Chapter 10: The Great Divide
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait, it took a little bit to figure out my next moves, but I'm thrilled to say this story now has over 200 followers! Thanks for all your support guys. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves in a clearing as the group had decided to set up camp for the night.
As Sokka was trying to put the tent together, Katara walked by him carrying some sticks for the fire.
"Um Sokka aren't you forgetting the tarp?" Katara points out.
"Right. Got it." Nodding Sokka grabbed the tarp and threw it inside the tent.
"Sokka you're supposed to put the tarp on top of the tent. You know so we don't get rained on?" Katara reminds.
"Ordinarily, you'd be right, but seeing how it's the dry season, you're not. Besides that tarp makes a pretty warm blanket." Sokka points out.
"But what if it rains?" Katara asks.
"What if it doesn't? Then I would have put up the tarp for nothing." Sokka said making Katara groan frustrated.
"You're infuriating!" Katara yells stomping her foot.
"Katara, why don't you worry about gathering firewood, because that kindling is looking pretty sorry." Sokka said pointing to the small pile in her hands.
"Well if you don't like my firewood!" Snapping Katara threw the sticks at him.
"Fine by me! If you're not gonna do your job!" Sokka pulls the rope making the tent collapse.
"Hey guys we got the food." Ren said as he and Aang walked in carrying food.
"Hey where's the campfire and what happened to the tent?" Aang asks.
"Why don't you ask Miss Know-It-All, Queen of the Twigs." Sokka points.
"Oh yeah? Well, you're Mister Lazy Bum, King of the Tents!" Picking up a stick Katara threw it at him.
"It's moments like this that make glad I'm an only child." Ren mutters while Aang just laughs.
"Okay, listen guys, harsh words won't solve problems, action will. Why don't you just switch jobs?" Aang suggests.
"Sounds good/ whatever." Both said at the same time.
"You see that? Settling feuds and making peace, all in a day's work for the Avatar." Aang said proudly.
"Okay not bad." Ren said before noticing Appa and Momo were in a fight. "Let's see how you handle animal problems." Ren points.
Taking the challenge, Aang walks up to see Appa and Momo were fighting over a melon.
Picking it up Aang slices giving Appa the bigger half while Momo complains about his small half.
"Come on, Momo, that's fair. Appa's got five stomachs." Aang points out.
"Plus he does carry us everywhere." Ren adds.
"What do you think? I'm getting pretty good at this." Aang said.
"These are small compared to real issues, but you're doing alright." Ren shrugs.
The next day, they found themselves looking out at a giant canyon.
"There it is guys, The Great Divide." Aang declares.
Whistling Ren couldn't help but be impressed. "Pretty cool."
"I could just stare at it forever." Katara said.
"Okay I've seen enough." Sokka said walking away.
"How can you not be fascinated Sokka? This is the largest canyon in the entire world." Katara asks.
"Then I'm sure we'll be able to see it very clearly from the air while we fly away." Sokka said when a man in white robes shoved past him.
"Hey if you're looking for the canyon guide I was here first!" He snaps.
"Ooh Canyon Guide? Sounds informative." Katara said interested.
"Believe me, he's more than a tour guide, he's an earthbender." The tribesman said unaware of Sokka mocking him from behind. "And the only way in and out of the canyon is with his help, and he's taking my tribe across next."
"Calm down we know you're next." Sokka said walking over.
"Yeah relax, he's all yours." Ren assures.
"You wouldn't be so calm if the Fire Nation destroyed your home and forced you to flee! My whole tribe has to walk thousands of miles to the capital city of Ba Sing Se!" He snaps.
"You're a Refugee." Katara realized.
"Tell me something I don't know." He scoffs.
"Here's something. You're not the only one who's lost something to the fire nation. So stop whining like a baby and shut up." Ren said.
"Easy Ren." Sokka said as he and Aang held him back.
When they did, they noticed a tribe of people in messy red robes approaching them.
"Is that your tribe?" Katara asks.
"It most certainly is not! That's the Zhang tribe, a bunch of low-life thieves. They've been the enemies of my tribe for a hundred years." The man said before whistling. "Hey, Zhangs! I'm saving a spot for my tribe so don't even think about stealing it!"
Stepping forward a woman approached him, clearly the leader.
"Where are the rest of the Gan Jin? Still tidying up their campsite?" The Zhang Leader mocks.
"Yes, but they sent me ahead of them to hold a spot." The Gan Jin points out.
"I didn't know the Canyon Guide took reservations." She smirks.
"Ha, of course you didn't! That's the ignorance I'd expect from a messy Zhang. So unorganized and ill-prepared for a journey." He mocks causing the whole tribe to boo him.
"If he doesn't shut up, this idiot is a goner." Ren said.
"Wait what?" Aang said not liking this.
Suddenly a pile of rocks where Momo was sitting began to move startling the poor lemur. From it, an elderly man in Earthbending clothes emerged.
"Sorry about the wait, youngsters. Who's ready to cross this here canyon?" The Canyon Guide asks.
"Uh one of them I think." Katara points.
"I was here first, my party is on its way!" The Gan Jin said running forward.
"I can't guide people who aren't here." The Guide points out.
Smirking the Zhang tribe walked past them. "Guess you'll have to take the trip tomorrow."
"Wait here they come!" The scout points to reveal a whole tribe of finely dressed people in white robes.
Growling the Zhang leader turns to the Guide. "You're not seriously gonna cave into these spoiled Gan Jins? I mean we're refugees too! And we've got sick people that need shelter."
"I uh well." The Guide stutters.
"We've got old people who are weary from traveling." The scout said.
"Sick people get priority over old people." The Zhang Leader said.
Stepping forward a Gan Jin with white hair and a beard and mustache stepped forward. Clearly the leader.
"Maybe you Zhangs wouldn't have so many sick people if you weren't such slobs." The Gan Jin Leader mocks.
"If you Gan Jins weren't so clean, you wouldn't live to be so old." The Zhang Leader counters.
As the two tribes argued the group of kids looked at each other.
"Well Aang, ready to put your peace-making skills to the test?" Katara asks.
"I don't know, a fight over chores is one thing, but these people have been feuding for a hundred years." Aang said.
"I say we cut our losses and ditch these guys." Ren suggests.
"I'm with Ren." Sokka points out.
"Seriously?" Katara asks.
"Katara these people look like they're ready to rip each other apart." Ren said.
"And that's why we need to help them." Katara said stepping forward. "Everybody listen up! This is the Avatar, and if you give him a chance, I'm sure he can come up with a compromise that will make everyone happy."
"Uh you can share the Earthbender and travel together." Aang suggests.
"Absolutely not! We'd rather be taken by the Fire Nation than travel with those stinking thieves." The Gan Jin Leader said.
"We wouldn't travel with those pompous fools anyway." The Zhang Leader said.
As they began arguing again Aang yells to get their attention. "All right here's the deal, you're all going down together and Appa here will fly your sick and elderly across! Does that seem fair?"
Slowly the two leaders nodded in agreement over that.
Ren climbed up onto the saddle as they helped the sick Zhangs and eldery Gan Jins onto Appa.
"Okay before you leave here's what's going to happen. Appa will protect you once you get to the other side and I want no funny business. None of you will try and steal Appa, none of you will try to kill each other, no business. Your leaders are doing this for your sake so the least you can do is not give them any more trouble. Got it?' Ren asks as all of them nod. "Good."
Climbing off, Ren walks over to Aang.
"Sorry, Appa, you'll have to do this on your own." Aang said.
"Aang, this feuding tribe stuff is serious business. Are you sure it's a good idea getting involved in this?" Sokka asks.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. But when have I ever been?" Aang smiles.
"That is not reassuring." Ren said.
"He's the Avatar guys. Making peace is his job." Katara points out.
"His job's gonna make us cross this whole thing on foot isn't it?" Sokka realized.
"Yep." Ren sighs.
"Okay now comes a bit of bad news. No food allowed in the canyon. It attracts dangerous predators." The Canyon Guide warns much to everyone's disappointment.
"No food?! This is ridiculous!" The Gan Jin Leader snaps.
"Oh, you babies can go a day without food? Would you rather be hungry, or dead?" He asks shutting everyone up. "Now, we're heading down in ten minutes. All food better be in your gut or in the garbage!"
As the Zhangs began shoving food into their mouths the Gan Jins were eating with chopsticks and even taking time to wipe their faces.
"Here we better eat too." Ren said tossing Aang, Sokka and Katara a piece of fruit before Aang put the rest on Appa.
"See you on the other side buddy Yip yip." Aang said as Appa took off.
After eating they all made their way down with Aang, Ren, Katara and Sokka up front with the Canyon Guide, the Gan Jins behind them and the Zhangs bringing up the rear.
As they reached a small hole in the path the guide used his bending to fix it.
"Nice bending." Aang said impressed.
"The job's much more than bending, kid. Folks want information." The guide said before turning to the groups. "Many of you are probably wondering how canyons are formed. Experts tell us this canyon was most likely carved into the ground by earth spirits who were angry at local farmers for not offering them a proper sacrifice."
Suddenly from above them a rock slide was heading towards them, but at the last second the guide bends a ramp to move the rocks away from them.
"He he he, guess the spirits are still angry! Hope you all brought sacrifices." As he walked away Aang glanced a Sokka briefly.
Once they reached the bottom of the wall, the guide had them stand back.
Creating a boulder he hurls it at the bridge he had just made destroying it and creating a cloud of dust.
"Why did you do that?" Aang asks.
"These people are fleeing the Fire Nation, aren't they? Gotta make sure we can't be followed. We'll be safe now." The Canyon Guide explains when a large shadow emerges from the dust and a Canyon Crawler grabs him surprising everyone.
"We gotta help him!" Grabbing his boomerang Sokka threw it hitting the Canyon Crawler in the face and causing it to let go and the guide bangs against the rocks hard.
Growling it set its sights on Sokka now.
"Okay now you gotta help me!" Sokka yells running from it.
Using his shadows, Ren hurls tendrils out tying the Canyon Crawler up allowing Katara to blast it with water so Sokka could get away.
As it struggled to break free of Ren's shadows Aang created a tornado sending the Canyon Crawler flying into the wall before escaping.
"What was that?" Aang asks.
Looking at the guide, Katara was examining him.
"Canyon Crawler. And there's sure to be more." The guide groans.
"Your arms. They're broken." Katara points out.
"Without my arms I got no bending. In other words…" The Canyon Guide hints.
"We're trapped in this canyon." Aang realized in horror.
"How the heck did this happen?" Ren asks.
"I thought the whole point of ditching our food was so we wouldn't have to deal with things like canyon crawlers." Sokka points out.
"It's the Zhangs! They took food down here even after the canyon guide told them not to." The Gan Jin leader blames.
"What? If there's anyone who can't go without food for a day, it's you pampered Gan Jins!" The Zhang Leader blames.
"I hope you're happy. We're stuck in this canyon with no way out." The Gan Jin leader said.
"Why don't you thank yourself, food hider?" Zhang Leader counters.
"Look sticking together is the only way—" Aang starts.
"I'm not walking another step with the likes of them!" The Zhang Leader points.
"Finally something we can agree on." The Gan Jin Leader said.
"Any ideas?" Aang asks looking to the Canyon Guide.
"No bendng ... we need to get out of this canyon ... I won't die down here! I won't become part of the food chain!" The guide said in a panic and delirious tone.
"Well he's useless now." Ren deadpans.
"See! We're going to become part of the food chain because of you!" Gan Jin Leader said pointing at the Zhangs.
"Sure, unjustly blame the Zhangs like you always do!" The Zhang Leader said.
"Gladly!" The Gan Jin Leader said.
"Enough!" Aang yells making them stop. "I thought I could help you guys get along, but I guess that's not gonna happen." Jump onto a tall rock Aang points to both ends. "We should split up, Gan Jins on this side and Zhangs on that side. We'll travel in two separate lines."
Nodding both leaders led their groups down different paths.
"Sokka, you go with the Zhangs and Katara, you go with the Gan Jins. See if you can find out why they hate each other so much." Aang suggests.
"What about you Aang?" Katara asks.
"I'll go with him." Ren offers surprising them.
"Really Ren?" Sokka asks.
"Meh beats listening to them argue like babies." Ren shrugs.
Nodding the four of them split up.
As the sun was setting, both tribes were setting up camp.
With the Zhangs, Sokka watched them set up tents.
"So, you guys aren't going to put up your tarps?" Sokka asks.
"What for? It's the dry season." The Zhang leader said.
"Exactly." Sokka said in agreement.
"Besides we like to use the tarp as a blanket." She said.
"Finally someone gets it." Sokka smiles.
Across from them, Katara was with the Gan Jins put tarps up over their tents.
"You really think it'll rain?" Katara asks.
"No, but you can never be too careful, right?" The Gan Jin leader asks making her smile.
As night came, Katara sat with the Gan Jins around a fire.
Suddenly the leader pulls out a piece of bread from under his sleeve.
Gasping Katara looks around to see the whole tribe was eating.
"So it was you guys who had food." Katara realized.
"Oh come now, you really think that tribe of thieves isn't smuggling food? Why should my people go hungry when the sneaky Zhangs are stuffing their faces?" The Gan Jin leader asks holding it out for Katara.
"Well…I guess if everyone else is doing it." Katara takes the bread and eats it. "So, why does your tribe hate the Zhangs so much?"
"You seem like a smart girl Katara. I bet you would enjoy some history. The patriarch of our tribe, Jin Wei, was an earthbender warrior who was assigned an important duty, transporting our sacred orb from the great eastern gate, to the great western gate. Taking the orb from the east to the west represents the sun's rising and setting. It was our tribe's ancient redemption ritual. But as he approached the gate, Jin Wei was attacked by one of the Zhang, vermin named Wei Jin, who looked at the orb with envy. That coward Wei Jin knocked Jin Wei to the ground, and stole our sacred orb. Our people have never forgotten. You can never trust a Zhang." He explains.
Hearing this Katara glares across towards the Zhang campsite.
There Sokka was sitting with the Zhangs around their fire.
"Care for some meat?" The Zhang Leader asks taking some out.
"Would I?" Sokka smiles eating it.
"I know what you must be thinking, we're horrible for endangering everybody by bringing food down here." She frowns as Sokka nods slowly. "The Gan Jin think so badly of us, they probably assumed we brought food in and decided to bring food in themselves. That's why we brought food in."
Shrugging Sokka asks why while still eating.
"Our conflict with the Gan Jin goes back over a hundred years. Our forefather Wei Jin was leaving the western gate of our village, when he saw a figure in the distance. It was a man of the Gan Jin tribe, Jin Wei, collapsed on the ground. Noble Wei Jin stopped to help him. Jin Wei was transporting a sacred orb, a very powerful relic used in his tribe's redemption ritual. Wei Jin tried to tend to the man's wounds but Jin Wei insisted the orb was more important, and asked him to take it back to his tribe. Kind Wei Jin promised to send help for the man as soon as he could, but as Wei Jin crossed the border to return the orb into Gan Jin territory, he was arrested. Instead of thanking him for his kind and selfless deed, they sentenced him to twenty long years in prison. We Zhangs will never forget that injustice." She explains.
"That's horrible…you gonna finish that?" Sokka asks.
In the middle, Aang and Momo looked out at the campfires.
"Sure would be nice to be sitting around one of those campfires, telling stories and laughing." Aang said.
"I doubt any of those fires will have any of that." Looking over, Aang saw Ren laying on the ground nearby.
Chattering Momo sounded concerned.
"It's okay Momo, we'll be out of here soon enough, and then we can eat our weight in leechi nuts." Aang offers.
Seeing a fly Momo grabs it and began eating it before offering some to Aang.
"Nah I'll wait for the leechi nuts." Aang brushes off.
"You say that now Aang, but by tomorrow you'll wish you had taken the offer." Ren smirks.
"Aren't you hungry?" Aang asks.
"Prisons don't exactly feed well Aang. I learned how to ration my strength with small portions for years." Ren sighs.
"Right sorry…but hey look on the plus side you only have to do this for one more day then we can stuff our faces." Aang chuckles.
"Hey mind if I ask you something?" Ren asks.
"Sure." Aang said as Ren sat up.
"Sokka and Katara. You were traveling with them long before you met me. How did you find them?" Ren asks.
"Actually, they found me. For the past 100 years Appa and I were frozen in ice until one day Katara found me in the South Pole and freed me. Ever since that day she and Sokka have been helping me." Aang explains.
"Sounds like they're good friends to you." Ren said.
"They're your friends too Ren." Aang reminds.
"Ehh Katara maybe. It takes a little longer to get used to Sokka." Ren said making Aang chuckle.
"It's lonely isn't it? Being impartial?" The Canyon Guide asks walking up in arm splints.
"I wish I could help these people get along, but it just seems impossible." Aang said.
"You can't force people to change just like that Aang. It took you weeks to get me to open up." Ren reminds.
"Yeah I guess you have a point. Anyhow, I guess our biggest problem is getting out of here." Aang assumes.
"I'm not so sure the two problems are unrelated." The Canyon Guide said.
"Yeah well, one problem at a time." Ren sighs laying back down. "We better get some rest. We'll need it."
Frowning Aang laid down knowing he was right.
"Hey, Aang. Just so you know…even though I think you're crazy for wanting to help them you got a good heart. Not many people have the guts to care this much." Ren said.
Smiling softly, Aang felt a little better.
"Thanks, Ren after all if I didn't care I wouldn't have you as a friend would I?" Aang asks.
Pausing Ren smiles softly before going to bed.
The next day, Aang, Ren and the Canyon Guide were watching both tribes as they walked out with Sokka and Katara in the back.
"All clear, we're almost to the other side." The Canyon Guide said.
"Please tell me you two made some progress." Ren said.
"Katara, Sokka, will these people cooperate long enough to get out of the canyon?" Aang asks.
"I don't think so guys, the Zhangs really wronged the Gan Jins. They ambushed Jin Wei and stole the sacred orb." Katara explains.
"What are you talking about?" Aang asks.
"Yeah Katara, what are you talking about? Wei Jin didn't steal the orb, he was returning it to their village gate and was wrongfully punished by the Gan Jin." Sokka explains.
"Not punished enough if you ask me." Katara glares.
"Oh spirits. Dealing with these two is more torture than actual torture." Ren groans holding his head.
"Okay! Okay! I get it! Now I need your help, I need everyone together at the base of the canyon wall." Aang instructs.
Leading the tribes to the wall, Aang stood in between them.
"Please everyone, as soon as we get out of here we can eat and then go our separate ways, but I need you all to put your heads together and figure out a way up this cliff." Aang gestures.
"Maybe the Zhang can climb the wall with their long disgusting fingernails." The Gan Jin leader mocks.
"Oh sorry, I forgot that to the Gan Jin unclipped fingernails is a crime punishable by twenty years in jail!" The Zhang Leader said.
"Why you dirty thief!"
"You pompous fool!"
"Will you people shut up! You're all acting like a bunch of whiny babies! Would it kill you all to just shut up for once?!" Ren snaps.
"Babies?!" Hearing that everyone including Sokka and Katara began to argue.
Tired of this, Aang growls in anger. "Guys, focus! How many times do I have to say it? Harsh words won't solve problems, action will!"
"Perhaps the Avatar is right." The Zhang Leader said.
"Yes perhaps he is." The Gan Jin leader said making Aang smile.
"Told you I could solve this." Aang smirks looking at Ren.
"Harsh words will never solve our problems." The Zhang leader glares.
"Action will." The Gan Jin leader said as both drew their weapons and clashed much to Aang's horror.
"I think you need to pick your words better Aang." Ren said grabbing his shield.
"Yeah starting to see that now." Aang cringed.
"To the death! And let this be the end of this rivalry!" The Gan Jin leader declares.
"You know, I take it back. Harsh words aren't so bad!" Aang panics.
But the two leaders ignored Aang and went on the attack.
As they clashed the two leaders seemed evenly matched until Aang jumps in and released a gust of wind blowing both sides back and revealing all their hidden food.
"Is that ... food? Everyone smuggled food down here? Unbelievable! You guys put our lives in danger because you couldn't go without a snack for a day? You're all awful!" Aang snaps.
"Wait a second? Sokka. Katara? Mind explaining why you two didn't say anything?" Ren glares.
"Well uh…" Katara gulps.
"I'm a slave to my hungry." Sokka gulps.
"Unbelievable." Ren facepalms when his stomach began to growl. "Pull it together." He mumbles.
Needless to say when Aang saw a custard tart his stomach began to growl.
"So hungry. Is that an egg custard in that tart?" Aang asks.
However, something else saw the food too.
Emerging from the canyon over a dozen canyon crawlers emerged.
Panicking all of them ran for cover.
"Oh man that's a lot of Canyon Crawlers!" Katara said.
"We barely survived one." Sokka said as he, Katara and Ren ran behind the same boulder.
"They're coming back for me! They've had a taste and they're coming back for me!" The Canyon Guide panics.
"Alright look I don't care which side you guys believe is right we need to work together or none of us are getting out of here." Ren said.
"Ren's right Sokka. I don't care about this stupid feud; I just want us to get out of here alive." Katara said.
"Me too. I only took their side 'cause they fed me." Sokka said.
"Good, but before that." Ren grabs both siblings by the head and bangs them against each other.
"Ow!" Both snapped.
"Let this be a warning. Aang and I were starving while you two were stuffing your faces. Pull this again you two can be the ones going without food." Ren glares.
"Sorry." Both apologized.
As shadows coated Ren's arms, the three of them ran out to help.
"Is it me or is Ren even scarier when he's hungry?" Sokka asks.
"No he is." Katara said.
Swinging his staff, Aang blows the Canyon Crawlers knocking them all into a pile.
Picking themselves up the Crawlers began attacking the tribes.
Throwing his shield, Ren has it smack against one before bouncing off and hitting 3 more.
Catching it, Ren flings a shadow at its leg causing it to fall.
Throwing his boomerang Sokka nails one in the face allowing Katara to blast it with Water.
Using their swords, the leaders managed to help keep the beasts at bay but everyone else was having difficulties.
Looking around Aang noticed some Canyon Crawlers eating out of the food bags.
"Everyone! Watch me and do what I do!" Aang said grabbing a bag.
As one Canyon Crawler charged at him, Aang used the bag and tied it over its snout before jumping onto its back.
Seeing what he was doing everyone worked together to tie the Canyon Crawlers up.
"Now follow me!" Tying a big bag to the end of his staff.
Using the food, the Canyon Crawlers climbed up the wall taking everyone with them.
"Everyone get off!" Aang yells.
Jumping off the Canyon Crawlers, Aang throws the rest of the food down into the hole making the Canyon Crawlers leave.
"We made it." The Zhang leader smiles. "I never thought a Gan Jin could get his hands dirty like that."
"And I never knew you Zhangs were so reliable in a pinch." The Gan Jin leader smiles.
"Perhaps we're not so different after all." The Zhang leader said allowing Aang to sign in relief.
"Too bad we can't rewrite history. You thieves stole our sacred orb from Jin Wei!" The Gan Jin leader said drawing his sword.
"You tyrants unjustly imprisoned Wei Jin for twenty long years!" The Zhang leader said drawing her sword.
"Are you freaking kidding me?!" Ren groans.
"Wait a second…Jin Wei? Wei Jin? I know those guys." Aang said.
"Yes, yes, we're all aware of the story." The Gan Jin Leader said.
"No I mean I really knew them. I might not look it, but I'm a hundred and twelve years old. I was there one hundred years ago on the day you're talking about. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what happened. First of all, Jin Wei and Wei Jin weren't enemies. They were brothers, twins in fact, and they were eight; and most importantly, they were just playing a game! The sacred orb from the legend, that was the ball! And the eastern and western gates were the goal posts. Jin Wei had the ball and was running toward the goal when he fell and fumbled it. Wei Jin didn't steal the ball, he picked it up and started running it toward the other goal, but he stepped out of bounds, so the official put him in the penalty box. Not for twenty long years but for two short minutes. There was no stealing and no putting anyone in imprison, it was just a game." Aang explains.
"You're saying the sacred orb was actually a sacred ball?" The Zhang Leader asks in disbelief.
"Nope just a regular ball." Aang corrects.
"What about our tribe's redemption ritual?" The Gan Jin Scout asks.
"That's what the game was called, redemption. As soon as you got the ball from one end to the other, everyone would yell "redemption"! Don't get me wrong, Wei Jin was kind of a slob and Jin Wei was a little stuffy, that much is true. But they respected each other's differences enough to share the same playing field." Aang said.
"I suppose it's time we forget the past." The Zhang Leader said.
"And look to the future." The Gan Jin leader said bowing with her bowing in return.
Soon the groups met up with Appa and their sick and elderly. Fortunately, Ren's threat made it so they didn't cause any trouble.
"Good to see you too boy." Aang said as Appa licked him.
"I cannot thank you enough, Avatar." The Gan Jin leader said.
"Well you know I try." Aang said still covered in bison saliva grossing him out.
"You got moxie kid. I like that." The Zhang leader said punching Ren's shoulder.
"Yeah well someone needs to have it." Ren said rubbing it.
"Hey you know where I can get a shield like that?" She asks interested.
"Sorry this one is one of a kind." Ren said.
"Fair enough." She said as the two leaders joined up. "Let us travel to the Earth Kingdom capital as one tribe."
Cheering both tribes followed their leaders away.
"Let me come too! I'm sick of this place!" The Canyon Guide said following after them.
"That's some luck you knew Jin Wei and Wei Jin." Sokka said.
"You could call it luck or you could call it lying." Aang smirks.
"What?" Sokka said flabbergasted.
"I made it up." Aang declares.
"No way." Ren said.
"That is so wrong." Katara smirks.
"Now where's that custard tart? I'm hungry?" Aang asks as Ren burst into laughter surprising them.
"Okay I'm starting to like this group." Ren laughs.
"Wow Ren you actually can laugh?" Aang smiles.
"This is a new look for you." Sokka said.
"Yeah been a while since I laughed last." Ren said.
"Now this might be the most amazing thing you've done today Aang." Katara said as they got on Appa and flew away.