Author's Notes: Okay everyone here is the next chapter of this story, a few warnings not a lot of changes from the original version unless you count the added characters but you might find something interesting near the end.
So let us begin.
BOOK ONE:
WATER.
CHAPTER TWO:
THE SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE.
After a couple of trips, suggested by Aang. The group rested at a beach, in time for the last trip before heading to the North Pole.
Aang's home.
"You're gonna be amazed, Katara," Aang said as he tightened the harness on Appa's horns. "The Southern Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world."
"Eh, the place is okay," Kuzon said rolling up his sleeping bag, "A little nice and all, but I wouldn't oversell it."
"Aang I know you're excited but remember you haven't been there for a hundred years," Katara said with a concern look while Aang kept his happy expression.
"That's why I'm so excited!" Aang smiled, "I mean I can't wait to see how much it changed for the past years."
"Probably nothings changed," Kuzon said putting the bags on the saddle, "I know Airbenders tend to go with the flow sometimes but you guys hardly ever change your temples."
"Come on, Kuzon we change things in the temple before," Aang added.
"A new coat of paint doesn't count," Kuzon remarked as he walked over to Sokka, still sleeping in his sleeping bag.
"Hey Ponytail, wake up!" Kuzon said, "We're heading off."
Sokka responded by rolling to his side facing away from him.
"Come on Sokka, we got to go to the temple," Aang said landing next to Kuzon.
"Sleep now, temple later," Sokka said as he went back to sleep.
Both Aang and Kuzon looked at the sleeper then at once they got an idea, they looked at each other and gave a devilish grin like they both knew what the other was thinking.
"Okay then sleep away," Kuzon said as Aang looked around the beach for something.
"Good. Night." Sokka said while Kuzon continued, "But just so you know, I've heard tales of a very dangerous animal that is said to live on this beach."
"It's called a Prickle Snake. They say it likes to get inside the sleeping bags of unexpected sleepers and kill them with a single bite."
At that moment Aang came by holding a stick as Kuzon finnished, "But then again there might not be one on this-"
"SOKKA WAKE UP! THERE'S A PRICKLE SNAKE IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG!" Aang shouted as he gently dragged the stick on Sokka, instantly causing the young warrior to wake up with a scream of fright.
"AH GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" Then he fell down and hear Katara's laughter and realizing he had been tricked.
"Great you're awake now lets go," Aang said and he and Kuzon clapped their hands with each other in victory.
"I tell ya, Aang that Prickle joke never gets old."
After a couple of hours or a day of finally freeing the ship from the avalanche, Zuko's ship had to be taken in for repairs at the nearest Fire Nation base. Once parked, Zuko is reminded on how his ship's size differs from the much larger cruisers next to them.
"There big so what?" Mai said walking pass him with Iroh following.
"Uncle, I want the repairs done as quickly as possible, I can't lose the trail."
"How can you find a trial in the air?" Mai asked, making Zuko glare at her. "What it's a good question?"
"A very good question, Ms. Mai," Iroh stated, "But even the Light Avatar-"
"And don't mention his name on these docks, either of you," Zuko hissed.
"If word gets out that one of the Avatars is still alive, then someone will make a grab for him and the last thing I want is for anyone to get in the way."
"Get in the way of what?"
All three turned to see a familiar figure walking towards them while Zuko frowned at the figure.
"Captain Zhao."
"Actually its Commander Zhao now," Zhao bowed to them, "It is an honor to be in your presence once more General Iroh."
"Please, retired General now," Iroh said.
"And Lady Mai, a pleasure to see you as well," Zhao said causing Mai to roll her eyes at the Admiral.
"You as well as the Fire Lord's Son and Brother are welcome guests here at any time. So tell me what brings you all here to my harbor?"
"We brought our ship here to be repaired as you can see from the damage," Iroh pointed to the dents all over the ship.
Zhao looked at the ship with puzzlement, "That's a lot of damage. What happened?"
"Oh it was such a shock," Zuko started, "Wasn't it Uncle?"
Iroh gulped nervously that his nephew was making him tell Zhao a lie at the spot all of a sudden, "Well yes it was…you see what happened to the ship was a…a-"
"It was an avalanche."
Zuko and Iroh both looked to Mai, "An avalanche?" Zhao spoke, "What caused it?"
"How should we know?" Mai started, "One moment we were sipping tea in the South Pole and the next thing we knew our ship was blocked by a bunch of snow and ice."
Zuko and Iroh looked at Zhao's face as he pondered the statement, wondering if he believed her.
"Well that explains the damage I suppose," Zhao said, "While the three of you wait for the repairs I would like to offer you all a drink. We can then talk about what you've been up to now."
"We don't have time for chats we have to get going," Zuko stated.
"Now Prince Zuko, let us show Commander Zhao your respect," Iroh said, "We would be honored to join you. Providing you have Ginseng Tea?"
"Of course nothing but the best," Zhao said taking Iroh to his tent.
"Good, it is one of my favorite teas."
Zuko growled in anger as he leaned to Mai's ear.
"What do you think you where doing?" he hissed.
Mai rolled her eyes, "Come down," she said quietly, "It's not like I said what caused it."
Zuko frowned as the two of them followed the rest.
Appa flew above the clouds, carefully avoiding any rocky mountains that hid within the clouds, thankfully the bison had extra eyes with the aid of Aang and Katara who sat on his head while Kuzon and Sokka sat on the saddle.
Kuzon was on his back relaxing when he heard a growling sound coming near Sokka holding his stomach.
"Wow, was that Appa or you?"
Sokka ignored him as he pulled out his own bag but when he opened it, there was no food except of a single crumb.
"Hey! Who ate all my Seal jerky?" Sokka demanded, he got his answer when Kuzon burped.
"You!" Sokka pointed, "You ate all my food?"
"Well I was frozen for a hundred years you know," Kuzon explained showing no signs of caring, "A guy can get hungry for all that time. Besides I did not eat all of it I left some."
"Oh that was food?" Aang said glancing back at them, "I used it to start the camp fire last night, sorry."
"WHAT!" Sokka cried, "No wonder why the flames smelled so good."
"Oh quite you're complaining, Ponytail," Kuzon said, "There is food back at the temple…I think. You can never know how long hundred years have changed things."
Katara overheard Kuzon's words and it reminded her of what she was going to try and tell Aang but before she could talk to him, Appa started going upward and everyone saw large mountains ahead.
"We've reached the top of the mountain range," Aang smiled, "We're almost there!"
"Aang, before we get to the Temple there is something I want to tell you," Katara said.
"What is it?" Aang asked.
"Well, I just wanted to prepare you for what we might find up there," Katara began, "The Fire Nation is ruthless when the war started, when they came to my village they took Waterbenders and…they killed my mother. They might have done the same thing to your people."
Aang was silent for a moment as he thought on her words but quickly shook them off, "Well just because no one has seen any Airbenders for years doesn't mean that they where all killed by the Fire Nation."
"Yeah and besides these baldies have ways of being very sneaky," Kuzon said joining the conversation. "They might have escaped."
"Kuzon's right, Katara," Aang said, "Also the only way to get to the Air Temples is by a Flying Bison and I doubt the Fire Nation has any."
"By the way Kuzon I keep forgetting to ask you, how did you get to the temple in the first place?" Aang asked, Kuzon scratched his head in thought.
"That's a good question," Kuzon said, "All I remember was one moment I was in a bar celebrating a big successful sell and the next thing I know I found myself at the Air Temple and all my money gone, along with a massive headache."
"So you got drunk and robbed?" Sokka said, "How that happened?"
"Well I would know if I remembered what happened, it was a long time ago."
But the story was interrupted as Appa started flying around the mountain causing Aang to keep full focus on the appropriate direction that Appa was going.
Everyone held on as they flew faster up and around the mountain with the wind blowing fast in their faces until finally Appa slowed down and the wind died down a little.
Everyone looked straight ahead and saw a wonderful sight.
"There it is," Aang said, "The Southern Air Temple."
"Aang it's amazing!" Katara stated loving the look of the ancient temple that still had a sign of serenity.
"Okay I admit it," Kuzon smiled, "Looking at it now, the place is kind of pretty."
"We're home guys," Aang said feeling warmth at the sight of his home, "We're home."
Mai gave a bored expression as she took a sip of her tea while Zhao explained more military stuff. It always bored her even when her farther talks about it.
"And by years end, the Fire Nation will successfully take control of The Earth Kingdome and the Fire Lord will gain absolute victory."
"Providing we can conquer all the major guarded territories in the Earth Kingdom and even if we did, my farther would be a fool if he thinks the whole world will follow him," Zuko stated as Zhao took a seat between him and Mai.
"It would seem you still possess that tongue of yours despite being at sea for two years," Zhao said while Iroh was looking at the stack of weapons on the wall.
"By the way," Zhao began, "How goes the search for the Avatars?"
Zuko kept his gaze on the table while Mai gave a subtle glance at the prince while Iroh accidently knocked down the weapons causing Zhao to look at him.
"Sorry I apologize," Iroh said as Zuko answered the question calmly. "I've not found them yet."
"Did you really expect to?" Zhao said, "The Light Avatar died with the rest of the Airbenders and as for the Dark Avatar well, we would have known if she was around. The time of the Avatars is over and done."
Zhao smiled, "Unless of course you might have found some evidence that one or both of the Avatars are alive."
Zuko turned to Zhao, "No, I've found nothing." Zhao stood up from his chair and walked around Zuko.
"Prince Zuko," He started, "The Avatars are the only ones who could prevent the Fire Nation from winning this war, and if you did find any evidences of either one of them or both. It is your duty and loyalty to our Nation to tell me what you've found."
Zuko looked at Zhao, "I don't have anything. You're probably right, they might have died years ago."
As Zuko was about to stand up, ready to leave, one of Zhao's soldiers entered the tent.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed," said the solider, "They said Prince Zuko had the Light Avatar in custody but he had escaped."
Zhao looked down at Zuko with a small grin, "Now you told me your ship was damaged by an avalanche right?"
Iroh looked nervously at his nephew and Zuko closed his eyes in defeat and Mai put her empty teacup down as she spoke.
"Well the Avatar started the avalanche."
While Appa rested the others started walking up the trail to the temple with Aang leading the way and Kuzon (carrying his bag) following with Katara and Sokka behind.
"So where's the food," Sokka asked Kuzon, "You said there was food here."
"Sokka, we are one of the only few outsiders to ever visit an actual Air Temple and the first thing that comes to your mind is food?" Katara asked.
"I'm just a simple guy with simple needs," Sokka replied.
"Relax will yah?" Kuzon said, "If you're that hungry eat a twig or something."
The group stooped as Aang looked down at a row of multiple stacked sticks with two signs on each side.
"Over there is where me and my friends played Air ball," Aang pointed at the structure.
"I hate that game," Kuzon grumbled as Aang continued.
"And over there is where the Bison would sleep and-" Aang stopped he looked up and to his sides and then at the ground.
"What's the matter buddy?" Kuzon asked.
"This place use to be full of monks and Bison, and Winged Lemurs, but now…nothing just weeds."
Aang sighed sadly, "I can't believe how everything changed." Kuzon patted Aang's back gently. Katara and Sokka looked at each other, both feeling bad for their friend so Sokka walked to Aang.
"So how do you play that Air ball game, Aang?" Sokka asked causing Aang to smile again.
Sokka stood on one of the polls without his coat on while Aang stood on the opposite side of the poll using Airbending to float the ball in his hand.
"You know I thought you would be fat underneath that fur," Kuzon said while he and Katara watch.
"Why do you think that?" Sokka glared at Kuzon.
"Sokka keep your eyes on me!" Aang shouted.
Sokka quickly looked back at Aang as the young Airbender tossed the ball up in the air. Sokka kept his eye on it and by the time the ball was falling near Aang, he did an air slash kick causing the ball to shot strait and bounced against the polls.
Sokka tired to keep his eyes on the ball, but due how fast the ball as going thanks to bouncing off the polls it was hard to keep track. That is until the ball shout straight towards him and pushed in at the sign causing it to spin him out into the snow and having Aang win.
"Good one, buddy!" Kuzon cheered.
"Yes!" Aang cheered, "Want to try 1 out of seven Sokka?"
Sokka groaned, "Let me think about it. No thanks." Sokka was about to get up when he spotted something near the snow, and what he saw filled him with dread.
"Katara look," Katara walked to Sokka to see the object. It was an old rusted Fire Nation solider helmet.
"The Fire Nation," Katara said with a hint of anger in her concerned tone, "They where here."
"We better tell him," Sokka said.
"Aang, you got to come over here," Katara said as Kuzon and Aang clapped their hands together for the win.
"Coming," he answered back as he walked towards them.
As Aang got closer, Katara stared having second thoughts on showing Aang the helmet. He was just starting to feel happy at the moment when he was feeling sad as he finally came home after a hundred years, and that made her think about what right does she have to take the happiness away.
By the time Aang was near them Katara moved her hands upward and back down instantly causing the snow above Sokka to fall on him and also covering the helmet.
"What was that about?" Kuzon said as he and Aang walked to Katara.
"I just wanted to show you guys a new Waterbending move that I learned," Katara lied as Sokka got out of the snow.
"That's nice and all but we still got the temple to see, come on," Aang said tossing Kuzon the ball and running ahead.
Katara and Sokka were about to follow but then Kuzon stood in their path and looked at them suspiciously.
"What?" Sokka asked, then Kuzon looked at the snow behind them then he put the ball down and walked towards it.
"Kuzon wait," But Katara was too late as Kuzon pulled the Helmet out of the snow.
"This is what you're hiding from him?" Kuzon said expecting the object, "An old helmet."
"It's a Fire Nation helmet," Sokka said, "They where here, I mean you should recognize something of your people."
"Sokka!" Katara said quietly so Aang would not hear, "Kuzon, please don't tell Aang about-"
"About what?" Kuzon interrupted, "That one solider managed to get up here and died? This idiot must have thought he could climb all the way up here and then died as soon as he made it."
Sokka and Katara looked at Kuzon oddly as he continued, "Now if you saw more then just this one then I think we should be worried"
"Still it's best we don't tell Aang about this," Katara said concerned.
Kuzon then put the helmet in his bag, "Relax, I won't tell him and besides I'm sure everyone-and by that I mean the Airbenders-have all left before any real Fire Nation guys came here."
"Also I think I can get a couple of Yuans out of this old helmet."
"Hey are you guys coming or not!" Aang shouted with Kuzon running towards him leaving Katara and Sokka to follow still unnerve about what they saw.
As the group started exploring the rest of the temple Sokka started talking with Katara and Kuzon as soon as Aang was out of hearing range.
"Look you guys can't protect Aang for long," Sokka insisted, "The Fire Nation has been here."
"And I told you, we only saw one and it was a helmet for crying out loud," Kuzon said, "Nothing to worry about."
"Besides, Sokka," Katara added, "If Aang found out that the Fire Nation had been here, he would be devastated. So for now we won't tell him."
"Hey Guys!" The three of them looked to Aang pointing at a wooden statue of a monk. "I would like to introduce you to someone."
"Who's that?" Sokka asked.
"This is Monk Gyatso," Aang smiled, "The greatest Airbender in the world."
"He was also Aang's guardian and mentor. Taught the kid everything he knows about Airbending," Kuzon added, "Also he cheats at Pai Sho."
"Kuzon you're the one who cheats at that," Aang said.
Kuzon grumbled, "I wouldn't have to if he would lose for once!"
Aang laughed at Kuzon then he bowed at the statue and thought back to a happier time.
"Now the true secret is in the gooey center," Monk Gyatso said as he pulled out the cake from the oven and placed it with the other three cakes on the ledge of the temple walls and sitting with them a mopping Aang.
Gyatso noticed this as he placed the cake next to the rest, "I believe you have other things on your mind then my baking skills, right?"
"It's just me being the Light Avatar," Aang started, "Do you think the Monks made a mistake?"
"No mistakes there," Gyatso said, "Except the mistake of telling you before you reached the age of 16."
"But now there is nothing to be concerned about what was. Instead let us forces on what is."
Gyatso motioned to Aang to observing all the goings at the moment, from a family of Flying Bisons taking their young ones on their first flying lessons and to multiple Air Nomads doing there own things be it chores or having fun with friends and loved ones.
"But Gyatso, how do I know when I am ready?" Aang asked.
Gyatso looked to Aang, "You will know when you are old enough to enter the Air Temple Sanctuary. Within you find someone to guide you on your journey and perhaps answer you questions."
Aang was excited to hear this, "Who is it? Who's in there?"
"When you are ready you will know," Gyatso answered, Aang groaned at that answer.
"Kuzon," Gyatso said, "Are they in position?"
Kuzon was next to Gyatso while holding an old spyglass at his eye, "Yep all there and accounted for."
Gyatso smiled, "Now Aang, are you going to help me with these cakes or not?"
Aang nodded as he walked next to Gyatso as they prepared an Air ball from their hands.
"1…2…3!" Gyatso said as he and Aang tossed the Air balls at the cakes, tossing them into the air and landing directly on all four of the Elder Monks, thankfully the Winged Lemurs to clean up some of the mess.
The three of them laughed at the sight, "Gyatso you are a clever old timer!" Kuzon laughed his heart out.
"And you Kuzon are a wonderful partner in mischief," Gyatso added, "And as for you my young pupil."
Aang and Gyatso faced each other and bowed with Gyatso patting Aang's head, "Your aim has improved greatly. Well done."
"You must miss him."
Aang gave a sad sigh as Katara placed a hand on his shoulder, "Yeah, I do."
"He always was a clever old timer," Kuzon sighed patting the statue then he spotted Aang going into the temple, "Hey where are you going now?"
"I'm going to the Air Temple Sanctuary," Aang answered, "There is someone I'm ready to meet."
The four entered the temple and continued walking til they reached a grand, ornate doors with a small tree growing along the left side of the wall and in the middle of the door a strange circle with three light blue symbols, two on the left and right and one in the middle below them and at each sides of the circle is two horn like object that connect with the object.
"But Aang, I don't think you understand," Katara said, "No one could have possible survived being in there for a hundred years."
"You do realize you're with two people who have been frozen in ice for over a hundred years, don't you?" Kuzon mentioned.
"Hmm, good point," Katara said.
"Besides, who ever is in there might be able to teach me all this Avatar stuff," Aang said.
"And who ever is in their might have a yummy, delicious assortment of meats," Sokka's mouth started to drool as he charged to open the door only for it to remain shut.
"Does he always think with his stomach or have I not noticed that until now?" Kuzon asked while Katara rubbed the bridge of her nose due to her brother's action.
"Say you guys don't happen to have a key for this door?" Sokka asked giving up.
"The key, Sokka is Airbending," Aang stated.
Once Sokka was out of the way, Aang began. He took a deep breath through the nose then he placed his hands near the sides of his chest, then he lifted his right foot and quickly put it down and stretched his hands to the horns on the circle and sending out two focused currents of air inside.
As the air traveled into the object, one by one the ornate locking mechanism started to disengage the locks shown when each of the light blue circles turned around and sending out some of the air like an old music instrument, once all three of them where turned, two cylinders in the middle connected and then a third one raised up and the door started to open.
The gang looked into the open door, seeing darkness and some shapes, but nothing else.
"Hello!" Aang called, "Is anyone home?"
Nothing was heard save for his own echoes
"You know in times when there is a big door, showing a dark room and echoes are the only thing to hear. This is the moment where we should turn back now," Kuzon said feeling a little bit nervous.
"What's the matter, scared of the dark?" Sokka mocked while Katara rolled her eyes at him.
"No I'm not scared of the dark," Kuzon said, "I'm scared of what could be in the dark waiting to kill us."
That caused Sokka to share in Kuzon's nervous feelings. "Well we came this far," Katara added, "Might as well see what's inside."
Aang nodded then he and Katara went inside with Kuzon and Sokka nervously close behind.
"Let me see if I'm correct, The Light Avatar is a 12 year old and has bested not only your men but yourself?" Zhao asked, the silences Zuko gave was all the answers he needed.
"I have to say, that is pathetic."
"I underestimated him it won't happen again," Zuko said.
"No it won't," Zhao stated, "Because as of this moment, the mission of capturing the Avatars will be my responsibility."
Zuko kept his anger in check, thou it was staring to show, "Commander Zhao, I have been hunting them for 2 years and I-"
"And you failed!" A short wave of fire came out of Zhao's fist but not hitting anyone as Zhao continued, "The capture of the Avatars is to important to leave in a teenagers hands,"
Zhao composed himself as he finished, "I will be assembling a search party and once I am out to sea and your ship is fully repaired my guards will send you back and you will be free to go."
Zuko tightened his fist. His anger ready to blow, "You're not worried that I might continue my mission or try and stop you?"
It did not help Zuko's temper when Zhao started laughing, "Stop me? Impossible."
Zuko got up from his chair and causing the table to shake, Mai continued drinking but watching the conversations along with Iroh.
"Do not underestimate me, Zhao," Zuko stated, "I will capture both Avatars before you!"
"Prince Zuko, that is enough," Iroh said calmly to his nephew.
"Please if you could not capture the Light Avatar what makes you think you can capture The Dark Avatar or even both of them," Zhao said.
"Legends say that the Dark Avatar is more destructive and more deadly then its counterpart. In fact if you had found the Dark instead of the Light then you would not be standing here right now, you would be food for the fishes."
"And on top of all that you only have one old ship while I have an entire fleet, thousands of loyal soldiers at my command, and you? Zhao looked at him with disgust, "You are nothing more then a banished prince, a disgrace to the Fire Nation, not even your farther would want you back."
Steam started to erupt from Zuko's griped hands while Mai gave Zhao a cold stare.
"That is a lie," Zuko growled, "My farther will welcome me back with open arms and restore my place on the throne once I have the Avatars at his feet."
Zhao shook his head, "If your farther wanted you back then he would have, Avatars or no Avatars, and if he really cared he would not allow you to go on this suicide mission at all, but in his eyes you are a failure and the proof is on your face."
The anger then erupted.
Flames shout out from Zuko's fists as he leaned to Zhao stopping mid way giving him a hateful glare, "MABYE YOU WOULD LIKE ONE TO MATCH!"
Zhao's two guards where ready to attack the prince and Mai acted by tossing the cup and brining out her two knifes ready to throw at them. Everyone stood still, waiting for the next move.
Zhao glared at Zuko, "Are you challenging me?"
"Agni Kai at sunset," Zuko snarled, "Agree?"
Zhao signaled his men to stand down, "Very well, I accept," Zhao began to walk out of the tent, "Such as shame you farther won't see you lose I guess your Uncle and Ms. Mai will have to do."
As soon as he left, Mai put her knifes away, "Well that was a bad idea."
"She is right, Prince Zuko," Iroh said, "Have you forgotten the last time you dueled a Master?"
Zuko felt his left face twitch a little, "I can never forget."
As the group walked, they kept in the light from outside as continued on until they reached the end and what they saw was not what any of them expected to find.
"Statues?" Sokka moaned, "That's it? Where's the meat?"
The room was almost filled with hundreds of statues of different people, man and woman all rowed in a circle with some in different colors and some facing the other statues, and when they looked up more statues where seen on the walls and more rows upon rows of them that seemed to reach all the way upward, seemingly never ending.
"Who are all these people?" Katara asked as she and Aang looked over the statues one by one.
"I don't know," Aang said but he felt something as he looked over each statue, "But it feels like I know them somehow."
"Hey guys, look at these!" Kuzon shouted pointing at four of the statues.
"It looks to me like there is a pattern here."
"I think you're right," Katara said looking at the four, "The one next to you is an Airbender and besides that is a Waterbender, an Earthbender and a Firebender and again to an Airbender."
"Like the Avatar cycle," Aang answered.
"That's it," Katara managed to figure the pattern, "Aang all these people must have been your past lives. Past Light Avatars."
Kuzon whistled, "That is a lot of yous, Aang."
"Past lives?" Sokka said in disbelief, "You got to be kidding me."
"It's true, Sokka," Katara explained, "Legends say that when an Avatar dies they get reincarnated to the next nation in the cycle.
Sokka rolled his eyes, "Great, first the weird bending and now reincarnations what's ne-AAAAH!"
When Sokka turned around, he finally noticed the black colored statues facing the white ones. Kuzon and Katara looked at them as well as Aang but when he looked at them he felt a cold chill.
For these statues where unlike the ones they where facing, each one had different outfits that seemed to be made to bring fear to those who gaze on them, the only thing they all shared with each other is darker-jagged lined mask on their faces.
Sokka gulped, "Let me guess, more of you?"
"Oh please how big of an idiot are you?" Kuzon said, "These aren't Light Avatars, these are the statues of The Dark Avatar."
Sokka looked at one of the Dark Avatars statues and then at the Light Avatar one that it faced, "Dark Avatar?"
"You're kidding right?" Kuzon said, "The Dark Avatar? The opposite of the Light Avatar? The War of the Avatars?"
"Look I don't know everything about all this avatar thing okay!" Sokka shouted, "I barely grasp the whole past lives thing!"
Katara got in the middle of the two before anything else might happen, "It's okay I'll explain, Gran Gran told me. She said that there have always been two Avatars. No more and no less."
As Katara explained, Aang started looking at each of the statues back and forth with each row.
"No one really knows how their war started, only that they will always fight each other and the winner of those fights will determined the fate of the world."
Aang walked looked at a stature of one of his past lives, A female Airbender and the Dark Avatar facing her looked to be the biggest one of them all. It's large hulking form looked that it could nearly reach the height of Appa's head.
"Like its counterpart, The Dark Avatar also has a life cycle but only to the opposite elements to the Light Avatars."
Aang walked by a statue of a Waterbender Light Avatar wearing on his head a bear-like pelt and the Dark Avatar facing him was dressed in what appears to be an ancient Fire Nation solider outfit.
"Okay so let me get this straight," Sokka said, "So there are suppose to be two Avatars in the world right?"
Aang glanced at another statue of his former life, this one a female warrior, a name came to his mind, Kyoshi he thought, and he looked to her Dark Avatar, an Airbender but unlike the Dark Avatars this one was wearing a traditional Monk attire and yet, Aang could feel a dark coldness to this one.
"That is how it always been, everyone knows that," Kuzon said.
Aang finally stopped as he faced the last Light Avatar statue in the row, an old Firebender. Aang looked at the face, almost hypnotic and as he gazed at it and it almost seemed like it was looking back at him.
"Aang?" He came out of it when Katara shook him gently, "Are you alight?"
"What? Uh, yeah I'm fine," Aang said looking back at the statue but not feeling hypnotic anymore.
"Do you know who that is?" Katara asked as Sokka and Kuzon joined them.
"That's Light Avatar Roku," Aang answered, "The one before me."
"A Firebender huh?" Sokka said, "No wonder I didn't trust you when we meet."
Kuzon rolled his eyes, "Oh give it a rest already. Now what where you saying again?"
Sokka glared a little at Kuzon then looked at Aang, "I'm just asking if there must always be a Dark Avatar for A Light Avatar then where's Aang's?"
Aang shrugged, "I don't know I never met her."
"Then how do you know it's a her?" Sokka asked.
"Haven't you been listing?" Kuzon said annoyed, "The Dark Avatar is the opposite of the Light Avatar and since Aang is a boy, the Dark Avatar is obviously a girl. Like he is an Airbender and she would have to be an Earthbender."
"All right already I get it! Sokka said
Then suddenly a strange sound echoed from outside, all four froze and then quickly hid behind two of the Light Avatar statues, Aang and Katara hiding behind one and Kuzon and Sokka hiding behind another.
"Will you move your elbow you're to close to me for my liking," Kuzon whispered as a shadow was seen on the ground entering the room.
"Quite, it could be a Firebender," Sokka whispered
"Not this again," Kuzon sighed, "If it's Firebender then how did it get up here?"
"Okay then maybe it's The Dark Avatar then," Sokka argued.
"Don't be stupid, the Dark Avatar would have been around a hundred years ago, how could she be alive now?"
"Well you two are alive maybe she could be too."
"Will you two be quite," Katara hissed silently causing the boys to shush her.
As the figure neared them, Sokka pulled out his club, "Well who ever or what ever it is, they won't know what hit them."
"A stick? Of course that would help us a lot," Kuzon said with sarcasm.
Sokka glared, "We could always throw your bag at it."
"Do that and you'll owe me more money then you could get in a life time!"
"Guys!" Aang hissed then the figure stopped. Everyone held their breaths, Sokka quickly stepped out from behind the statue to face the figure but he paused once he saw it, the others looked out as well.
The figure…was a Flying Lemur.
Kuzon sighed with relief, "Thank goodness. It's just a-"
"Lemur!" Aang smiled.
"Food!" Sokka licked his lips.
"Oh no!" Kuzon groaned knowing where this was going.
The little Animal took a small leap backwards from them as they fully moved from behind the statues.
"Don't be scared, little guy," Aang said gently, "You're going to be my new pet."
"What!" Kuzon said, "Isn't that overgrown full ball enough?"
"Appa isn't a pet, Kuzon," Aang said, "He's a life long friend."
"Friend, pet what ever. Those things are annoying enough for my liking. So you are not keeping that! Appa is more then enough!"
"Good then I get to eat it!" Sokka declared as he lunged towards the Lemur. Aang tried to stop him but the lemur already sensing the danger it was in decided to flee.
"Come back food!" Sokka shouted following the animal.
"Oh no you don't, Sokka!" Aang followed close behind.
"Aang I mean it you are not keeping that-" But it was to late. Both Aang and Sokka ran after the lemur and causing Kuzon to grow in anger.
"Katara! Stay right here in case one of them gets back," Kuzon said as he started running after them. "I'm not about to let Aang get another annoying animal that he will make me feed! I. WILL. NOT. FEED IT!"
Katara watched oddly as they all left on this silly chase.
Sokka was in the lead as he ran to catch his soon to be dinner, but he forgot Aang's speed thanks to his Airbending. Sokka tried to trip him with his club but Aang started running on the wall, gaining ahead, then Aang jumped off the wall and launched and Airball at Sokka tripping him allowing Kuzon to run past him.
Aang spotted the lemur on the balcony but the creature saw him and instantly used its wings to fly downward but Aang was not giving up just yet. He jumped off the balcony and using his skills along with Airbending he safely jumped off rock by rock as he followed the flying Lemur.
"Hey no fair!" Sokka shouted from the balcony as Kuzon shouted to Aang.
"YOU ARE NOT KEEPING THAT LEMUR!"
Finally Aang found the lemur resting on the ground only for the poor animal to run after spotting Aang. The creature ran into an old large tent with Aang behind him but when he got in, he lost sight of the animal.
"Come out little guy," Aang said, "Don't worry I wont let that hungry guy get you."
As Aang looked he pushed away some curtains away he froze at the spot. For in front of him all on the ground are mass of skeleton bodies of Fire Nation soldiers with only the armor to recognize their identity.
"The Fire Nation," Aang whispered in horror, "They where here."
As he looked at this macabre scene before him, he stopped when he took noticed of one of the skeletons that wasn't from the Fire Nation but of his own people.
Aang's heart nearly stopped when he recognized the woodened pendent on the body.
"Gyatso."
Aang fell to his knees and his hands covering his face as tears started falling just as Kuzon entered the tent trying to catch his breath.
"Do you have any idea how long it took me to get down here?" Kuzon breathed, "I'm almost out of breath!"
Kuzon spotted Aang first seeing him crying, causing him to roll his eyes, "Aang the crying trick is not going to work on me and I don't care if you think that animal is cute when I say no I mean-"
Finally Kuzon noticed the bodies of the Fire Nation soldiers, epically Monk Gyatso's body.
"Oh no." Kuzon took a deep breath, his eyes almost watering but he kept calm for Aang sake, "Come on buddy," Kuzon placed a gently hand on his shoulder.
"Everything-everything is going to be okay."
It was that moment when Aaang stopped crying…and his tattoos began to glow. Kuzon took a step back as the wind started blowing hard into the tent and Aang started levitating.
"Uh, then again maybe not."
While she waited for them to come back Katara was looking over all the statues till she stopped at the Dark Avatar statue that faced Light Avatar Roku.
The statue was that of an old woman, the body was hunched, the stoned hands showed sharp nails that one could mistake for talons and like all the other Dark Avatar statues, this one wore a mask covering the face. As Katara studied the statue she could have sworn that she had seen this figure before.
Her thoughts where interrupted when Sokka came back, nearly out of breath, "Well. I lost them."
"Sokka come over here and take a look at this," Katara said her eyes still on the statue.
"A little sympathy, Katara?" Sokka said walking to her, "I'm hungry and I'm nearly out of breath from running and it is making me more hungry."
Katara ignored his whining, "Sokka look at that statue."
"Yeah, what about it?" Sokka asked, "It's one of those Dark Avatars right?"
"Yes but Sokka, doesn't this one look familiar?" Katara asked.
Sokka shrugged, "I don't know why?"
"It's-I don't know like I've seen this one be-"
Then a small blue light started shinning behind them, they turned around and saw the stone eyes of Roku's statue glowing a very familiar glow. Very soon all the eyes of the Light Avatar statues started glowing.
"Uh, what's going on?" Sokka asked but Katara quickly figured out what might be the cause of this.
Something must be happening with Aang.
"Sokka come on!" Katara started running out of the room, "We got to find Aang!"
"Great more weirdness and more running," Sokka sighed, "Katara, wait for me!"
Just as the two of them left the room, there then came another glow, this time from all the statues of the Dark Avatar. Their eyes glowing a hateful red that shined against the blue light from their counterparts.
"Now remember you basic Firebending training, Prince Zuko," Iroh said, "They are your greatest weapons."
Zuko and Zhao both kneeled far across from each other in the base's training area where the Agni Kai is taking place. Four of Zhao's men stood with him and Mai and Iroh stood with Zuko.
"Just don't lose this one," Mai said her voice clearly not showing much care for this.
"I refuse to let him win," Zuko stated.
At once both Zuko and Zhao stood up and removed the cloth from their upper bodies, the two entered a battle stance ready for the match to begin.
"This will be over quickly," Zhao remarked.
Soon the gong was sound and the two waited for one of them to make the first move.
Zuko moved his arms back and let out a ball of fire at Zhao but the commander dodged all shot fired at him and when the third fire ball was headed straight towards him, Zhao crossed his arms across his chest and by the time the fire nearly reached him, he uncrossed his arms hard and instantly obliterated the fire.
Zuko glared at this and kicked his legs up thus sending a wave of flames at his foe.
But like before Zhao stopped the attacks, by creating small flames on his hands, Zhao stopped each attack send at him. Then Zhao placed both hands together and send a flamethrower attack breaking more attacks by Zuko until both stopped.
Zhao smiled, in his head he already is close winning.
"Don't forget your basics!" Iroh shouted while Mai kept her sights on Zuko, her hands twitching closely to one of her knifes just in case.
Now it was Zhao's turn to attack and with each wave of fire he send to Zuko, the more he was getting close to him.
Zuko kept blocking the attacks but each time he did more come charging at him until Zhao let out a mighty fire ball at him, knocking Zuko down to the ground.
As Zuko looked up he saw Zhao leaping into the air and landing just a foot away from him. Zhao gave a victorious grin as he let out a wave of fire from his fist right towards the down prince.
It looked like Zuko was about to lose. But he swore to himself that he will never lose at Agni Kai again to anyone ever again.
He quickly dodged the attack and did a swift kick knocking Zhao down while he got right back up.
Zuko grinned as Zhao got back to his feet, then Zuko slide his foot sending flames out towards Zhao and just like what the commander did to him, Zuko kept on attacking and not giving him the chance to strike.
Zhao dodged the attack but was staring to lose balance till he finally lost it when Zuko did a fire kick knocking him down.
Zuko quickly ran to him, his fist ready to let out one finale attack to win, Zhao stared at Zuko and he stared right back.
Zhao glared at him, "What are you waiting for? Finnish it!"
Then Zuko fired his final attack, hitting the ground near but not close to Zhao's head.
"The next time you get in my way again, I will not hold back," Zuko walked away from him. He had won.
"That's it?" Zhao said enraged over this as well as the lose, "Your farther raised a coward!"
But Zuko ignored him, enraging him more. While Zuko's back was turned, Zhao stood up and send a fire kick at him but the flame did not reach Zuko as Iroh moved quickly and grabbed Zhao's foot and ending the flames the proceed to push the commander back to the ground.
Zuko was about to attack Zhao for this but Mai stopped him, "Don't go to his level," she said calmly.
Iroh walked to Zhao and gave him a disproving glare. "This is how you act in defeat, Commander Zhao? Disgraceful. Even in exile my nephew is more honorable then you."
"Thanks for the tea, it was delicious."
"Eh, it was kind of bland," Mai remarked as she, Zuko and Iroh left the arena and heading back to the ship leaving Zhao glaring at them but mainly at Zuko.
"Did you mean that, Uncle?" Zuko asked.
"Of course," Iroh answered, "I told you Ginseng Tea is my favorite."
Mai glanced at Zuko briefly with a hint of red on her cheeks, "Okay now that's over can you please put a shirt on?"
Kuzon tried to reach Aang but the force of the wind kept pushing him back until it was so strong that it knocked Kuzon across the room and blew the top of the tent off. Luckily for Kuzon, Katara and Sokka saw the action and found him behind some rubble while Aang continued to flout in the air and the glow continuing to shine bright and to make things worse, the wind surrounding Aang started to slowly form into a twister.
"What happened?!" Sokka shouted through the wind as he and Katara picked Kuzon up.
"Obviously nothing good!" Kuzon shouted, "Not only did Aang found out that the Fire Nation did came here but also they killed Gyatso!"
"Oh no!" Katara said, "That must have triggered his Avatar spirit!"
"Oh Really? And since when are you an expert on all things Avatar related!?" Kuzon shouted sarcastically.
"Anyway we have to try and calm him down!" Katara stated.
"Well better hurry before blows not only us away but maybe the whole mountain!" Sokka held onto one of the rubble as the wind continued to rage on.
Katara and Kuzon both tired to reach Aang but the force of the wind caused them to stop half way but they where near enough for their voices to reach him.
"Aang, I'm sorry for what happened here!" Katara said, "I did not want you to find out this way! And I know you might not think I understand but I do, I went through the same thing when they killed my mom, but that doesn't mean that you are alone!"
"She's right Aang!" Kuzon shouted, "Gyatso and the others are gone but you still have a family!"
"You have Appa and me and long ago I made a promise to Gyatso that I will watch over you! You are not alone!"
Very soon the wind started to die down, the twister was done and Aang gently returned to the ground, but the glow remain.
Kuzon walked in front of Aang and placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at him in the eye, "I meant what I said, Aang" he said softly, "We are sticking together, you and me. I'm not going anywhere without you."
"Neither are we," Sokka said as he and Katara stood behind Aang, "We are not going to let anything happen to you."
As Katara grasped Aang's hand gently the glow faded and Aang collapsed in Katara's arms.
"I'm sorry," Aang said sadly and tired.
"You have nothing to apologize for, buddy," Kuzon said.
"You're where right, Katara," Aang said as a tear fell from his face, "They where here, and that means they must have found the other Air Temples."
"I am the Last Airbender."
No words where said as the four of them kept silent over the stillness in the air.
After a few minutes everyone started to prepare to leave the temple, while everyone was getting ready, Kuzon returned to the now nearly destroyed tent to look at the remains of Gyatso.
"So you guys are all really gone huh?" Kuzon sighed. He looked around at the bodies of the Fire Nation soldiers and gave a chuckle.
"Did you do all that? Never knew you could be so tough." Kuzon looked at the body sadly. "Looks like I won't get to play against you again."
Kuzon then thought back to an old memory of him and the monk.
DAMN IT!" Kuzon shouted at another lose of Pai Sho.
Gyatso laughed, "Perhaps if you spend you time practicing your strategies instead of cheating then you might just win for once."
"Laughed it up now, old man, but someday I will beat you at this stupid game!" Kuzon vowed "This I swear!"
"Well, I look forward when that day eventually comes," Gyatso smiled, "Until then how about another round?"
Kuzon grumbled, "Fine." And started picking his pieces when Gyatso started talking.
"Kuzon, I would like to ask a favor of you."
Kuzon groaned "Oh great now you? Well I tell you like I told you other monk pals, I will not shave my head!"
Gyatso chuckled, "No not that, but it would be a funny thing to see."
"What is it?" Kuzon asked.
"If anything where to happen to me, I want you to be Aang's guardian."
Kuzon dropped his pieces and looked at Gyatso, "What? Are you dying?"
"Nope, I'm still have a couple of more years left in me."
"Then why are you asking me that?"
Gyatso looked at him in the eye, "Someday there might come a time when I won't be there for Aang. And from what I can tell you and Aang share a great bond."
"Well what can I say he grew on me," Kuzon admitted.
Gyatso nodded "And because of that, I can't think of no one else to protect him."
"You do remember he is the Light Avatar," Kuzon said, "He basically protect himself and in case you forgot I'm a nonbender, so what does he need me for?"
"Aang is the Light Avatar yes, but remember he is still Aang, a twelve year old boy and he will need his friends to help him, even if it's just one and I doubt it matters if you can bend or not. He still likes you."
Kuzon rubbed his arm at that, "Well, Kuzon." Kuzon looked at the smiling monk.
"What do you say?"
"I'll do it."
Kuzon rubbed the tears from his cheeks and was about to leave but when he turned around he saw the lemur in front of him, looking up at him.
Kuzon sighed glancing back at Gyatso's body, "This is your doing isn't it?"
"Everything's packed," Katara said, "You ready to go?"
Aang had been looking at Roku's statue since he went back here, hoping for something, but nothing.
"I just don't understand," Aang said, "How is any of this suppose to help me? How's Roku gonna help?"
"I don't know," Katara said, "Maybe you'll find a way."
"Okay guys I'm back," Kuzon said entering.
"Did you find any food?" Sokka pleaded.
"Relax, this guys has it," Kuzon pointed to the lemur holding multiple fruits in its arms and started hopping to Sokka and placed the food at his feet, which he gladly started eating it, while the lemur went back to Kuzon's side.
"Looks like you made a new friend, Kuzon," Aang said.
"Eh, maybe but you also have a new pet." Aang's eyes widen with joy, "Really?" he asked.
Kuzon nodded, "Yep. ON ONE CONDINTON!" Kuzon looked at Aang sternly, "No. More. Pets. This is the only pet you're getting no more animals. Got it?"
Aang nodded as the lemur climbed up on his shoulder, "Hey little guy."
"So what are you going to call him?" Katara asked, then the lemur flew off of Aang's shoulder and stole a fruit from Sokka's hand right before he was about to eat it, then the animal returned to Aang's shoulder.
"I'm thinking, Momo."
Sokka stared blankly at his now empty hand while Kuzon chuckled, "You know I think I'm going to like this new fur ball already."
Soon enough the gang where off, Appa flying away from the air temple while Aang looked back at his old home and kept staring until the temple was covered by the clouds.
Without anyone looking, Kuzon pulled out the old Fire Nation helmet from his bag, as he looked at it, he was reminded of his old life in the Fire Nation, then he looked back at Aang and reminded of the terrible discovery the poor boy had seen, all because of Kuzon's own home nation. Kuzon then looked back at the helmet with rage and disgust and quickly tossed it away, not even watching it's decent.
"Commander Zhao!"
Zhao had just finished putting his armor back on when one of his subordinates entered his tent, "This better be important, I am not in the mood for any unimportant news."
The solider held a piece of paper that looked bend out of shape with words that looked to be poorly written like someone was in a hurry to write it.
"It came from one of our stations at the mining village near the Mo Ce Sea shoreline," the soldier said, "According from what can be read from the message, our men where attacked."
"By Earthbenders?" Zhao asked.
"It's hard to tell, sir," the soldier looked at the message, "From what I can tell it looked to be more then one person but it clearly mentions only one attacker."
"It mentions Earthbending yes, but also Waterbending, even Firebending and…I think this said Air bending?" After hearing that Zhao suddenly took great interest in the message.
"It's odd I know sire, but we do have a description of the attacker," The solider started reading, "The attacker appears to be, in body a young woman wearing a black cloak-"
"And a black mask with red marks on it," Zhao finished. The solider was about to ask how the commander knew that part without looking at the message but Zhao walked towards him and looked right at him.
"Does anyone else know about this?" Zhao demanded.
"No sir, I received the messenger Hawk before anyone else and you are the only one I showed it to." The solider started sweating when Zhao raised a hand to him, but Zhao just took the message and looked over it.
He smiled as he used Firebending to burn the message, "Inform our men to move out to the Earth Kingdom as soon as possible."
"Yes sir!" the solider saluted and left the tent as Zhao looked at the map.
"Let the banished prince go after the light. I will seek out the dark."
Half of the village was burning or crushed by jagged boulders, the Earth Kingdom citizens of this village all stood in a huddle as they watched in horror at the sight before them.
For on the ground lay the broken, burned, squashed bodies of Fire Nation soldiers, except one who was shaking in terror and tired to make a run for it out of the village when he was stopped as a boulder fell on him.
The attacker stood in the middle of the village, observing her handy work. She wore a cloak covering her entire body with the exception of her arms that where wrapped in bandages and hood only showing the masked face, nearly featureless with the exception of two eye holes.
The attacker started leaving the village when one of the villagers, a young man started walking towards her.
"Haru don't!" his mother grabbed him before he could get near the stranger. "Don't get near her!"
"But mother didn't you see what she did?" Haru said, "She could help us! She could help me find Farther and the others and stop the Fire Nation once and for all."
"My foolish boy," His mother said her eyes still showing fear for the stranger, "That woman is not who will need, haven't you remembered the legends?"
"That is the Dark Avatar."
The Dark Avatar ignored the villagers as she continued on her way, they where not what she seek and those foolish Ash Makers where idiots for getting in her way and they paid the price for it. Now she goes hunting the one she truly seeks, hunting the one that she is destined to fight.
Hunting the one that sealed her fate forever more!
"Aang."
Author's Note: Well this one was short, well as short as the last one. So now you guys have a little taste of the Dark Avatar, but she wont get to meet Aang until a few chatpers.
Also I want everyone to know in case you where disappointed on the part where Zuko and Zhao fought, I'm not very good at describing fight scenes from time to time but I will try my best in the future and I will accept advice for this sort of things.
And once again I will accept any ideas from fellow fans of the show and readers of this story for any ideas of this new Avatar universe or changes that could work
Anyway the next chapter will be at Kyoshi Island.