rags.

Aang looked at the Water-bender and asked "Katara, did I really try to Kill Dijin?"

Katara just looked away from Aang unable to answer but it was all the confirmation Aang needed.

Aang took a step forward saying "I'm so-

Toph cut him off again shouting "Save it! No one wants to hear you bullshit apology now! And if you ever pull something like this again you can find yourself a new Earth-bending teacher, you got it?"

Aang just nodded his head not that Toph could see it as she held Dijin still so Katara could work on him.

As Katara worked Toph thought to herself "Why did I get so mad at Twinkle Toes? Sure, what he did was fucked up but I was really mad that he did it to Dijin of all people. What is going on with me?"

Once Katara finished helping Dijin she said "Ok, that should stem the bleeding but the sooner I can get some water the better." She looked back at the map she had and said "We need to head this direction." as she started to lead the group again.

Toph grabbed Dijin's arm and put it around her shoulder to help him stand but he tried to stop her saying "You don't have to carry me, Toph."

Toph just turned her head at him saying "Hey, you carried me. The least I can do is return the favor."

Dijin smiled at her before saying "If you insist."

The two started following the others but as soon as the two started walking Toph's foot hit something in the sand causing the two to fall over with Toph shouting "Ow! Fucking A, I'm so sick of not being to feel where I'm going! And what Idiot buries a boat in the middle of the desert?"

Katara looked at Toph curiously before saying "A boat?"

Toph was rubbing her foot while Dijin sat up with her saying "Believe me, I kicked it hard enough to feel plenty of vibrations."

Katara knelt down and inspected the small object Toph tripped on before Aang walked up and said "Stand back."

He then reeled his staff back before launching a huge gust air that cleared the sand away revealing one of the Sand-benders sand boats.

Katara climbed onto the vehicle saying "It's one of the gliders the Sand-benders use." She then pointed at a device on the sand-glider saying "And look, it has a compass on it. I bet it can point us out of here." She looked at Aang saying "Aang, you can bend a breeze so we can sail it. We're gonna make it!"

The group quickly climbed on the vehicle while Aang got in position to start bending a breeze and Katara stood by the compass to navigate.

Once everyone was in position Aang thrusted his hands forward sending a wave of Air at the sail making the Sand-Glider move forward at a fast pace.

After traveling for a little bit Katara spoke up saying "The compass doesn't seem to be pointing North, according to my charts."

Sokka spoke up then still coming down off the cactus juice saying "Calm down, little lady. I'm sure the sand folks who built this baby know how to get around here."

Katara just glared at her intoxicated brother before she saw a huge plateau in front of them.

She pointed at the structure as she said "That's what the compass is pointing to. That giant rocky plateau. It must be the magnetic center of the desert."

Toph got excited at hearing they were heading to somewhere with solid ground saying "Yes, let's go!"

Katara also got excited saying "Maybe we can find some water there."

Aang just had an angry frown as he said "Maybe we can find some sand-benders too."

xxLine Breakxx

It wasn't until early morning did the Gaang reach the plateau and climbed up to the top.

Once the Gaang got there Toph instantly fell on her back saying "Ah, finally. Solid ground." she then stared to make an Earth-Angel out of the rock while the others looked around.

After Toph finished making her Earth-angel, the group made their way inside a cave entrance that was near them.

As the group went inside, they noticed the cave was filled with some yellow substance while Sokka spoke up saying "I think my head is starting to clear out the cactus juice. And look!" Sokka then grabbed a handful of the yellow goop and ate it.

Almost immediately Sokka spit out the substance saying "Pth, uh, ugh! It tastes like rotten penguin meat." Sokka held his stomach in pain as he said "Oh, I feel woozy."

Katara marched up to her brother with a pissed off look saying "You've been hallucinating on cactus juice all day, and then you just lick something you find stuck on the wall of a cave!?"

Sokka just crossed his arms and said "I have a natural curiosity."

Dijin looked at the yellow substance and spoke up saying "I don't actually think this is a normal cave." He then ran a hand against the cave wall saying "It seems like it was carved by something."

Aang looked around and said "Yeah, look at the shape."

Toph spoke up next saying "Guys, there's something buzzing in here. Something that's coming toward us!"

The group quickly ran out of the cave and just as they exited a swarm of Wasp-Buzzards came speeding out of the cave.

The creatures were large in size being about as big as a cow, they had heads that looked like a birds with sharp beaks, they had wings that were about 4 feet long, and their whole body resembled a wasp.

The animals surrounded the group getting ready to attack but Aang acted first by using his staff to send a current of Air at a couple of the creatures sending them to the ground.

One of the Bird-insects landed near Toph but due to her being on solid ground she could see the creature and she quickly raised her left forearm creating an Earth-pillar that launched the creature away.

Out of instinct Toph raised both her hands creating a large boulder which she launched in the air.

However, due to the creatures flying ability she couldn't see where they all were making her miss her target and almost hit Sokka.

Sokka glared at the boulder and shouted at the blind girl saying "What are you doing? That rock almost crushed me!"

Toph just yelled back at him saying "Sorry, I can't tell where they are in the air."

Just then a Wasp-Buzzard was about to attack Toph but Dijin got in front of her and stomped his right foot creating a boulder. He then did a round house kick since his hands were to injured to use as he launched the boulder at the creature sending it down below into the desert sand.

Dijin glanced at Toph saying "I'll handle the ones in the air you just take care of the one's you can see."

Toph nodded her head saying "Got it."

Katara seeing their situation was getting dire said "We need to get out of here. I'm completely out of water to bend."

Suddenly a Wasp-Buzzard grabbed Momo with the Lemur-bat shrieking in terror.

Aang saw this and glared at the creature while shouting "Momo, No! I'm not losing anyone else out here." Aang quickly opened his glider and took off after Momo while the rest of the group made their way down the plateau.

As the group made their way down some of the creatures tried to attack them but Dijin acted quickly and stomped his foot twice creating two boulders before he did two rotating sidekicks sending the boulder at the flying beasts knocking them to the ground.

The group quickly made their way to the bottom of the plateau where Aang met up with them along with Momo.

Sadly, the group became surrounded by the swarm and it seemed there was no way out before suddenly the desert sand erupted in a huge wave scaring off the beasts leaving the Gaang to wonder what happened.

They didn't have to wonder long because they were soon surrounded by Sand-benders.

Aang and the others instantly got into battle stances after seeing the benders while one of them walked forward who appeared to be the leader saying "What are you doing in our land with a Sand-Bender Sailer? From the looks of it, you stole it from the Hami Tribe."

Katara relaxed and spoke up saying "We found the Sailer abandoned in the desert. We are traveling with the Avatar. Our Sky Bison was stolen, and we have to get to Ba Sing Se."

One of the Sand-benders stepped forward who looked younger than the leader and shouted "You dare accuse our people of theft, while you ride in on a stolen Sand-Sailer?"

The leader of the sand-benders glared at the younger man saying "Quiet, Ghashiun! No one accused our people of anything. If what they say is true, then we must give them our hospitality."

The younger man stepped down and said "Sorry, Father."

Dijin's and Toph's eyes widened however, at hearing the son's voice recognizing it as the same one who stole Appa.

Toph walked up to Aang and whispered "I recognize the son's voice. He's the guy who stole Appa."

Aang looked at the blind girl and asked "Are you sure?"

Toph replied with absolute assuredness saying "I never forget a voice. He stole Appa."

Aang glared at the younger man and walked forward with his staff raised and shouted "You stole Appa! Where is he!? What did you do to him?"

The younger man tried to defend himself saying "They're lying. They're the thieves!"

Aang just swung his staff sending a huge current of Air at the sand-benders which destroyed half of their Sailers.

Aang glared at the young Sand-bender and shouted "Where is my Bison? You tell me where he is, now!"

After witnessing Aang's power the leader glared at his son saying "What did you do?"

Again, the younger man tried to deny the accusation saying "It wasn't me."

Dijin stepped forward and shouted at the youth saying "You said to put a Muzzle on Appa, you Bastard!"

Aang glared at the youth shouting "You muzzled Appa!" and that was the final straw for Aang as his anger took over and he entered the Avatar State again.

After seeing Aang transform the youth got scared as Aang swung his staff at him sending an Air-blade that would have killed him if he hadn't dodged at the last second.

The youth now realizing how big of mistake he made tried reasoning with Aang shouting "I'm sorry! I didn't know the Bison belonged to the Avatar."

Aang immediately got in the youth's face and grabbed him by the throat and created a dome of air around them making the two float in the air as he shouted "TELL ME WHERE APPA IS!"

The youth struggled to breath but he was able to rasp out "I traded him to some merchants... He's probably in Ba Sing Se now." The youth then looked at Aang pleadingly saying "We can lead you out of the desert... Please, just spare me!"

Aang just increased his grip on the youth's throat making him unable to breath entirely.

However, just before the thief lost consciousness Katara grabbed Aang by his other hand and pulled him down into a hug.

Aang resisted at first but soon he released his grip on the sand-bender making him fall to the ground and gasp for air.

Meanwhile Katara just held Aang in a caring embrace as he calmed down and the Avatar State receded.

Once Aang was calm Dijin walked forward to face the leader and said "You're the chief of your tribe, correct?"

The leader nodded his head saying "Yes, I am."

Dijin then looked at Ghashiun and said "Your son has stolen from the Avatar and by the looks of things it is not the first time he has robbed people. If you do not punish this scum for what he has done then I will do it personally wither you allow me to or not."

The leader looked at his son in shame before looking back at Dijin saying "You are right. My son has done you a great dishonor and we cannot allow that." The leader then walked over to his son who was still on the ground and said "Ghashiun, you are hereby banished from our tribe and must live a life of exile." he then glared at his son and said "furthermore, if any other tribe chooses to help you, they shall meet the same fate."

Ghashiun looked at father completely stunned as he said "But Father, I won't survive on my own!"

Ghashiun's father just looked away from him as he said "You sealed your fate when you stole the Avatar's Bison."

The older man just walked away from his son as spoke to his tribe saying "Sand-benders, we shall escort the Avatar and his friends out of the desert and we shall leave this traitor behind."

The Sand-benders obeyed their leader by leading the Gaang onto their remaining Sand-Sailers and taking off while leaving a shocked and broken Ghashiun behind.

However, as soon as everyone was gone the Wasp-Buzzards returned and surrounded Ghashiun making him panic and shout "Stay back! Leave me alone!" he then tried to attack the creatures by throwing some sand at them but they simply avoided the attack and moved in closer.

As the creatures closed in, Ghashiun could only throw his arms up screaming "NO, NO. STAY AWAY! NOOOOOOOO!"

The last thing that could be seen after that was a swarm of Wasp-Buzzards feasting on their new prey.