The Mysterious Traveler
Alright, a couple of things I need to go over first.
Some of you who have been followers/reviewers of this fanfic since the first chapter might remember this story first appearing in the category of only just 'Harry Potter'. Well, I need to address that a certain reviewer, named 'pfft' (odd name choice, but okay), called me out on why I didn't put this into the crossover section. Well, as it turned out, I didn't even know that one existed until that reviewer pointed that out. So I made some changes and put this story under the crossover of 'Harry Potter & Avatar: The Last Airbender'. There, now everyone is happy! ;)
And second, I will be skipping some story-arc episodes later in the story. Reason being is because I don't wish to fully recreate scenes unless if I feel it is necessary. Now, sometimes I may start off in the middle or end of an episode, or even just mention it but gloss over it.
Again, please watch the tv show if you haven't already and wish to see it as its originally presented, without SPOILERS.
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own Harry Potter or Avatar: The Last Airbender! If I did, some things will be different and the Great Divide wouldn't exist. ;)
Please enjoy Chapter 5! :)
Chapter Five:
The Visit to the Southern Air Temple
After the incident with Fire Prince Zuko, the group had traveled beyond the borders of the freezing South Pole and made their way to the Southern Air Temple, reaching the Patola Mountains of the Southern Air Nomad territories. Resting next to a river bank, they set up camp for the night and awoke the next morning, feeling refreshed and ready to resume their journey. As Aang fed Appa, both Katara and Severus packed everything, while Sokka continued to sleep in his sleeping bag on the ground.
"It's going to be weird having to no longer wear these furry coats anymore," said Katara. "All my life, all I've ever known was the South Pole and the cold."
"No worries, you'll get used to the warm weather," Aang tried to cheer her up. "And besides, once we reach the North Pole, you'll be needing those again."
"True."
Once Severus was done helping pack, he sat down on the saddle and took his Hogwarts robes out, spreading them across the saddle. Taking his wand, he began casting a spell to change the style of his robes and erasing certain parts. The names of Hogwarts and Slytherin, and the greenish stripes were removed, leaving the robes completely black. He even casted a spell to make the robes longer, seeing as he seemed to haved gained more height.
"Okay, I still cannot get over that," Katara looked at him in awe. "How are you able to do this, Alex?"
Severus was annoyed with the girl, hating that she was asking so many questions about him. The last thing he needed was to share his past life with someone he barely knew. Let alone actually get attached to any of them, especially since he planned on going back to his homeworld the first chance he got.
Ever since escaping the one named Zuko, Severus was attacked by questions by Katara, Aang, and even Sokka. They would always try to make small talk, trying to get a conversation going, but when the moment came to ask their questions, he would always find a way to avoid answering them. And while his unpleasant attitude kept Aang and Sokka at arms-length, it was Katara who seemed to be the biggest challenge for him.
"Long story," he replied.
Katara frowned at him, "Well, we're going to be in each other's company for a while, and the journey is going to be long."
Severus ignored her as he continued to work on his robes, making sure he got every single detail right.
Katara sighed, angry that the mysterious boy's refusal to be social. It only continued to raise her suspicion and curiosity of him, making her all the more determined to learn his secrets.
While Severus was still letting the fact sink in that he could do wandless magic, even wordless, there was a part of him that was happy for it. In fact, he was excited about the discovery. If there were no wizards in this world, getting a new wand if he ever needed a replacement would prove to be difficult. And it opened the door for possibilities and new skills to learn. But it was also something he needed to look into whenever he wasn't in the company of the three he was with. He needed to know how this was possible and how to maintain this ability.
Realizing the tension, Aang tried to change the subject.
"Wait till you see the Southern Air Temple, Katara," he tightened the rope around Appa's horns. "It's one of the most beautiful places in the world, only rivaled by the Northern Air Temple."
"Aang, I know you're excited, but it has been over a hundred years since you've been home."
Severus could sense a mix of sadness, fear, and pity in her voice, making him sneer.
"That's why I'm so excited."
"But it's just that... a lot can change in all of that time."
Severus wondered what she meant by 'change', especially with the way she had said it.
"I know, but I need to see it for myself," Aang hopped off of Appa, using his airbending to float to the ground, which was something that Severus was still getting used to seeing from him, including the waterbending from Katara.
He watched as the monk approached Sokka, who was still asleep.
"Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple, here we come!"
Sokka moaned and opened his eyes, upset at being disturbed from his slumber.
"Sleep now, temple later," he rolled to his side.
Although he didn't see it, Severus could have sworn he felt Aang smile mischievously, watching him reach down and grab a stick, using it to draw a series of circles on Sokka's sleeping bag.
"Sokka, wake up!" Aang cried out, faking a concerned voice. "There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!"
Feeling something press against his chest and slither around, Sokka's eyes widened as he cried out in terror, somehow managing to fly up from the ground and hop a couple of feet.
"Aah! Get it off! Get it off!"
He tripped on a rock and fell on his stomach.
Katara laughed at the sight of him, while Severus sneered.
"Great, you're awake! Let's go!" Aang smiled down at Sokka, who was now fully awake and angry at the early-uprising.
Once boarding Appa and putting out the fire, they then began their journey to the Southern Air Temple. While on the way, Severus heard Sokka asking what happened to his seal jerky, only to learn that it was used in getting the fire started the night before by Aang, explaining why the fire smelt so good.
Severus couldn't help but wonder why the monk would think that it would be used as firewood, as it resembled nothing like the sort.
Zuko wasn't in a happy mood when he docked onto one of the Fire Nation's harbors that was closest to his location. He had lost the Avatar, got his ship damaged, and was forced to go on a wild goose chase after the only person who could help him reclaim his honor and birthright. But despite all of that, he was more angry at the other one who was with the Avatar... Alexander Prince!
Never before had anyone both intrigued and infuriated him at the same time. His sister must definitely brought out the worst of him, while Iroh brought the intrigue, but this one had a way of getting both from him. The things that he could do amazed him and terrified him.
Just who was he? What was he? Where did he come from? And what was his connection to the Avatar?
Knowing he would find no answers at the harbor, both he and his Uncle set out to make arrangements to have their ship repaired as fast as possible as they docked next to warships bigger than their own, walking across the sand to the nearest mechanics.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail."
"You mean the Avatar-"
"Don't mention his name on these docks!" he warned, turning towards his uncle. "If word gets out that he's alive, every Firebender will be out looking for him! And I don't want anyone getting in the way!"
"Getting in the war of what, Prince Zuko?"
Zuko and Iroh turned to the source of the voice, instantly recongizing the person it belonged to.
"Captain Zhao!" Zuko sneered.
"It's Commander now," Zhao smiled as he approached them.
"Congradulations on the promotion, Commander," Iroh bowed.
"General Iroh, great hero of our nation," Zhao bowed in return. "It's an honor to have you on one of my docks."
"Retired general."
"Retired or banished," Zuko glared at him, "the Fire Lord's brother and son are welcomed guests anytime. What brings you to my habor?"
"Our ship is in need of repairs," Iroh turned to the ship behind him.
Zhao raised an eyebrow, "That's quite a bit of damage."
"Yes, we had an encounter with... um," he leaned into his nephew. "What? Did we crash or something?"
Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes, "We had an encounter an Earth Kingdom ship."
"Really?" Zhao smiled. "You must regale me with all the thrilling details." He leaned in. "Join me for a drink?"
"Sorry, but we have work to do," Zuko turned to live, only for his Uncle's hand to touch his shoulder.
"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect. And besides, I'm thirsty after such a long voyage." Iroh bowed. "We would be honored to join you."
Zhao smiled, "No need to worry, Prince Zuko. My men will see to it that your ship is repaired to the best of its condition."
"Speaking of the best, do you have any jasime or ginseng tea? They're my favorite."
Zuko grunted, unleashing his anger through some flames as he followed the two older men from behind. Though he was no friends with the man, he knew that he needed to be on his best behavior in his presence, not wanting to draw any attention towards the reason why he was at the harbor. For the next couple of hours, the three of them sat in comfy chairs around a small table, drinking their beverages.
Zhao went on to gloat about the Fire Lord's plan to conquer the Earth Kingdom by the beginning of summer, standing in front of a large map of the Four Kingdoms, while Iroh was accidentally knocking over things as he looked at the Commander's personal belongings.
"The Drill Project has been approved and will see completion before summer, and once the walls have been breached, the entire force of the Fire Nation will lead a full scale invasion. And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom's capital will be under our rule. A victory that will finally end this long war, once and for all!"
Anger burned deep in Zuko as he listened, knowing that the clock was against him more than ever before.
"If my father thinks that the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool!"
Zhao grinned as he sat down, "Two years at sea has done little to temper your tongue. So, how is search for the Avatar going?"
Iroh, meanwhile, accidently knocked some weapons down, catching his attention, "Uh.. My fault, entirely."
"We haven't found him yet," he replied.
"Did you really expect to?" Zhao began to taunt him. "The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the Airbenders. And the fact he hasn't been reborn proves that the cycle has been broken."
There was a need within Zuko to prove him wrong, that he had seen the Avatar himself. But he withheld his tongue, something he instantly realized was a mistake.
Zhao's eyes narrowed at him and smiled, "Unless, of course, you've found some evidence that the Avatar is alive..."
He quickly looked him in the eyes, declaring, "No, nothing. Just like last time."
He turned away as fast as he said the words, realizing that he was making his situation even more complicated.
"Prince Zuko!" Zhao rose from his seat and approached him, bending down. "The Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you even have an ouch of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."
Keeping his anger contained, Zuko looked him in the eyes and replied in a strong voice, "I haven't found anything. But I promise you that my loyalty to the Fire Nation and to my father is what drives me to find him. And I will find him!"
Zhao nodded, rubbing his chin.
Iroh took his seat and drank from cup, "I've noticed that some of your men are ill, Commander."
Zhao nodded, "Yes, some of the soldiers have gotten sick just a while back. Coincidentely, it happened right when a yellow light was reported to have been seen traveling acoss the sky, like a wave. And we weren't the only ones to have seen it either. Every Fire Nation station around the world has been it. It's even caght the Fire Lord's attention, who is ordering an investigation to its point of origin."
Anxiety coursing through him, Zuko quickly rose from his seat and walked right past him, "Come on, Uncle! We're leaving now!"
However, the guards at the entrance blocked his way with their staffs.
"What is this?!" Zuko demanded.
A man walked right on in, approaching Zhao.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed," the man reported. "They confirmed that Prince Zuko had the Avatar and another individual in his custody, but let them escape."
Zhao smiled and approached the young Fire Prince, "Now remind me, Prince Zuko, how exactly your ship was damaged. I seemed to have been misinformed."
Zuko sighed to himself, staring off into the distance with anger and resignation. Now he knew for certain that his attempt to keep the incident with the Avatar a secret was a doomed failure since the beginning. Of course, people would start asking questions, and he only added to the Commander's suspicions. He closed his eyes in defeat as he was led back to his seat, along with his Uncle.
Against his better judgment, he began to answer Zhao's questions.
A while later, the interrogation began to reach its end.
"So, tell me about this other individual," Zhao studied the young Prince, looking for signs of any lying on his part. There was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"I don't know," Zuko replied. "All I know is that he fought alongside the Avatar and helped him escape."
"And how did they escape in open water?"
"With the help of a flying bison and two others," knowing fully well that they knew about that part too. "Are you done?"
"Not quite. I wish to know more about this second person that you captured and lost. My men have been hearing strange things about him from your crew. Apparently, he could do... things. Using a stick to perform abilities that no bender has ever done, almost as if it was magic of some sorts. What was his name?"
Zuko kept silent, knowing that this was one part of the story that they didn't know, "He didn't say."
"So a twelve-year-old boy and a mysterious individual of maybe sixteen-years bested you and your Firebenders," his voice was full of amusement and disgust, unable to face the Fire Prince at the moment. "You're a far more disgrace than your father gave you credit."
"I underestimated both of them once, but it will not happen again!" he declared, struggling to control his anger.
"No, it will not!" Zhao spoke with certainty. "Because you won't have that second chance."
Zuko's eyes went wide, desperate, "Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years, and-"
"You failed!" Zhao spun around, sending a small wave of fire into the air. "Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in the hands of a teenager. And now with this mysterious individual running around with him, with abilities that no one has ever come across before, the Fire Nation must treat this as an active threat. Those two are my responsibility now!"
Zuko flew from his chair, with full intention to strike the high ranking officer, only to be restrained by two guards from behind.
"Keep them here," Zhao commanded his officers, leaving the tent.
Still swimming in his anger, Zuko kicked the table and flipped it on its back, breaking the glasses of tea.
Iroh looked down on the mess and then held up his cup to the guards, "More tea, please."
The group had arrived at the Southern Air Temple, landing Appa on one of the old platforms that the Airbenders had used for their flying bisons. Aang was the one who was the most excited for them all, with Sokka being the only one who wasn't interested. After unpacking their things from Appa and freeing him of the saddle to rest, the four of them made their way up a series of trails, trying to reach the upper levels of the Southern Temple. Sokka kept on asking for food, which irritated Katara but also amused her, considering that they were visiting an ancient site that possibly no one had set foot on for one hundred years.
They reached an area that had large sticks sticking up from the ground, which Aang explained was used to play a form of Airball. However, he appeared to be saddened by the fact that none of his people, lemurs or bisons were around, which got Sokka to ask him if he wanted to play the game, as a way to make him feel better.
While the two of them were playing Airball, Severus took his chance to approach Katara.
"Can you believe that we're finally seeing one of the Ancient Air Temples, Alex?" she asked him.
Taking a look around, he shrugged and replied, "I'll admit that I appreciate the structure and am impressed that they built this place so high up, but it's nothing truly spectacular. Especially since it must get cold up here."
The Water Tribe girl frowned at him, "Okay, seriously, why are you always like that?"
"Like what?"
"Reserved and unpleasant!" she folded her arms on her chest. "Why can't you enjoy things like the rest of us?"
He remained silent, only staring at her.
"Ugh!" she rolled her eyes. "Why won't you say anything about yourself? What about your family or friends? You seemed so interested in getting back before, but ever since we rescued you and Aang from that crazy, scarred-face jerk, you seem like you're dreading going back. Aang told me that you avoided the subject with him when he asked you. So I can't help but wonder why."
An idea popped into Severus's head, slightly smirking.
"I'll make you a deal. Tell me about what this Avatar business is, including how the Airbenders are related, and I promise to tell you something about me."
Katara was taken back, but also suspicious.
"Really? You'll tell me where you come from and how you can do those... things, as long as I tell you about the Avatar?"
Severus nodded.
Smiling with excitement, she immediately began, "Alright, so there are four types of benders in the world. Earthbenders, Waterbenders, Airbenders and Firebenders, all born with these abilities through their ancestors who once wield them."
"Yes, Aang told me about the benders. What I'm curious about is the Avatar."
Katara glared at him, "The Avatar is the only one who can do all four. I'm not sure how the cycle began, but legend says that the Mantle of the Avatar is passed down from person to person. Like the cycle of the seasons, every Avatar that dies is reborn as a new person. And it always follows a certain order, like the seasons do."
"Wait, cycle? You mean that the Avatar resurrects as a brand-new person?"
"Well... not exactly like that. Yes, the Avatar Spirit itself is reborn into a new person, but the legend highly hints that the Avatar Spirit and the spirit of the person it is hosting are both different, but yet one and the same as well."
"Like a seed within an apple," Severus realized. "While the host may die, the spirit itself moves on, like a seed does when an apple reaches its end."
"I guess that is one way of looking at it."
"But what does the Avatar have to do with the Airbenders and this war?"
Katara raised her eyebrow at him, curious about why he doesn't know about this knowledge, "Well, the cycle of the Avatar is like the cycle of the seasons, as I've already said. When each Avatar dies, the next one will be a bender of a certain element. First is Air, then Water, then Earth, and Fire as last. It always repeats this process over and over again, but they always have to master the elements in order to reach their full potential."
They heard one of the boys cry out, turning to look before resuming.
"Anyway, a hundred years ago, the Fire Nation attacked all of the Air Temples around the world. They had hoped to kill the Avatar, which was supposed to be Aang. However, Aang wasn't here, and his people were wiped out, leading to the war that is still going on to this day. The Southern Water Tribe was hit next, shrinking us over the years... leaving only me as the final Waterbender in all of the South Pole. Now, only the Earth Kingdom and the Northern Water Tribe are all that stands against the Fire Nation. Other than Aang, of course."
"So there was peace before?"
Katara sadly nodded, "When my Gran-Gran was a little girl, she was told stories by her mother of the times before the war. When all the nations were living together in harmony. I don't know how it happened, but something changed the Fire Nation to make them want to take over everything else. Only the Avatar could stop them, which was why they attacked the Air Nomads first. It was a massacre, from what I was told."
Severus nodded as he realized, "He doesn't know, does he."
Katara's eyes widened as she turned towards Aang's way and then back to Severus again, "Please Alex, we mustn't tell him about what has happened here!"
"Not surprised that he hasn't figured it out yet, considering is inability to," he replied, almost as if he didn't hear her. "You're only preventing the inevitable by not telling him."
"But he can't know, Alex," there were tears in her eyes now. "It'll break him."
"One way or another, he's going to find out. I won't tell him, but you should."
He walked right past her, hoping his words broke through to her.
"Hey, wait!" she ran after him. "I told you something, now you've got to tell me something about you."
Severus sneered, "I'm a liar."
"UGH!" she screamed, catching the attention of her brother, who was then hit by an airball and sent right through a goal-box-like-structure. "HOW CAN YOU BE SO INFURIATING!"
The sound of her angry voice made him smile, only to vanish when it reminded him of someone else he used to do it to.
Sokka and Aang made their way towards them, panting from all of the fun and aching.
"Come on guys, there's a whole lot more of the temple to see!" Aang cried out as he ran up a new trail, leaving them behind.
"Making him feel better is putting me in a world of hurt," Sokka complained.
Severus rolled his eyes.
After a little while longer of following Aang's lead, both Katara and Sokka got into a conversation about Aang, when they knew for sure that he couldn't overhear them. Severus listened as they argued about telling the monk about what happened to his people, going back and forth about the reasons for going through with it and not.
They then found Aang in front of a statue of a monk, who the kid identified as Monk Gyatso, explaining that he was his mentor and best friend growing up, bowing with respect towards the statue.
Severus felt a small amount of jealousy towards him.
Pushing those feelings aside, he continued along with them as they searched the temple, following Aang inside as he explained that there was someone he had to meet at the Air Temple Sanctuary. Going down a long tunnel of some sorts, they arrived at a large door, with strange symbols and structures on it. When asked how to get inside, Aang used his airbending to blow air into a series of pipes that were hooked on the door and watched as it opened for them.
The Airbender went in first, followed by them next. Allowing their eyes to adjust to the darkness of the vast room, they started to realize that the entire room was filled with huge statues of different people. As Sokka complained about there being no food, the rest of them looked around and began to inspect the statues.
Katara finally fingered it out that all of the statues of people were past Avatars, going in the order of each one's lives and the element of bending. Although Sokka was more skeptic, Katara fully believed it with every word she spoke.
Reaching the final statue, they all stared up at it, with Aang identifying him as Avatar Roku, the previous life before him. Hearing that his past life was a Firebender made Sokka joke that he now knew why he didn't trust him at first.
During their conversation about the statue, there was a noise at the entrance of the large sanctuary, forcing them to hide.
Getting ready for a fight, Severus rolled his eyes again as the two siblings whispered at one another be quiet. Jumping from their hiding spot, they stopped at the sight of a lemur, allowing them to relax.
"Lemur!" Aang cried out.
"Dinner!" Sokka drooled at the sight of the animal.
The lemur titled its head at them, curious.
"Don't listen to him," said Aang. "You're gonna be my new pet."
Great! Severus sighed. Because one wasn't enough already.
"Not if I get him first!"
The two boys ran for the creature, spooking it as it ran away in fear.
Katara laughed as they ran off after the lemur, while Severus shook his head.
Okay, I'm cutting it right here. I apologize guys, but I want to keep these chapters short, for certain reasons. One of which is that I made the mistake of doing way too long chapters in Redemption, so I'm not looking to make the same mistake here. I already wrote a little more than this, but I'm going to put it in the next chapter.
Anyway, are you guys still interested in seeing this story continued. Well, you can help keep me stay in the mood and in high spirits by posting a review, even if its a small one. :)
Thanks for the support so far guys and I'll (hopefully) see you in Chapter 6! :)