Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to the series nor do I own any other media, entertainment, etc mentioned in this story. This is purely a work of entertainment. I claim nothing as my own.
"Limit Sky"
CH6
~ Gangs, Graffiti and Neon Night Lights ~
Two months later…
Sokka exits the house through the back door, his book bag slung over his shoulder. He sees Katara hanging clothes on the line, earbuds in her ears and humming a tune. He is drawn to her smile and scowls for a moment before stalking up beside her. She bends over to pull a pair of jeans from the basket beside her and pins them on the line. Sokka coughs, finally gathering her attention but not without startling her.
"Jeez Sokka! You scared me half to death!" she pulls out an earbud and frowns at him.
"I've been standing here for thirty seconds," he grumbles, "Which is plenty of time for someone to sneak up on you! You shouldn't be outside alone with headphones in! It's not safe!"
Katara crosses her arms, "Ugh, would you knock it off? It's still daylight out. I'm perfectly fine." She eyes his bag, "Where are you off to?"
"The library… I got exams on Monday so I'll be cramming the whole weekend. I also got something to pick up for my computer…." He trails off, stroking his chin. "I should grab that first." He snaps his finger, "Oh yeah! I got a new mod I want you to test for me."
She blinks, "OK… This one isn't too hard is it? No more dog Birkin in the red hall, right?"
He smirks, "You'll see. And what's all this about 'hard'? You better get gud."
Katara frowns, "Games don't have to be hard to be fun, you know!"
"Says every scrub ever."
Before she can bite back, the two flinch as the bells of the Clock Tower ring out in the air. "I-I'm still not used to that yet." She sighs.
"Me neither," Sokka says. "But that means it's 3 o'clock! So, I'm gonna get going."
"OK, but be back before it's too late."
"Thanks, mom, I'll be sure to do that." Sokka rolls his eyes, "By the way, curfew has been extended until 9pm, so, I'll be back late. Don't wait up!" He turns to walk away.
"Be safe! See you later!" She calls behind him.
Arriving downtown, Sokka makes a quick stop at the electronics store and then heads towards the library. As he exits the store, he sees a dramatic and colorful display along the wall of a nearby department store. He approaches, reads the name to himself and then turns away back towards the library.
"Sokka!"
Sokka smiles as Suki approaches him, her arms full of books. "Suki," he greets her with his chin held high, "Whatever do I owe this pleasure?"
"Are you down here for the Light Show?"
He raises a brow, "Light Show?"
"Yeah, the Neon Lights Showcase! Didn't you see the graffiti everywhere? Every store within 10 miles will have Neon signs posted and everything! At nightfall, the city's about to light up!"
"Whoa, really?! Now that I think about it, I've seen quite a few on my way here. I was wondering what that was about. So, that's why they extended the curfew today?"
Suki nods, "Actually, curfew is dismissed altogether for tonight. I guess they want to treat us since we've been essentially grounded for months." She looks at his backpack, "I see you've got some studying to do? Me too. Maybe we could study together and then go to the showcase?"
Sokka makes a face, "I dunno… I mean, wouldn't that make this a… date?"
She rolls her eyes, but doesn't lose her smile, "Whatever. I'll just be glad to spend the night down here with someone."
"Fine. What time's the light show?"
"Nightfall."
"Alright, well, we got a couple hours. Let's go get our study on while we can."
Katara lays across her bed, scrolling through a streaming app on her laptop. As soon as her phone vibrates beside her, she rolls over onto her back and smiles, answering. "Hey Aang, what's up?"
"Miss Katara," he greets grandly, "How are you, milady?"
She shakes her head, "I'm great, how are you, Mister Aang?"
"Great! Are you busy?"
"No, why?"
"Do you want to come downtown with me?"
Katara's smile fades and she bites her lip, "I-I don't know. Last time I was downtown…"
"I know, but this is a great opportunity to see downtown in a new light!" Aang assures on the other end, "You deserve to have a positive experience with downtown and I know just the thing!"
"Really? What's that?"
"There's a Neon Light Show downtown tonight! You should come, it's gonna be awesome!"
Katara twirls her hair in her finger, "I don't know…"
"Well, OK, I don't want to push you…"
She sighs, "Aang… Promise me you won't leave my side."
There's silence on the other end.
"Aang?"
"Katara, you have nothing to be afraid of. I'll be right there by your side. I promise."
She smiles and hops up from bed, "Alright, where are we meeting?"
"I'll be at your house in ten minutes!"
"KK, bye!" She hangs up the phone and looks around, frantic. "I forgot he runs fast!"
She races over to her closet and proceeds to destroy her room, searching through her clothes.
Katara opens the front door to see Aang standing at the bottom of the stairs. He greets her with a wave and grin as she rushes down the stairs to him. He rubs the back of his head, blushing at her. She brushes past him and they walk away from her home.
"So, what time does the light show start?"
"As soon as it gets dark."
Katara checks her phone, "It's only 5. It won't start getting dark for another 4 or so hours."
"Uh, yeah…" He says sheepishly, averting his gaze to hide his blushing cheeks.
She tilts her head at him. "Is something on your mind?"
Aang makes a face and joins his hands behind his back, "I guess I should tell you this first."
"Tell me what?"
Aang sighs, "I'll be leaving for the summer."
"What?" Katara's features drop into a pout, "Why? Where are you going?"
"Roku's Island. The White Lotus is having an assembly there to discuss some things and Gyatso wants me there."
"The White Lotus?" Katara gasps, "Does Gyatso work with them?"
"Yeah, he's got connections with people all over the world, including Roku himself."
"You know the leader of the White Lotus, Master Roku?" Aang nods, "Wow… I guess that's how you know Master Pakku then. He told me he still works with the White Lotus from time to time." Aang continues to nod, "Will you, you know, be coming back?"
"Oh, yeah, I'll be back! But I just won't be able to spend the entire summer with you like we hoped… I'm sorry…" he perks up, "But that's why I want you to come with me today. We're gonna spend as much time together as possible until the day I have to leave, got it?"
Katara smiles, "You mean it?"
"Yeah, for the next… how ever many days we have left of school, my time will be devoted to you, the farm and getting ready for graduation!"
"Sounds great. So, now what do we do?"
Aang grins and points to a sign nearby a store at the corner of the street. "We're gonna take the bus downtown!"
"This uh… isn't how I imagined this would go…"
As more people board the bus, Aang and Katara are forced to press further into each other. A gentleman in a suit has his back against her own and with every new passenger, she is crushed between him and her new friend.
Aang holds the bar with one hand and has the other shoved in his pocket. Katara has one hand on the bar and the other clutching her purse between herself and Aang, that is until another shove from the front and she removes it from between them, cradling it in her free hand instead. Katara gasps as her entire front is squished against Aang.
Aang looks everywhere but at her. Being pressed against him long enough, Katara sighs and rests her hair against his, forced to look in a single direction now.
"This is starting to hurt…"
"Is it me?" Aang whispers.
She shakes her head, "No, the ride, the people… It's making me feel a little claustrophobic."
"Yeah…" she fails to notice the redness on his face. "Do you… Wanna get off?"
"Yes, please."
Just as they shift to ring the bell, a passenger in the seat beside them stands. Katara tries to squeeze around them but when she gets through, she falls into the open seat. Aang gives her a thumbs up. She shakes her head with a giggle and settles into her new seat with a smile.
"Feel better?" He asks. She nods, "Wanna ride the rest of the way then? We're not too far anymore."
"Are you OK?" She gestures to the people he's sandwiched between.
"Yeah! I'll be fine. This is no biggie for me."
Katara mutters an OK, and pulls out her phone, but her eyes travel to Aang's arm where he holds the bar. In his sleeveless orange T-shirt, Katara's eyes can trace the pattern of his intricate blue tattoos. It travels out from the light hair of his arm pit and swerves out from beneath his tricep to his lean but toned forearm and onto the back of his palm. Katara traces the line back and forth with her eyes.
When the bus comes to an abrupt stop, the crowd of standing passengers is thrust forward. Katara gasps and watches as her friend is lunged forward. She's on her feet in an instant, seizing him by the forearm that was once on the bar and in one swift motion, as the passengers settle into place, she tugs Aang into the seat with her.
Aang looks over his shoulder at her, "Nice save!"
She smiles, wrapping her arms around his middle and shifting his weight on her lap. "You should just stay here the rest of the ride."
While some on the bus snicker at the two, Aang shrugs and shifts a bit until he's comfortable, then leans back against her, putting the back of his head on her shoulder. He pulls out his phone and begins to play games. Katara shakes her head, but says nothing. She puts her chin on his shoulder and watches him play games the remainder of the ride.
Having arrived at the library a while ago, Sokka and Suki sit side by side at a round wooden table on the second floor. The table is littered with heavy open textbooks, notebooks and crumbled discarded sheets of paper. Suki flips through pages, taking notes while Sokka buries his attention in his text.
Sokka, beginning to doze off, jerks awake at the sound of wheels approaching.
"Go on, Teo. Let me know if you find it!"
"Yes, dad."
Sokka watches as a teenage boy, wheels around the bookshelves in the vicinity. His cerulean eyes fix on the wheelchair he's bound to. As he draws near, Sokka calls out to him. "Hey, kid!"
Teo pauses, pointing to himself as Sokka nods. He scoots closer, "Yeah?"
"Your wheelchair, it's freaking amazing! Who designed it?"
"My dad," Teo explains with a smile, "He's a Mechanist."
"Where is he? I need to meet him!"
Suki watches, eyebrows scrunched together as Teo points Sokka off in a direction and he heads off. He disappears behind a bookshelf and Suki turns to see Teo staring at her, his cheeks glowing pink. She raises a brow, but smiles at him. He waves at her. She waves back. He finally looks away, just as Sokka returns with a peculiar looking man.
Most of the hair on Teo's father is his mustache and beard, but his eyebrows are in tatters and he is balding on top of his head. Nonetheless, he has a cheery disposition as he smiles down at Suki where she sits.
"Hello there!"
Suki smiles, nodding a hello to him. Sokka gestures to her from beside the man, "That's Suki. She's nobody." Suki sticks her tongue out at him.
Sokka ignores her and starts digging through his backpack. He pulls out a sketchbook and hands it to the Mechanist. The Mechanist flips through the pages and quickly expresses his awe. "Very impressive, young man!" He praises.
Adjusting his collar, Sokka shrugs, "I know, I know, I'm a genius. But what I really would love your advice about is on page 47."
The Mechanist flips to said page and gasps, "A supercomputer?"
"Yup, I'm going to build my own one day."
"Oh my word! I would love to help you with this endeavor!"
"Really?!"
"Of course!"
As the two begin a series of tech talk, Suki glances back and forth between the two and Teo. He appears as lost as she does. Suki sighs, and with a shrug, she returns to burying her face in her books.
Katara stares worriedly at her friend. Aang has long zoned off, staring at the price board. He has that far away look in his eyes, a bead of sweat trickles down his forehead. Her fingers curl half around his firm bicep. She calls out his name and glances back to the usher behind the glass. His brow is raised.
"Hey kid, are you buying tickets or not?"
With a nervous chuckle, Katara pulls Aang out of the line and around the corner where they have privacy. "Aang, what's wrong with you?"
He blinks at her, "Huh?"
She sighs, shaking her head, "Are the prices for movies always so high downtown?"
"That's uh, that's actually higher than normal." He scratches the back of his head, "I can't even imagine what the concession stand will look like."
"Yeah… Well, at least I have something to look forward to while you're away this summer." Aang tilts his head. "I'm gonna start babysitting this summer. No more borrowing from Sokka."
Aang sulks, "I'm sorry, Katara… I actually had more than this but uh… "
"If you spent it earlier, I understand. I just thought it might be fun to watch a movie to kill time but we don't have to, we can do something cheaper."
"Yeah, spent it." He grumbles with a sigh.
"Did… did someone take your money or something?" She asks.
"Eh, don't worry about it." Aang waves it off with a nervous grin.
"Aang, if you're being picked on at school, you should tell a teacher. Master Pakku has never been one to tolerate bullies."
Aang groans, "I have told teachers. I have told everyone… but they don't believe me."
Katara narrows her eyes, "What? Why?"
He looks her dead in the face. "Because the school bully is a five foot tall blind girl."
Silence envelops them.
Katara sniffles. Aang looks at her, his jaw drops before he pouts. "Katara! Don't laugh!"
"I'm sorry, It's just… I'm confused." She tries to hide her smile behind her hand.
"See? No one believes me." Aang throws up his hands and turns away from her.
Katara, still smiling, places a hand on his shoulder and turns him back to her. "I want to but, I don't understand? She's blind?" He nods. "How does she…?"
"I dunno but she's brutal, trust me. Tiny. But brutal."
"Aang, you're how tall?"
"5"8 now, but that's besides the point! She gets away with her tyranny because she's tiny and blind and no one believes any of us when we tell on her." Aang shoves his hands into his pants pockets and kicks at a rock with his sneakers. "It's so annoying."
Katara pats his back, "I believe you." He looks at her with a raised brow, "Really, I believe you. Now cheer up! We still have a couple of hours before it gets dark! Let's find something else to do."
Aang holds out his hand with a crooked grin. Katara places her hand in his. He tugs her behind him. Soon, they are running through the crowded streets and through back alleys. A smile sticks to Katara's face. There's so much color all around from graffiti. A couple of times, she stops Aang so they can admire some of the art.
They come to a back alley basketball court. Teenage boys are deep in the midst of a game. On the side lines, some girls sit on bleachers chatting and some are skipping rope. A graffiti portrait of a jolly man with a silver beard and hair adorns one wall and the ground is plastered with illegible words painted to pop out with multiple shades of green, white and orange.
Katara points to the drawing of the man, "That's Mayor Iroh!"
Aang watches her go up to the portrait. She runs her hand over the brick wall. Aang glances over his shoulder as a hand rests there. A guy, one who was previously playing ball, grins at him and gestures to Katara. Aang gives him a quick fist bump just as Katara comes back toward him.
"Who was that?" She asks as the guy jogs away to rejoin the others.
"No one," Aang coos as her hand slips into his own again. "Hey, uh, let's not spoil too much of the graffiti and stuff yet. The real show starts after dark!"
"You're right… Hmm… Sokka told me there's an arcade here somewhere. We should be able to afford that. Maybe we could go there?"
Aang's jaw drops, "You wanna play games?! Wow, you're like the coolest girl ever!"
Katara smirks, "Sure am. Come on, lead the way!"
The two arrive at the Bosco Arcade not long afterwards and dive right in. They play House of the Dead and make it pretty far before losing. Next, they try Time Crisis, Tekken, Street Fighter and then a couple racing games. They settle on a draw with the racing games. They even get in a game of bowling, with Aang winning by one point.
Katara scowls at this but Aang offers to make it up to her. He wins her a stuffed polar bear dog from a toy crane. Katara hugs it close and Aang grins at her.
And then, Aang sets his sights on a game that has him giddy with joy.
As it lights up, Aang points it out to Katara. "Look! Dance Dance Revolution! Katara, you gotta watch me!"
Katara watches her friend race up to the machine, toss in his coins and start moving to the music. As the difficulty increases, Aang continues to match the competition with a huge grin the entire time. He even adds his own flare, twisting and leaping from time to time. Katara cheers for him, and soon realizes she isn't the only one.
Onlookers begin to swarm them. Katara yelps as she is crushed between people for the second time on this adventure with her new friend, Aang. Aang doesn't notice with his back to her, he just keeps going. As the area continues to be swamped, Katara is pushed closer and closer to Aang. No longer behind him, she approaches him from the side.
Katara gasps in horror as she is shoved forward.
"Oof!"
"Oh, hey, Katara!" Aang greets her, wrapping his arm around her waist. He twirls around and in one swift motion, lifts her onto his back. Katara is quick to wrap her legs around his waist and arms around his neck.
Aang misses no beat, he continues to dance like his feet are on fire.
When the music finally stops, the crowd goes wild.
Aang jumps up and down, throwing his fists into the air as the cheers rise.
Katara squeezes him around the neck, "Aang, that was awesome!"
He blushes, but sends a grin over his shoulder at her. "Thanks!"
She climbs off of him, carefully pulling down her skirt as people rush over congratulating him and giving him high fives. Katara laughs beside him, until something catches her eye. Her smile fades away as she sees beyond the crowd around them, a group of children…
Cowering in fear of an adult, wearing a short green jacket.
Katara looks for Aang but he is busy drinking up the attention from the crowd. She narrows her eyes at him, but shrugs and excuses her way through the horde. She almost makes it through, when someone bumps into her, spilling their ice cold beverage on her midriff. Katara sucks her teeth from the cold but before she can shout at them, they run away.
With a growl, Katara stomps off into the closest restroom.
It's empty inside. She heads straight for the sink and sighs with relief. Under the light, she can see it is water on her. She grabs a couple paper towels and dries her denim skater skirt, and then dries off her shirt, a matching denim crop top with spaghetti straps. She also wipes down her black lace boots and then pulls her phone from her purse to see a text from Aang, asking her whereabouts.
She smirks and walks from the restroom, about to respond. When she exits, however, she sees a familiar scene. A few children are cowering away from an adult wearing that green jacket. Katara quickly texts Aang to hurry to the women's restroom near the back exit, then tucks her phone away.
"Excuse me!" She calls out. The man stops. The children look to and fro, fright in their eyes. Katara holds out her hand to them and nods with a smile, and then turns her attention back to the stranger. "What are you doing?"
He turns to her.
Her eyes travel over the features of his face. The mustache, the makeup and earrings…
She gasps, covering her mouth. "I-It's you… you attacked me and my brother!"
He runs at her.
Katara shrieks as he knocks her down.
She lifts her leg and kicks him in the groin. He falls to the side, groaning and cursing in pain. Katara scrambles to her feet, looking at the kids, "Come on, we have to run!"
Taking them by the hand, they run away together. They make it around the corner, but crash into someone.
Katara falls on top of them, their noses bumping together. After groaning and rubbing her nose, Katara gasps, seeing it's none other than Aang. "Aang!" She rubs his nose for him once he finishes doing it himself.
"There you are!" He is beaming with joy. "Katara, you're not gonna believe this! Someone tipped me for getting the high score! I'm talking big bucks! We're gonna have that awesome night on the town after all!"
Katara blinks but her expression quickly returns to terror. She looks from him, to behind her, and back again. Aang continues running off at the mouth in excitement. She covers his mouth, sending a worried glance to the kids on the floor beside them. They all turn at the sound of rapid footsteps approaching.
Aang removes her hand, "Why do you look so scared?" He asks.
Just then, the man comes around the corner, a dagger in hand. Aang hops up, with Katara pressed against his chest. He pulls her behind him. He and the man meet eyes.
….Aang laughs.
"Ohhh…. Another one of these guys! I guess we're doing this tonight, too! Haha!" He glances over his shoulder to the kids, "Run, kids! We got this!"
"We do?!" Katara asks as the kids run away.
Aang beckons the man to come closer, and then, to Katara's horror, he blows raspberry at him.
"Aang!"
He grabs Katara's hand the same instant the man starts toward them. "Let's go, Katara!"
Aang pulls her out of the arcade into the alley behind the arcade. Dusk has fallen over Yu Dao and the streets are teeming with even more people. The two run off, deeper into the elaborate alleys of downtown. Aang laughs the entire time. Katara, on the other hand, looks horrified.
The man is in hot pursuit.
"Woohoo!"
"Aang! Have you lost your mind?!" Katara shouts at him, "He's trying to kill us!"
Aang continues to laugh, "He can't kill us if he can't catch us!"
He pulls her behind him and they duck behind some tin garbage cans. Aang shushes her with a finger to his lips. Their pursuer searches the area for them. Once he is close enough to them, Aang hops up and kicks the garbage can at him. He has no time to get out of the way. The dumpster knocks him off his feet and he falls forward, onto the concrete, face first.
"Haha!" Aang helps Katara up, "Come on, this way!" He whispers to her, leading her by hand around the corner.
They see a long line of people ahead, wrapping around a building. At the front of the line, a man wearing all black and shades checks IDs before letting people inside.
"Maybe we can hide out in the crowd?" Katara suggests, observing the look of many of the female attendees. The women are heavily made up and wearing varying degrees of revealing outfits. "Never mind… I don't think that would work."
The sound of cans being knocked over behind them alerts them to the man's presence. Aang pulls Katara away from the crowds to a basement window. Katara weakly protests, reasoning they don't know whose house it is, but when music pours out from it, she nods to him. Aang slides inside first, landing on top of a chest freezer. He helps Katara inside, and once she is on the freezer with him, she looks him up and down with narrow eyes.
"What?" He asks.
"Why are your hands on my hips?"
Aang retracts his hands and instead uses one to rub the back of his head, "I-I was holding your skirt down for you!"
She blinks, "Oh, wow, that's really thoughtful of you… Thanks, Aang."
Aang shrugs, not meeting her gaze. His cheeks are pink, but the area they have crawled into is dark, so Katara doesn't see it. Katara climbs off the freezer with Aang beside her. Music blares from above them. Aang takes her by the hand again and they ascend the stairs. Radical light colors flash across the circular glass on the door ahead.
He cracks the door open. His eyes behold a massive dance floor filled with people. Flashing lights flicker around the room as people dance, chat and engage in other activities. As he sticks his head out more, he sees a bar to his left. Patrons line the bar stools and shoot the breeze with the bartender. Some are passed out at the counter.
Slipping the door closed in front of him, Aang looks back at Katara. "It's a nightclub."
Katara bites her lip, "Well, we better get out of here, ASAP."
"Yeah, we should be fine as long as we keep our heads down. No way they will know we're teenagers, right?"
She gives his hand a squeeze. Aang takes a deep breath and opens the door again.
They slide out onto carpet flooring, and while holding hands, they keep their heads down and maneuver out onto the dance floor. The two are nearly separated twice by dancers on the floor, so Katara pulls Aang close to her, wrapping her arms around his middle. Aang tenses up in her arms.
She looks at him, "What?"
"Katara, hehe, what are you doing?" He asks over the music.
"We better act like we're dancing if we're going to get out of here." She explains, leaning forward to tell him in his ear.
Aang shudders, "G-Good thing it's a slow song then, right?"
Katara nods, "Look around and see if you see the exit!"
"Yeah, it's right over — whoa!"
In the nick of time, Aang pushes them apart.
Their pursuer stands between them, dagger in hand.
He swipes at Aang, but he ducks backward and then whirls around him so that he's beside Katara again.
"He found us!" Katara cries out.
Aang pulls her behind him.
The DJ changes the music to something faster tempo and upbeat. Aang grins.
Taking Katara by the hand, Aang spins her out of the way as the man swipes the knife at her. Aang proceeds to twirl in her direction, catching her against his chest. The man comes at them again. Aang picks Katara up into his arms, holding her upper body against his and then they spin around. This causes Katara to kick the knife from his hand and it falls to the floor, spinning away from them.
The rest of the clubbers notice what is happening. Gasps overwhelm the crowds as many clear the dance floor.
Once the floor clears, the man dives for the dagger and turns back to the teens. Their hands are clasped together and they stare back at him. Aang has a toothy smirk on his face. Katara, on the other hand, appears unsure.
With a growl, the man charges at them. Aang spins Katara off to his side and then he twirls around the man so that he's behind him, giving him a shove so that he falls forward and loses his knife again. The crowd cheers!
When the man gets back up, the crowd boo's him. Meanwhile, Aang and Katara start doing random dances side by side before settling on shoulder bouncing while back to back. They stop quickly when the madman rushes them once again.
Aang nods at Katara. She nods back.
In one swift motion, Aang swoops Katara into his arms and tosses her into the air. He then leaps over the man and catches her as their attacker crashes face first into the wall behind them. Aang turns with Katara in his arms to watch as the threat against them crumbles to the floor.
The crowd goes wild…
Security rushes over and pins the man down before he can get back up. More cheers erupt.
Aang and Katara take a bow in the center of the floor.
The clubbers continue to cheer for them.
Someone throws money at them.
The sight of money is enough to incite everyone in the club. Soon, people are piling on top of one another, trying to get the money. More security arrives on the scene. The two teens manage to snag a couple of bills before dashing for the exit, stepping on top of people to get away.
Aang breaks through the door and looks up and down the alley. He seizes Katara's money balled fist in his free hand and they dash off into the night.
This time, they both are shouting "Woohoo!"
Once they are far enough away, Katara jumps on Aang, hugging him. "Aang, that was incredible! Scary, but incredible!"
Aang shrugs when she lets him go, "It was nothing." He brushes off his shoulders, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
She shoves his shoulder, "Silly boy." She giggles, "I can't believe we just did all that! And we're still alive!"
"Yeah… and can you believe it's only 9 o'clock?" She checks her phone, and he's right. "Which means there's more fun to be had! And now…" he digs into his pocket, pulling out stashes of crumbled bills. "We've got money to spend!"
Katara opens her hand to reveal the money she acquired as well. "You're right!"
"Even better, Katara!" Aang takes her by the shoulders and slowly turns her around.
She gasps.
Yu Dao has come alive with light, art and color. Every sign within miles has lit up in neon lights, as well as the graffiti all around them. The walls, the ground — it's everywhere!
Katara screams with joy.
"Aang, it's so beautiful!"
Aang holds out his hand to her, "Come on, it's time you see Yu Dao in a new light. Neon lights, that is!"
Katara beams at him, taking his hand and running behind him into the busy night life of downtown Yu Dao.
On the other side of town, Sokka and Suki stroll through the city side by side. Suki takes the views in with breathless wonder, taking many pictures and asking Sokka to snap a few of her standing beside graffiti art. She talks him into doing the same a few times, but most of the time, he grumbles about being hungry.
Suki sighs, mostly in relief when she sees a dango merchant hanging out at one of the corners. She points this out to Sokka and shoves him over. Popping out from behind him, she orders them some dango. Before she can dig into her pockets for her wallet, however, Sokka hands the merchant some cash and they walk away with their food.
"Where'd you get money?" She asks with a raised brow.
"I work odd jobs in the neighborhood." He says with his chin held high.
"You? Working?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She shakes her head with a smile, "Nothing, it's just, I thought you were the computer guy, not the type to do manual labor or anything."
"Pfft, please. What kind of man would I be if I just did computer stuff all day?"
"The intellectual kind."
"Nah, I'm more muscle than brains." Sokka makes a muscle, smirking to himself.
Suki rolls her eyes, "Sure. Thanks for the food by the way."
"Of course, I couldn't have a lady buy food for me."
"Of course." Suki responds through gritted teeth.
They walk past a tunnel and Sokka's eyes are drawn to the sign reading 'Closed during Construction'. He peers over the railing and sees a white sheet hanging over what appears to be the opening. He looks at Suki, who is too busy enjoying her dango and admiring a wall nearby.
"Hey, Suki? Is this where they're finishing up the subway?"
She nods and resumes her previous endeavor. Sokka returns to look over at the burgeoning project, stuffing his mouth. He finishes his food by the time he turns back to Suki. She stands in front of the wall with her back to him. Sokka scans the image ahead from bottom to top. It's graffiti art depicting a woman wearing green armor…
Sokka gasps, slamming his hand to his chest. Suki looks at him, blinking. "Something wrong?"
"That makeup! I've seen it before!"
She chuckles, "Of course you have! This is Master Kyoshi! Leader of the White Lotus like a century ago. She's all over our history books."
Sokka snaps his finger, "Yeah! Why didn't I recognize it that day?"
Suki tenses up.
"Hey, Suki, you know a lot about gangs and stuff. Is there a gang that was influenced by Kyoshi running around out here?"
"Not that I know of." She says with a toothy grin. "But, let's get going. There's still so much I want to see."
She walks away, leaving Sokka scrambling to catch up with her.
They pass through an alley to get through to another Main Street. Sokka stops behind her, drawing her attention. Suki turns to come by his side as he stares at the wall. This area in particular is not lit by neon lights or fluorescent light, but there is graffiti on the walls.
"The Freedom Fighters…" Sokka murmurs with a frown. The spray paint is simple, written in red with a blue and black backdrop. "That's Jet's gang."
"Your sister's ex boyfriend?"
Sokka nods, taking in all the weird images alongside the writing. His eyes squint at the colorful image beside it. "I wonder what's with all the clown faces…"
"That might have something to do with that movie, M.A.D."
"Mad? You mean that stupid killer clown movie?"
She nods, "Apparently, it's about a clown terrorizing a city after being wronged by politicians or something."
"So, it's the Joker movie then?"
Suki snickers, "I don't think so, but maybe?"
"Whatever, but that doesn't explain that giant iguana parrot face up there." Sokka points to the giant depiction of the aforementioned animal.
Suki regards it, narrowing her eyes, "I have heard that there's pirates running loose in Yu Dao… That might be their insignia."
"What? You gotta be kidding me! First gangs, now we got fricking pirates running around? Ugh!" Sokka groans, his shoulders dropping and he slaps his hand against his forehead. "Just what the heck is going on….?"
"Pirates are just another side effect of living in a port town… but I do believe there's a lot more going on than we know."
"How do you know as much as you do, Suki?"
She smiles, "I just… ask questions. Lots of questions. That's how I learned all I know, and that's also how I found out Yu Dao is haunted." Sokka frowns at her. She giggles and then gestures for him to follow her, "Come on, let's get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps."
The two exit the alley and walk out onto the main intersection. Cars to their left are stopped at the red light, so they step out into the street to cross over to the other side. Suki walks ahead. Sokka turns to the line of cars waiting at the light. He is taken aback to see a group of bikers on either side of a shiny, solid black luxury car.
He trips.
Sokka shrieks as he collides with the front of the car.
Every biker in the vicinity revs their motorcycles and the two in front pull up to him. Sokka leaps away from the car as they box him in on both sides. Suki turns around, sees what's going on and gasps, rushing over to him. Sokka holds up his hands, apologizing over and over.
The bikers stare him down, their eyes obscured by their dark shades but the intensity of their gaze locks Sokka in place. Suki stands beside him, eyes flickering over their numbers.
"Apologize to the Boss, you little punk." One of them states, words laced with venom.
Sokka frowns, but the car windows roll down and that catches his attention.
The horde of bikers watch, idle. Suki gestures to Sokka, signaling him to go over to the car. Sokka swallows and then teeters over, sweat beading on his forehead. When he closes in, something pops out of the window, snarling at him. Sokka falls backward, crying out in fear. He holds his chest as the baby Komodo rhino slips back into the car and a human hand leans out in its stead.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to run into your car…"
The hand does some kind of gesture. The biker's rev their engines again. Suki rushes over to help Sokka to his feet, and then she pushes him out of the street, onto the sidewalk just in time for the bikes to rev and take off, the car speeding away as well.
"What the heck just happened…?" Sokka manages to spit out, his voice hoarse.
"That was the most dangerous gang in all of Yu Dao."
Sokka looks at her, eyes wide.
Suki frowns, "The Rough Rhinos."
"Aang, be careful, this food is hot." Katara warns, watching him slurp down his fiery hot udon noodles. The aftermath is a fit of coughs and hacking. Katara pulls him back against her and then proceeds to pour her lukewarm cup of tea into his mouth as he fans himself.
"Ahem, thanks, Katara." He pants sitting back up on his stool. The merchant behind the counter shakes his head, but pours Katara another cup of tea.
"No worries, but next time, we're going for dim sum instead." She giggles, handing him a napkin.
The night continues for Aang and Katara. As the streets glow behind them, they settle their growling stomachs with some food at an outdoor udon noodle merchant. The town is thriving with activity. Everyone has come out for the view. Families and their children playing with glow sticks, teenagers mess around, couples walk arm in arm, even elders can be seen sitting by idly chatting.
Katara turns in her seat, sipping her tea and smiling at the view. Aang finishes his noodles before gazing at her. He sighs and props his chin onto his palm while leaning on the counter, staring at her with a blush and smile. As soon as she shifts back in his direction, he looks away and begins tapping a beat on the counter.
"All done?" He nods to her, "KK, let's go then. I want to see more lights!" She says, sitting her empty cup on the counter.
Aang hands the merchant a couple of bills and hops off his seat. Katara waves the merchant goodbye and they start back out in the night.
The two travel the city side by side, enjoying the festivities of the glowing night. They arrive in the park and witness a group of teenagers breakdancing with glow sticks and sparklers. Aang, of course, joins them. Next, the two take pictures beside much of the graffiti and the two even join a crowd of people doing hip hop hustles in the street. As the music blares out from someone's car speakers, Aang helps Katara with a couple of the steps but she quickly learns how to do it herself by watching him.
Aang steps aside a few times to record her hustling while twirling glow sticks in her hands.
They leave the street hustle line, dancing side by side all the way out to the Main Street.
Laughing and giggling the entire time.
Afterwards, they climb up the fire escape on one of the nearby apartment buildings, scaling it to the rooftop. Katara races over to the edge of the balcony, peering down at the glowing streets with glee. Aang is beside her, grinning ear to ear. However, upon seeing a couple nearby on the roof making out, the two blush hotly at each other and then sprint back towards the fire escape.
It's 11 o'clock and the streets have yet to die down.
"Aang," Katara starts, checking the time on her phone. "It's getting pretty late…"
"Do you want me to take you home?" He asks, a pout on his face.
Katara stares down at her phone, eyes downcast. "…I'm having so much fun…" she looks at him, a warm smile comes to grace her features. "I wish I could stay out with you a little longer..."
Aang tilts his head, "…Can't you?"
She sighs, takes a deep breath and stuffs her phone back into her purse. Aang watches and a grin creeps onto his face as she looks him head on.
Her smile is all the response he needs. Aang pumps his fist into the air and takes her by the hand.
"Come on, I got an idea! Let's go see a movie!"
Katara gasps, and then grins herself, "OK!"
Just as they head in the direction of the movie theater, a shadowy figure emerges from the alley in front of them, blocking the path. Aang stops on his heels and shoves Katara behind him. Aang's lips part in shock once the stranger steps into the light.
"It's you again!" He exclaims, pointing at him.
"That's right!" The man nods, signaling behind him. Katara gasps from behind Aang as three guys emerge from the shadows behind him, all brandishing weapons. "It is I, Oh!" He announces himself proudly with a bow. "And I brought friends this time, since you think it's fun to mess around on our turf."
One guy looks them up and down before turning back to him, "Oh, they're just brats man. Are you sure about this?"
"The Freedom Fighters are a bunch of brats, too. And I got a bone to pick with them, too." Oh responds, playing with his dagger.
Katara grips Aang's arm tighter at the mention of Jet's gang.
"Cap'n might not like it though."
"What he won't know won't hurt him. Get 'em!"
Aang swoops Katara into his arms and twirls, causing their attackers to smash into each other. He then tramples over them, racing off with Katara still in his arms. Oh and the others get up and begin to chase them.
"Aang!" Katara cries out, seeing them in pursuit.
"Don't worry, Katara! I'll get us out of this! Just hold on tight!"
Aang heads in the direction of the movie theater, explaining to Katara that they can hide out there. Once they've gained some distance, Aang sets Katara down onto her feet, taking her by the hand instead and running out onto a Main Street. As they rush through, their pursuers follow, pushing bystanders aside as they chase them down.
Looking back over her shoulder, Katara sees Oh knock over an elderly man. "This is insane! Why isn't anyone calling the police?!"
Aang glances at her but stays focused on what's ahead, "Bystander effect, I guess!"
They reach the alley behind the theater. Katara wonders aloud what they should do. Aang runs towards the back double doors and pushes on them. They don't budge. He looks around more and notices a fire escape nearby. He points it out to Katara. The bottom has been broken off, so he stands in front of it, kneels over and cups his hands.
Katara steps onto his palms and once he hoists her up, she climbs the ladder. She turns around and extends her hand, but Aang has his back to her, staring off in the direction of approaching footsteps.
"What are you doing?" Katara asks, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Katara, go hide!" He tells her, pointing to the open window beside her. "I'll give them the slip and come get you in five minutes."
"Aang, no!" Katara cries out as he runs down a path adjacent to them. She gasps, ducking down as Oh and his men appear. They immediately head off after Aang. Katara balls her fists into her skirt and lets out a quiet sob before rising to her feet.
She climbs down the fire escape and races off after them.
Terrified shrieks ring out just as she rounds the corner. She skids to a stop on her heels.
Her face lights up in shock.
As if caught in some kind of invisible tornado…
All five men are twisting in the air.
They land with heavy thuds but are quick to climb back to their feet and help each other scurry away.
"Ghost! The Yu Dao ghost is here!" They cry out as they flee in terror.
Katara watches, mouth agape. As they disappear into the night, she turns her attention to the scene around her. It's the alley behind a circle of businesses. There are multiple paths that lead out to main streets. The signs behind these buildings glow in neon lights just like the rest of the town. A couple of industrial dumpsters are nearby, but otherwise, all is clear…
"H-Hello…?" She squeaks out.
Droplets of rain trickle down from the skies.
"Katara?"
She gasps, jumping a bit as Aang pops his head out of one of the dumpsters in a path nearby. He hops out and jogs up to her, "Are you OK?" He asks, looking her up and down. Aang raises a brow as she stares at him, eyes wide. "Don't worry, the dumpster was empty!" He sniffs himself, "Yup, no stink, I promise!"
He waves his hand in front of her face, repeating her name until she suddenly throws her arms around his neck.
"K-Katara?" He blushes, slamming his hands to his sides.
"Aang, did you see what just happened to those guys?!"
He tenses up. "N-No, what happened? Where did they go?"
She pulls back, gazing at him with big watery eyes. "Aang, they were twirling in the air! It was like a tornado or something was spinning them around! They said it was a ghost!" She shivers, holding herself.
"Oh, you mean the Yu Dao ghost?" She looks at him, incredulous. "Yeah, there's a weird ghost in this town. Sometimes people have run-ins with it."
"Ghost?!"
"Yeah," Aang chuckles, "If those guys ran into it, cool!" He folds his arms behind his head, "Guess that means we're safe." He smirks, "Now, how about that movie?"
Katara blinks at him and shakes her head, "Aang, please, let's get out of here. Hurry, before we make it angry and it comes after us too!"
She grabs him by his bicep and pulls him away from the area, Aang grins the entire way back to the theater. As they walk, Katara expresses her concerns about this Yu Dao ghost. Aang listens to her, still smiling. Katara grows annoyed with his grinning and crosses her arms, side eyeing him. Aang's grin becomes a sheepish one and he apologizes, assuring her he's taking her seriously. Katara pouts, and looks away from him.
Just then, Katara gasps as she hears footsteps racing nearby. She grabs Aang's hand and runs. Aang gets in front of her to pull her instead. To their joy, a theater employee exits the back of the theater in a rush. As the doors swing in and out behind them, Aang takes Katara's hand and pulls her inside.
"Aang, what are we doing? Can't we get in trouble?" She whispers as they tip toe down through the quiet theater halls.
"You want to get caught by whoever that was?"
She shakes her head, "Do you really think those guys would come back so quickly? What if it was the ghost?" She shivers.
"Either way we should be safe in — "
"Someone's coming!"
Katara yanks Aang behind her into the nearest show. They walk up the dark isles and find seats in the back. Once seated, they send nervous glances at each other and then turn their attention to the movie. Katara asks him what movie this is and Aang responds that he has no clue.
The two watch as a man and woman enter a hotel room together.
What follows is enough to turn them both burn blazing red in the face.
Katara squeaks and covers her face. Aang's jaw drops and he slowly turns away from the screen until Katara turns his face entirely to her. She whispers to him, cheeks flaming pink, "Aang, we need to get out of here, right now."
A bright light blares down on them.
The teens squint under the beaming flashlight in their faces.
The distinct outline of a figure in uniform emerges before them.
"Yup, they look too young to be in here to me too." The figure flashes his badge at them. "I'm gonna need you two to come with me."
It takes over an hour to explain the situation to the movie theater security. The two teens are grateful that the guard understands their troubles and kindly kicks them out of the theater altogether.
Now, with the backdrop of the glowing city behind them, Katara and Aang head off into the night towards home.
Aang walks beside Katara, silent, with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He glances at her every now and again, but is quick to direct his attention elsewhere. Katara has a small smile on her face as she watches her feet move. She looks up at the night sky, not a cloud in sight. Just stars as far as the eye can see.
"What a night…" she whispers with a sigh.
"It could've been worse," Aang remarks, making a face and rubbing the back of his short spiky hair, "We could be in the slammer right now, I guess…"
Katara smiles at him, "I had such a great time with you today, Aang."
He blinks, "R-Really? I-I mean I'm glad but I thought you'd be upset, you know, with the crazy knife guy, the ghost and then getting kicked out of the movies."
"Not at all… actually, I have to thank you." Aang tilts his head at her. "Thanks to you, I'm no longer afraid of downtown. Sure, it's dangerous, but… I don't have to be scared. Careful, yes, but scared, no. I feel braver about it."
Aang grins, "You didn't need me to make you feel brave. Remember Katara, you made it all the way from downtown to the slums all on your own — during one of the most chaotic nights in Yu Dao history. You're the coolest, bravest and toughest girl I know."
Tears swell up in Katara's eyes. She turns and throws her arms around his neck. Aang stiffens, slamming his hands at his sides. "Aang, thank you! To be honest with you, I have felt so helpless… but you, you give me hope. Hope that maybe somehow, some way, there's something I can do about this city."
Aang raises a brow as she pulls away and starts to walk ahead. He falls in place beside her, looking at her curiously. She notices and stops to stare back at him. They search each other's eyes.
"Aang, are you scared of anything?"
"Not that I can think of… What are you scared of, Katara?"
"I'm scared of the things that are happening in Yu Dao. The violence, the gentrification, the modernization project… all of it." She notices Aang's silence, and how he has turned away from her. "Does any of this scare you?"
He shakes his head, "I… No, I can't say it does…"
"Not even the violence? We were just chased by a maniac with a knife across town! You yourself even said there's gangs in Yu Dao… None of that scares you?"
"My people are nomads, Katara. We've traveled to so many places. Gyatso and I have seen villages where homes are pillaged every night by animals and people." He shrugs, "I'm not saying I think it's right, but it just doesn't scare me…"
"Aang, this is my only home. We were forced away from the Southern Seas when I was just a little girl. When my father brought Sokka and I here to start a new life after losing my mother." She holds herself, averting her gaze. Her fingers graze over her necklace. "I don't want to see this home, the home I have come to know, change for the worse. I want to feel safe again. I want to protect the people I love. I'll do anything to see this town prosper the right way. To preserve our way of life."
He averts his eyes, too, and begins to rub the back of his head again.
"If you could save Yu Dao, would you do it, Aang?"
He is silent.
Before Katara can say more, her phone rings. She answers the phone to hear Sokka on the other end, asking if she can unlock the door for him. "Sokka, I'm actually on my way home right now."
"What?!" His fury and bewilderment is evident through the phone.
"Sokka, I'll be there soon OK? Jeez, I'll even call a cab, just relax. I'll call you when I'm close." She hangs up before he can fuss any longer.
"Guess we should get a ride then, huh?" Aang remarks once she hangs up.
She sighs, "Yeah. You got enough change for us to call a cab?"
He digs in his pockets, pulling out a few remaining bills. "Yeah, we should be fine."
Katara places her hand on his shoulder. He tenses up. "I'm counting on you, Aang."
"…I know."
The moment the taxi pulls up in front of the house, Katara waves at her brother's frowning face on the porch. Suki stands beside him, shaking her head at him. Aang exits first and goes to open the door for Katara. The instant she steps out, she hears Aang yelp and watches confused as he starts running around the taxi, Sokka in hot pursuit.
"Sokka! Stop chasing him!" She shouts.
Round and round they go with Sokka fussing and nagging at Aang about bringing his sister home after midnight and demanding to know what he's done to her.
Katara balls her fists at her sides. Suki walks up and places a hand on her shoulder, catching her attention. "We're glad you're home, safe and sound again."
She smiles, "Thanks, Suki. I'm glad you're reasonable… Unlike a certain idiot brother of mine!" She resumes shouting at her brother while Suki just sighs.
Fed up with the nonsense, the taxi driver blares his car horn, startling Aang in front of his car. He skids to a halt and Sokka runs into him, both of them falling over on the ground. The girls run over to them, shocked to find a mortified Aang wiping off his cheek and Sokka sputtering, appearing to gag.
Suki pulls Sokka from atop Aang, "Knock it off, would you?"
Katara kneels beside Aang, "Are you OK?"
"I-I don't want to talk about it."
"Bah!" Sokka points down at Aang, "You stay away from my sister, you heathen!"
"Sokka, don't call him that!"
The two siblings begin to argue more. The Taxi backs up and drives around the group, taking off down the street after yelling out his window about crazy kids. While Sokka and Katara get in each other's faces, bickering, Suki helps Aang to his feet and helps him brush off his clothes.
They meet each other's gaze and Suki smiles, "Hi."
Aang smirks, "Hey."
They shake hands.
"Suki, get away from him! He might try to seduce you next." Sokka pulls her away from Aang, shoving her behind him.
Katara moves to stand in front of Aang. "He's not seducing anyone, Sokka. Aang's not that kind of guy."
The bickering finally begins to die down, although Sokka continues to glare at Aang, for multiple reasons at this point. Aang appears confused, uncomfortable, disgusted and nervous under his gaze. The tension grows so awkward that Aang turns to Katara and tells her it's best for him to get home now.
Katara smiles, nodding knowingly. She wraps her arms around his neck. Aang's arms twitch at his sides but his hands slam firmly in place when he sees Sokka's eyes widen, horrifically. "Thank you for protecting me, Aang." Katara says into his ear.
Aang melts in her arms, his eyes sliding shut. "Thank you for taking care of me, Katara."
She pulls away, cupping his face for a moment and smiling with warmth in her watery hues. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Aang blushes. "OK."
"Alright, alright, knock it off!" Sokka interrupts, "Get going, arrow boy."
Katara rolls her and gives Aang another quick hug. He turns on his heels and waves as he races off into the night. Katara calls for him to text her when he's home. He gives her a thumbs up as his silhouette fades away. Katara watches him go, face glowing with warmth and a smile. Sokka rolls his eyes at her.
"Well, I'll get going now too." Suki says, stretching.
"Let me walk you home." Sokka offers, coming up beside her.
She shakes her head, "No need. I can handle myself." She starts off, waving to them. "See you guys around."
They wave her goodbye as well, watching as she disappears into the dark streets as well. Katara turns to Sokka, watching his furrowed brows and the pencil thin line that becomes his lips.
"Suki seems like she can handle herself." Katara remarks.
"Yeah."
Katara's eyes widen, "Did you just compliment a girl?"
Sokka doesn't react to that, instead, he strokes his chin, eyes fixed on the dark streets ahead. "She's… quite a mystery."
A/N: AND FINALLY IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. Over 10,000 WORDS! Here's chapter 6! I hope you all enjoyed it! So, what's the reason why Suki knows so much about Yu Dao's gangs? Hmmm….
I had a lot of fun with this chapter. It just took a very long time. I apologize for that. This was a very busy month for me. Next month will be too because I'll be moving soon. But I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter!
Next chapter CH7 ~ Extraordinary - We get a glimpse of the average everyday life of the ever so ordinary Aang… or is he? Air and Earth come together in a fated moment of Destiny. Enter… TOPH.
Thanks so much for all the favs and follows! Reviews are highly appreciated! They mean so much to me! See you all next time!