Book Two: Earth

Chapter I: The Arrival of the Airbenders

Part I: A Premonition

Somewhere near Haku Village

The gang were at their camp. They had been flying for four days straight and had been taking turns on Appa's reins but had finally decided to rest.

Aang let out a sigh. "Whew flying for three days really takes a lot of energy." He looked down at Appa apologetically. "You okay down there boy?"

The air bison let out a roar of exhaustion.

Kuzon then walked off into the forest in some kind of trance. His eyes were glowing white.

Aang patted the bison's head.. "Good boy. We'll rest here for now." Katara let out a yawn and met Aang's eyes. "Whew how long have we been flying?" Aang let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes. "About four days. Kuzon and I have been switching shifts. There were dark circles under his eyes. "I haven't really been sleeping as of late. I've been flying Appa during the night shifts."

Katara then caressed his face with a hand and frowned. "Oh Aang! You should really get some rest." She then noticed something. "Wait where is Kuzon?"

Aang looked around as well. There seemed to be no sign of the firebender. "I..don't know. He was up with me this morning."

Katara suddenly got a frightened expression on her face. Her heart stopped for a moment." Where did he go? It isn't like him to just disappear on us. Something bad has happened. A bit of trepidation gripped her heart in fear.

Sokka then piped up. "Hey has anyone seen the flamehead? I was looking around for him."

Katara turned toward her brother. "No. I haven't. Aang and I are looking for him as well."

Sokka nodded and looked at Aang. "You seen him?"

Aang nodded and pointed towards the forest. Katara then rushed in the forest. Don't worry. I'm coming sweetie. The others followed behind her.

SCENE CHANGE-The forest outside of Haku Village

It was as if he were in a trance of some kind. He came to a quiet spot in the nearby forest. The boy then fell to his knees.

Avatar Suzin, Avatar Yangchen and Avatar Kyoshi then appeared in front of him. smiled at him. "Ah you came. Welcome Kuzon."

The boy's eyes then reverted to their original state. He then let out a gasp for air, fell to his knees, and looked all around him. "What is going on?"

Avatar Suzin smiled at him. "We have all come to give you a message."

Kuzon gulped nervously. Damn. It must be serious if all of my past lives are here.. He then got up off his knee and nodded. "I am ready for your guidance."

Katara and the others then finally caught up with him. "Kuzu! There you are! I was so worried!"

The girl then hugged him with tears in her eyes. She was shaking. Suzin smirked playfully at the young couple. So water and earth aren't the only things that mix. I'm glad to see him happy.

Kyoshi chuckled. "Well well. I see some things never change."

Suzin turned to her and nodded. "Indeed."

Kuzon gently hugged her back. "I'm alright my sweet wave. I was brought here by my predecessors. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Suzin then frowned. "I'm afraid he is right Katara. I brought him here by calling to his spirit. I apologize. It was the only way I could communicate the urgency of my message to him."

Katara then turned to the Avatar spirit with a glare. She huffed. "It's..fine. I suppose that is a good reason to disappear. Just please let me know next time."

Avatar Suzin smiled ruefully at the waterbender. "Of course."

Katara then kissed Kuzon on the cheek, rested her head on his chest and hugged him for dear life. He held on to her as well.

Avatar Yangchen then smiled warmly at the firebender. She then floated down to him. "It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance Avatar Kuzon. The Spirit World has been abuzz with your recent heroics."

Aang then realized who she was. "Avatar Yangchen!"

Yangchen then turned to Aang. The airbender's eyes widened for a moment. "You must be Aang. The Avatar's airbending master."

Aang then bowed. "I am. It is such an honor to meet you."

Yangchen nodded. "You as well. It is good to see our people still alive and thriving. When I heard of the Genocide...I felt my heart sink. So much death."

Aang only nodded sadly. "Indeed. I don't know if there are any more of us left."

Kuzon eyed the airbending Avatar curiously. "Who are you? I see that you are dressed in an Air Nation sari but I don't think we ever met back at the temples."

Yangchen just smiled warmly at him and giggled at the boy's lack of knowledge of his predecessors. "My name is Yangchen. I was born in the Air Temples a long time before you were ever born. I am one of the few airbenders to ever be chosen as the Avatar."

Kuzon then bowed honorably. "I see. It is a true honor to meet you Avatar Yangchen. "Why are you here? It must be something important.

Yangchen nodded. "The descendants of our people...the Nomads. They've been hiding in secret here in the Earth Kingdom ever since Sozin attempted the Genocide."

Aang spoke with a level of jubilation in his tone that surprised everyone. "My people are...alive!" He felt like his entire spirit was going to jump out of his body. He could feel himself visibly shaking. "That is wonderful!"

Kuzon cautioned. "Aang...it's been a hundred years since you've seen them. They may not be as you or I remember them. Look at how the war changed the two of us. I'd dial back my excitement if I were you."

Aang let out a laugh. He then shook his head. "Kuzon..you know you can be so pessimistic sometimes. You could afford to smile if you tried you know."

Kuzon just shrugged. "Part of my Fire Nation heritage I guess."

Yangchen then turned to Aang and sadly sighed. "Your friend is right to be cautious Aang. I'm afraid my news isn't as positive as I would like it to be. The descendants of our people..the Nomads..have been kidnapped. Apparently, they were on the run from Fire Nation hunters who locked them up in chains. They are being held in a prison near Haku Village. That is the village you are bordering at this very moment."

Aang's gaze hardened for a moment. He looked at the others. "Then we must not waste any time!"

Kuzon crossed his arms. "My thoughts exactly." Everyone stood to think of a plan."

Avatar Suzin smiled at all three of them. "I will leave the rest of this matter to you three."

The waterbending Avatar and her compatriots then dissipated into the wind.

Kuzon sighed in frustration. "We can't just go around asking questions. The Fire Nation probably has spies nearby."

Aang then spoke up. "It's simple. Let me go in as bait. I will lead the Fire soldiers on a wild goose chase and allow myself to get kidnapped. You two ambush some of them from behind and follow me to the prison. We bust everyone out and all will be well."

Kuzon sighed. "Are you sure about that Aang? That is a risky plan. I don't think they are going to feel too merciful towards you."

Aang then put a hand on his shoulder and half-grinned. "Kuzon. Don't worry. I will be just fine. Besides. This is my people we are talking about brother. I'm not allowing them to rot in Fire Nation chains." Aang said that last bit with pure determination in his eyes.

Kuzon just warily nodded. "It's a crazy plan but it just might work. I don't like putting you at risk but we can't lose the airbenders. That will throw the world off-balance. We can't have that." He then turned to Sokka. "Do you have any other ideas? You are the idea guy of our group."

Sokka tapped his chin. "Nope. Aang came up with a surprisingly good plan."

Aang glanced at him and half-grinned at him. "Thanks Sokka. I appreciate the support."

Sokka just nodded. "No problem kid."

Katara then put a hand on the airbender's shoulder. There was a determined look in her eyes. "I promise you we will all be right behind you."

Aang nodded with a smile. "I know. Thank you."

Haku Village, Earth Kingdom

About an hour later.

Aang looked around the corner. That was where he spotted the group of Fire soldiers. He turned back to the rest of the group and whispered. "Okay. Time for the diversion."

Kuzon gave him a nod. "I'll be right behind you brother. Just follow the plan we put together."

Sokka then half-grinned at the airbender and put a hand on his shoulder. "We've got your back airhead."

Aang nodded. "Yeah..thanks."

Katara then smirked at him. "Go get them Aang."

Aang then leapt out in full view of the firebenders.

The Fire soldiers glanced at him for a moment. "An airbender! Apprehend him!" They immediately surrounded the airbender.

Aang grinned at them. "Hello boys! Looking for me?" Aang then summoned all the air to his legs and began running as fast as he could.

Somewhere outside of Haku Village

Once he had managed to lead them out of the village, Aang surrendered himself. The firebenders quickly surrounded him and locked him up in chains. The lead one looked down on him with a smug look on his face. "Well well. It looks like we've found another one." He then took note of Aang's tattoos and robes. "You aren't..dressed like the others. You have tattoos and wear old robes. How peculiar." He then turned to the soldiers. "Lock this one up with the rest." The two men then hauled Aang and threw him in the back of the carriage.

At the back of the caravan

The two soldiers at the end of the formation were attacked by the gang. They were subdued quickly.

Kuzon jumped on one of the kimono rhinos. "Alright we must follow slowly from behind so none of them see us."

Katara, who had jumped on her own, glanced at him curiously. "What are these animals? They don't seem to be native to the Water Tribes."

Kuzon turned to her. "These are kimono rhinos. They are an animal species native to the Fire Nation. My guess is that the Fire Army has been using them as transportation for a while now." He then offered a hand. "Just take my hand and hold on tight." \

Katara nodded, jumped on, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Sokka jumped on the other. "Seems simple enough. Pull back lightly on the reins and let the beast guide you."

Kuzon pulled at the reins. "You are correct." The kimono rhino let out a roar and then began following the rest of the formation.

Prison 42, near Haku Village, Earth Kingdom

As Aang woke up, he found himself chained to a metal pole of some kind. The airbender took a look around. That was when he saw them. There were airbenders in the room with him. Some of them were wearing airbending tattoos. They look like they hadn't eaten or slept in days. He could literally see their ribs through their skin. Aang thought to himself. I need to get out of here. He then took in a deep breath and tried to make a jump for it. He got far and stretched the chain but only managed to leap a small distance until the chains latched onto his body. They retracted and sent him back into the metal pole hard. The boy's back hit the pole hard. "Damn it! That hurt!"

A lone firebender then stood over him. "Hello airbender. I'm so glad you could finally join us."

Aang squinted his eyes to look at the man. "Who...are you?"

The bearded man then grinned to him. "My name is Commandant Tiezen. I'm the one who runs this fair prison."

Aang's eyes widened at the man. "You mean you are the one imprisoning all these airbenders?"

The man evily nodded at him. "That is right."

The bearded man then walked around him. "I wouldn't suggest trying to get out of those chains by the way. They were specially made for your kind. They have a locking mechanism that keeps them tight and retracts any attempts at an airbending escape."

Aang let out a frustrated sigh. "I guess that's why I can't airbend out of them."

Commandant Tiezen grinned madly at him. "That's right. You aren't going anywhere. The Fire Lord will want to see your execution done...personally."

The man then walked off. Aang turned to his countrymen and glared at the firebender. The boy, usually calm and controlled, felt the anger and rage come over him. "You will pay for this! For all of this!"

Commandant Tiezen then chuckled. "Save your breath monk. You will need it!"

Book Two: Earth

Chapter I: The Arrival of the Airbenders

Part II: The Breakout

Somewhere near the prison, about a day later.

Kuzon, Katara and Sokka managed to sneak their way into the prison without the guards watching.

Kuzon glanced from around the cart.

Two guards passed him. "Okay. Katara...I'm going to need a distraction."

Katara smirked at him. "You got it sweetie. One distraction coming up." She then ran out and formed a huge wave from under her and rode it over the wall guarding the prison. This immediately got the attention of the men guarding the base. "Enemy attack!" They raised their weapons to defend themselves but only managed to get washed over into the nearby river.

Katara managed to land back on her feet.

Sokka then ran in and threw his boomerang with great precision. It knocked out two soldiers out cold.

Kuzon just fireleaped over the wall and knocked out the other firebender with a fire kick. He glanced at Katara and nodded. "Nice job sweetie. You washed them clear into the river."

The waterbender smirked at him and then kissed him on the cheek. "Aww why thank you! They don't call me the Mistress of the Waves for nothing."

Sokka rolled his eyes. "Wow how egotistical."

Katara glanced back on him and scoffed. "You're one to talk Mr. Boomerang Man."

Kuzon let out a groan. "Would you two focus? We need to get Aang out of here."

Katara laughed nervously. "Right."

Commandant Tiezen then faced the three of them. "So the Flame of Redemption finally graces us with his presence."

Kuzon darkly chuckled. "You know..I kind of like that name."

Commandant Tiezen then glared at him. "Do you have any idea how many lives were sacrificed in the Battle of Agna Qel'a. Some of those men and women had sons. Some of them had daughters living at home in the palace city." Kuzon's expression didn't change. "I'm supposed to care why? They eagerly joined the battle and swore themselves to battle for the sake of a dying empire. They drew their line in the sand."

Tiezen shot back. "You are of the Fire Nation! You have a duty to your people!"

Kuzon narrowed his eyes at the man. "My people? No. I have a duty to my family. The ones the Fire Lord's great-grandfather put in the grave. My duty is to burn your entire empire down to the ground and rebuild anew. I intend to do that. My name is Kuzon Lin Sho and I am the Flame of Redemption!" He then turned to Katara and Sokka. "You guys get Aang. I'll take care of this guy."

The siblings gave the firebender an eager nod. Sokka grinned at him. "Kick his ass for me." They then ran towards the prison entrance.

Commandant Tiezen called out after them. "Come back here!" He then glared at Kuzon. "You will pay for your treachery boy." He then sent a fire kick Kuzon's way.

Kuzon easily dodged it.

Kuzon then performed a fire trip and tripped the man.

Tiezen managed to regain his balance. He then spun around and sent a fire jet Kuzon's way.

Kuzon set up a firewall to counteract it.

The two then battled using fire fists.

Neither wanted to give into their opponent.

The battle continued until Kuzon felt he was on the losing end. He sent off a fire kick that burned with so much intensity it burned off part of Tiezen's cloth outfit and some of the skin on his arms.

The man had to defend himself by shielding himself with his arms. The skin on his arms was singled and smoking. "Damn that burns! You'll pay with your life." He then charged madly at Kuzon with fire daggers out.

Kuzon looked around frantically. There's got to be something I can do to beat him. He then noticed the water in a nearby pond. Perfect! That pond will do just fine. He then bended the water from the pond. "I think you need to cool off." He bended the water around the man's body and breathed out. This froze the water into solid ice.

Tienzen tried desperately to struggle out of the confines. "I..I'm so cold. I can't move."

Kuzon just glared at him. "That's because you are in an ice prison. You won't burn out of that for a while. In fact..you won't live to see another day."

Fueled by his rage, the firebender was about to burn the man alive but was then stopped when he saw a small letter poking out of one of the man's pockets. Kuzon glanced at it curiously. "What is that?" He then took the letter out of the man's pocket and unfolded it. The boy's eyes gasped in shock. This is a letter addressed to a girl that he loved. Possibly one from a long time ago. It says..he did not want to fight this war at all. He was...forcefully drafted into the Fire Army at the age of 16 and forced to leave his own family. This man is just..a cog in the Fire Nation's machine. Killing him wouldn't solve a damn thing. Kuzon then stared down at his hands. I can't kill his man. I won't.

Commandant Tiezen then turned up to glare at the Avatar. "What are you waiting for? Finish the job! You know our motto! Honor or death!"

Kuzon then turned to him with a glare with equal menace. He then grit his teeth. "As..despicable as you are…I cannot kill you. Your death wouldn't solve a damn thing. I'd just be adding to the circle of chaos and war. I may be Fire Nation but I am..also a child of the air. I learned from the Nomads that violence wasn't always the only option to bring peace to the world. I will not dishonor my family name with your blood on my hands.

Commandant Tiezen was outraged by the boy's words. The cold was setting in. "C..Coward! Traitor! You..you will pay for your mercy! I swear on it! You will.. The man's words were stuck in his mouth as Katara had basically froze his mouth shut. She then scowled at the older man. "Hey. Be grateful that my boyfriend found it in his heart to spare your life. I wouldn't grant you such mercy."

The commandant then growled at her. "Damn you snow peasant. Damn…"

Kuzon, overcome by emotion, couldn't take anymore. He kicked the man hard in the side of the head. The man then fell silent.

Aang was floored. He, along with Katara and Sokka, had been watching the Avatar from afar. The airbender had expected his old friend to give into his inner rage. Instead, Kuzon spared the man's life. Aang's heart swelled with pride. "You did it! I knew you had it in you! Gyatso did too! I'm proud of you brother! You have finally found the balance you needed to save the world! Where there is darkness..there is light. Where there is anger and rage…there is peace and serenity."

Kuzon just shook his head, wiped the tears from his eyes and waved his friend off. "Please..Aang. Let's just go."

The boy was troubled by this new revelation. How many more of these men were corralled or threatened into serving Ozai and his family? What the hell am I doing? What is my purpose?

Katara glanced at him with a worried look in her eyes. Oh sweetie.

Camp 42, Earth Kingdom

A few hours later

After the gang of rebels raided the airbender prison and freed Aang and the rest of the captives, the survivors took the gang to the hidden cave they had been taking refuge in. The cave was part of an entire system of small caves connected with one another. Katara and Sokka had been busy healing the injured airbenders. A lot of them had gruesome injuries and were badly burned.

Aang took a look around. The place was pretty barren. It was a sparsely decorated home. To think the Fire Nation has reduced us to all this. I mean I should be happier that I'm not the last airbender but all this is just a sobering reminder of what Sozin did to my people. The airbender himself was pretty banged up. The commandant had taken great pleasure in using him as a punching bag while he was imprisoned. He was currently limping on some crutches that the band of surviving airbenders managed to keep on them.

Katara felt the guilt wash over her as she looked at him. Look at him. That monster probably tortured the hell out of him while we were busy sneaking into the prison. I have to try and help. He is like a little brother to me. My feelings for him aren't as strong as those I reserve for Kuzon but Aang is still important to me. She approached him cautiously. "Here. Have a seat. I'll deal with your injuries."

Aang let out a sigh. "Yeah sure." Katara activated her healing hands and placed one on his cracked rib cage and the other on the massive burn on his face. She could feel both anger and sorrow building within her. "Oh Aang. Look at you. I wish we could've arrived quicker."

Aang turned to her and smiled. "Hey don't worry. I knew what I was getting into. I told you I had to save these airbenders. We're the last ones left. No one else was going to save them." He let out a yelp as Katara's right hand made contact with the massive burn on his cheek. It immediately started closing up and healing.

Katara just nodded. "As much as I hate to say it..you're right." She then took out some bandages and wrapped them around Aang's waist. "You're going to have to take it easy for a while. These ribs will take time to mend."

Aang nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Katara. I don't know what we would all do without you."

Katara smirked at him. "I think I do. You and the firebender I adore so much would be frozen popsicles. I never would have found the firebender I adore so much or the airbender I see as a little brother. As crazy as this sounds...I'm glad Sokka and I happened across you two in that iceberg. You two really have changed my life."

Aang glanced at her confused. "You have a...interesting sense of humor Katara."

Katara giggled and pinched his cheek. "And you are strangely cheerful and optimistic for a boy who thought he was the last of his kind."

Aang shrugged. "Well someone has to be the optimist in this group. Otherwise..you would all be a bunch of rain clouds."

Katara burst into laughter. After she calmed down, she grinned at him. "You..are probably right."

Aang then got up on his crutch. "I'm going to go check with the other airbenders and see if they need anything."

Katara nodded. "You do that. I'm going to check on Kuzon. I…can't seem to find him."

Aang nodded. "He's probably in conflict with himself. The Nomad and Fire Nation sides of his personality are at an impasse. He needs you. Now more than ever."

Somewhere near the Hidden Air Temple overlooking the cliffs.

Kuzon was tossing pebbles into the little pond below. He watched as they skipped and fell into the water. I'm so confused. What the hell does it all mean? The boy then rested his face in his hands. He then felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw it was Katara.

The girl then smirked at him and let out a small giggle. "There you are. I was looking all over for you." She then caressed his face in her hands and leaned in for a kiss.

Kuzon turned his head away however. Katara just nodded. Yeah. Just as I thought. He is struggling. She then sat herself next to him, smiled warmly. and took his hand. "You know I'm here for you sweetie. You can tell me anything."

Kuzon nodded and took his face in his hands. "I..don't know what to do anymore. I thought I was doing the right thing by taking the fight to them. Back at the Northern Water Tribe, I laid waste to an entire armada of ships full of people. How many of them were drafted or corralled into serving that maniac? How many innocent lives did I take?" The boy then burst into tears."

Katara shook her head emphatically. She then rested an arm around his waist and sighed. "None."

Kuzon turned to her shocked. "What do you mean none?"

Katara then rested her arms on his shoulders and kissed him. She was hoping that the extra gesture of love would reassure him at least a little bit. "I mean what I mean sweetie. None. I get why you feel the way you do. Really I do but you are not a monster like them."

Kuzon glanced at her in shock. "How are you so sure?"

Katara sighed, caressed his face with a hand, and smiled. She then wiped a tear from his eye."When Zuko attacked my home village..you were given a choice. A choice to either align yourself with your people for the sake of loyalty or choose to fight your own countrymen for the sake of the life of a little Water Tribe girl."

The waterbender glanced at him with a serious look in her eyes. "I want to ask you this. Why did you choose to save my village? Why did you save my people?"

Kuzon blushed a bit. Like I need time to answer that. "I..did it because it was the right thing to do. You and Sokka had practically saved my life out there. I had to watch as the Fire Nation took everything from me. I may not have known either of you that well but I didn't want the same to happen to that little girl."

Katara smirked at him. "Then you have just answered your own moral dilemma my sweet flame. You saved the lives of my people because it was your duty and it was the right thing to do." She then wrapped herself around her boyfriend, eager to comfort him even more. "You made a choice to fight the Fire Nation despite the risks. That man back at the prison..could have made that choice as well."

Kuzon glanced at her confused. "So..are you saying I should have killed him anyway?"

Katara looked him dead in the eyes and shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe or maybe not. What I am trying to say is that you don't need to feel guilty for anything you have done. Because of you, my people still have a home to go back to once this war is over. Hundreds of children across the Water Tribes are safe and they owe that safety to you." She then leaned in so close that he could feel her hot breath on his. "You will always be my hero." She then wrapped both arms around his neck and kissed him as passionately as she could.

Kuzon just allowed himself to melt in her arms. He took in every sensation he could. The feeling of her mouth on his. The saltwater aroma of her hair as it flowed in the wind.

The waterbender's words hadn't answered the firebender's moral dilemma but he at least felt at ease. After a long while, the two broke apart.

Katara smiled up at him with hope brimming in her eyes. I know it won't be easy but I hope I helped at least. "Did that help?"

Kuzon was struggling to find the words. The depth of the waterbender's love and affection for him had touched him on a whole different level. "Yes..it did. I don't know how to thank you."

Katara giggled while blushing and spoke with an earnest tone in her voice. "Well…you can start by getting me a ring. I know we aren't exactly made of money and all..but a girl has to have her priorities you know."

Kuzon stuttered. "O..Ok then. Sounds like a plan."

Katara then leaned in and smirked at him. "Good. Oh Kuzu. You are so cute when you stutter."

The two then kissed as sunrise began going down.