For Flame and Redemption
By PurpleReignonHorses
This is a rewrite of my original ATLA story. It fixes up some plotholes and properly realigns Kuzon and Aang's personalities.
Update: Another rewrite! Bear with me y'all!
STORY LEGEND:
BOLD AND UNDERLINES- SCENE CHANGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dialogue: "Dialogue"
Actions
Characters thoughts: Italics
Book 0: Awakening
Chapter I: Flame in the Nation
Part I :New Beginnings
Southern Air Temple, Entrance
15 BG
Monk Gyatso and some of his fellow monks were busy taking a stroll around the temple grounds.
Monk Ashi was busy cracking a few jokes at Monk Pasang's expense. In particular, the long-bearded man was pointing out how bushy the young monk's eyebrows were.
Monk Pasang. let out a hearty laugh. Ashi sure has a good sense of comedy. I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts!
Air Nomads were renowned all throughout the world for their philosophy and way of life. Their spiritual nature, dedication to vegetarian diets, and staunch stance on non-violence made them quite the anomaly amongst the other four nations. They didn't even have a standing army or navy. Not that the Air Nation needed one. The Air Nomads lived in mountainous temples that were only reachable by either an air bison or gilder. As far it was known, none of the other three nations had invented any sort of transportation systems that could possibly lead them to the Temples. Furthermore, the Air Nomads pretty much kept to themselves. They didn't bother themselves with worldy matters. The story of their people was not one of war or conflict like the Fire Nation or the Water Tribes. They were a peaceful people who treasured their connection with the Spirit World and the calm, serene lives they lived with one another.
As the four monks were on their walk, Monk Gyatso noticed a group of people in their path. The group consisted of one woman, two men and a young boy. They were all dressed in clothes with varying hues of red. They seemed to be unconscious. The clothes themselves were also dirty and ripped up. The young monk's eyes widened in horror. The other three monks also had looks of shock on their faces.
Gyatso said in an alerted tone, "Quick! Those people are badly hurt! We must grant them sanctuary in the Temple!" The other monks gave him an affirmative nod.
Temple Grounds, Southern Air Temple
15 BG
Three days later
Lin Sho was tossing around in his sleep. No! No! I have to get Kuzon out of the palace city!
Monk Gyatso noticed this and gently put his hands on the man's shoulders. "Don't worry! You can wake up now. You and your friends are safe now!"
Lin began to slowly open his eyes and noticed the young, bald man in front of him. He took note of Gyatso's Air Nation robes and his eyes widened in surprise. Is that an Air Nomad? I always heard of rumours that they existed. But I never truly believed it. He then straightened himself out of bed and let out a groan in pain. My head is killing me. How long was I out? The need to rehydrate himself suddenly came to the young man.
Monk Gyatso then took the wooden pitcher near him and poured banana-onion tea into a wooden cup. He then slowly outstretched the cup towards Lin. "Please drink this young man. It'll help you regain your strength."
Lin then eagerly took the cup from the monk's hands. "Thank you." His voice was a little raspy. He quickly downed the banana-onion juice. The sensation of the juice immediately woke the man up. He immediately began a coughing fit.
Monk Gyatso gave the raven-haired man a pained smile. I forget that outsiders are not used to our traditional meals and drinks. Gyatso said in a gingerly gentle tone, "Are you alright?"
Lin managed to get his breath and spoke in a calm tone, "Yeah I'm fine." He then raised an eyebrow at the mustached monk. "Who are you?"
Monk Gyatso gave the man a bow. "My sincerest apologies. I am Gyatso of the Air Nation. I am a monk of the Southern Air Temple."
Lin suddenly felt the air leave his lungs. "You're a Nomad? I never imagined I would ever get to meet one of your kind."
Gyatso gave the man an understanding nod. "That I am." Then, Ling began thinking of his wife and child. Ling? Kuzon? Where are they? He then sputtered out, "I was traveling with my father-in-law, wife and child. Where are they? Please tell me they are safe!"
Monk Gyatso gave the raven-haired man a warm smile. "Don't worry young man. Your father-in-law, wife and child are safe and sound in our care. They are all right beside you in fact."
Lin then looked to his right. Ling, Mokabi and his son Kuzon were all lying in beds beside him. The amber-eyed man then let out a sigh of relief. Thank the spirits they are safe. I was so worried! He then turned his head towards Gyatso and gave the man a grateful nod. He hung his head in respect to the airbender. "Thank you for saving my family and I! I am in your debt."
Monk Gyatso raised up a hand and closed his eyes with a smile. "Think nothing of it young man." He then raised an eyebrow in confusion at the man and crossed his arms curiously. "Your clothes are of a foreign design. I can tell you aren't an Air Nomad. Where are you from outsider?"
Lin then flashed a small smile at the man. "My name is Lin Sho. My family and I are from the Fire Nation."
Monk Gyatso nodded at the man with two fingers under his chin. "I see. You are a long way from home Lin. The Fire Nation is far away from here. What brings you to the Temple?"
Lin suddenly felt his breathing become a bit ragged. He wiped the sweat from his brow. The monk was kind enough to grant us shelter. I need to explain things. He then looked up at Lin with fearful eyes and a forlorn look on his face. "The Fire Lord is going to start a world war against the other four nations. He wants the entire world under the boot of the Fire Nation."
Gyatso felt his jaw drop. "You are sure of this?"
Lin gave the man a nod. "He announced it to all Fire Nationals in his Royal Address. War is coming."
Gyatso let out a deep breath in order to calm himself down. This is not good. I need to inform the Council of Elders of this development immediately. He then spoke carefully, "And what does this have to do with your son?"
Lin replied with a resigned tone, "My son is the reincarnation of the Avatar. He is the only one who has the power to stop the Fire Lord and his ambitions. His mother and I tried to keep his existence a secret, but we were found out. We fled the Fire Nation along with my father-in-law. I don't know how we got here. We just ran for as long as we could."
Gyatso let out a sad sigh. "I understand." He then put a hand on the man's shoulder. "If you would excuse me for a moment, I need to report this to the Council of Elders." He then quickly made his way to the Council Chambers.
Council Chambers, Southern Air Temple
15 BG
Two days later
As soon as Gyatso reported the news to the Council of Elders, it was decided that the entire Council would meet with the Sho family to get the full story. Kuzon, Lin, Ling and Mokabi all stood sitting across from Monk Gyatso and the rest of the Elders. Lin and Ling had just gotten done explaining the entire situation to the Council.
Lin spoke in a startled tone, "We knew he was the Avatar when he cried one day. The ground shook and gusts of air whipped around us."
Monk Pasang shook his head sadly. "So war is indeed coming to the world. How troubling!"
Monk Ashi spoke in a saddened tone, "And the next Avatar is standing before us now a refugee and enemy of his own home.."
Ling then got on her knees and spoke in a pleading voice. "Please you must let us stay with you! He isn't safe with us!" Tears were rolling down her face.
Monk Gyatso raised up a hand in order to calm the woman. "At ease Ling. We will shelter all of you for as long as we can. He may not be one of us, but it is important that he is protected from harm at all costs."
The other monks all nodded in unison.
The woman's face immediately brightened up. She then got up off her knees and gave the Elders a slow and respectful bow. She felt like a weight had just been lifted off her chest. She placed a hand on her heart. "Thank you! You have our sincerest gratitude."
Gyatso gave her a small smile. "Of course."
Monk Ashi then spoke up in a concerned tone, "If the Avatar remains here, then this temple has a chance of being attacked. We must prepare our people for war."
Gyatso then turned towards the man. "I agree. We must prepare for the worst. Send word to the other temples and tell them to start construction of a Hidden Temple immediately."
Monk Ashi nodded at the man and stood up. He walked out of the council room.
Two-year-old Kuzon had a look of absolute fear on his face. "What's going on?"
Lin and Ling Sho both turned to their son and put a hand on each of his shoulders. They both looked at him with sad smiles on her face. His mother spoke with a calm and gentle tone. "It means we are safe here. Don't worry!"
Lin put a hand on his son's head and ruffled his hair. "Everything is ok now! We're home! You can take a breath son!" The young boy smiled at his parents. "Ok!" Mokabi crossed his arms and grinned at his grandson. "We'll protect you!"