IV.
Aang's laughter could be heard for miles. Peels of joyful squeals made their way through the lacquered glacier tunnels as Aang and Lenara surfed their way deeper into the catacombs. As the light turned from silver to blue to indigo, Aang's eyes adjusted to the growing darkness. Finally, the penguins slid to a stop at a small hole at the base of an otherwise solid sheet of ice. Lenara climbed off her penguin and motioned for Aang to follow. The two crouched low on their hands and knees and crawled the length of the tunnel. All the light that was with them vanished when they reached the end of the passage.
"Stay where you are, Aang. I'll get the lights."
"What lights?" Aang whispered, his voice echoing across the vast space. He blinked, trying to figure out where he was. He felt cool air on his head and solid rock, not ice, below his feet.
Lenara suddenly came into view, holding a glowing crystal that refracted light off of the cave's collection of similar jewels. Aang watched the cave slowly grow brighter, glowing with soft light filtered in the heavy and fractured crystals.
"Oh, those lights."
"Yes, this cave is where we are starting to bring the salt from the water. We form crystals from the salt and let them grow. Of course, it takes a while, but the crystal can be used for lighting fires, cutting rope, hunting, just about anything. They make great instruments if you have the right hammer, " Lenara winked at Aang. Aang touched a crystal stuck in the wall. It turned blue where his hand touched it, then melted back to its original green color.
"Crystals aren't always what they seem. They have many facets to them, so they're hard to read. And they are not so easy to find, "Lenara reached for a dirty scuffed rock, "this rock, by any other name, would still look just as beat up and dull." She tapped the rock sharply with a tiny metal hammer. The rock split neatly in two, revealing a center that glowed a deep red. Aang's eyes widened as Lenara extracted the crystal.
"But nothing is what it seems, Aang. The surface of people, like this rock, may not be who that person truly is. Lying inside may be a beautiful persona that is covered by a rough shell. Remember to dig deep for the truth, Avatar, and keep in mind one's beauty may lie far within." Aang smiled, pressed his palms together and bowed. Lenara swept Aang up into a hug, making the Avatar laugh.
"Be brave, Aang. Many people have fought and died in hopes that the Avatar would deliver them. You know you can do this. And be thankful that you have your friends with you. Most Avatars carried their burdens alone."
"I will, Lenara. Thank you for your wisdom."
"Thank you for returning, Aang. I know it was not easy, but it was right." A loud, low trumpet shook the very bowels of the cave.
"The Fire Navy ship! We gotta get back to the village!"
V.
Aang and Lenara rushed to the front of the village. Katara and Sokka had already mounted Appa. Aang saw the Fire Prince's ship swiftly approaching the shore. He turned to Lenara.
"We can help you!" Lenara shook her head.
"You have to leave, Aang. I can handle the Fire Nation."
"But what about the village?" shouted Katara.
"The village can take care of itself!" Lenara unstrapped her club and plunked the bone headdress on her head. She began to walk towards the shore. Aang grabbed her arm.
"Lenara, be careful! Zuko's dangerous and he won't stop at burning a village to find me."
"You're talking about what he did at Kyoshi?" Aang hung his head. He still felt ashamed at what had happened. Lenara stared at the approaching ship. Minutes slipped by. Aang opened his mouth to speak. Katara started to climb off of Appa…
"You don't need to worry, Aang. I have an idea." Lenara turned to Aang, her green eyes bright and sharp. She knelt in front of Aang.
"Aang! We have to go!" Sokka yelped. The ship was almost to the shore. Aang wrapped his arms around the water bender and whispered,
"We'll see you again, right?" Lenara pulled away from Aang.
"I don't know, Aang. I hope so."
"Aang!" Katara hollered. The ship was docking, scrapping a scar into the ice. Aang jumped nimbly onto Appa's head and snapped the reins.
"Yip-yip!" Appa climbed into the sky. Lenara watched them leave, her hand pressed against her brow to shield the sun from her view.
"Ride hard, Avatar." Lenara gripped her club. The gangplank lowered on the Fire Navy ship. Time to meet this Prince Zuko.
VI.
Prince Zuko led his band of fire soldiers down the ramp. General Iroh continued on with his nephew, leaving the ranks of fire benders behind them. He leaned towards his nephew.
"One lone water bender. Not a good sign."
"One is enough if they can tell me where the Avatar is going, " Zuko grumbled. The pair halted in front of the chief of the Water Tribe. Her smile was cool, her gaze hard as ice.
"I would welcome you to the village, but that would just waste time. You must be Prince Zuko." Lenara gripped her club, knuckles turning white. Zuko stared her down, but Iroh noticed the anger deflected in her hand.
"The Avatar left this village. We watched him run. Where is he going now?" Lenara returned his glare with a knowing smile.
"He didn't say and I didn't ask." Zuko's eyes narrowed.
"I think you're lying."
"And I think," Lenara replied, taking a single step towards Zuko, 'you're not asking the right questions." Zuko's clenched fists sparked fire. Iroh placed a steady hand on the Prince's shoulders.
"Then perhaps we should ask the right questions, eh, Prince Zuko?" Zuko lowered his fists, the flames cooled. He scanned the half moon of huts behind Lenara. A sinister grin creased his face.
"Right, Uncle. Would you tell us where the Avatar is AFTER I burn your village to the ground?" Lenara's mind was racing. Her mother's village was her responsibility and all she had left to remind her of her mother.
"I told you, the Avatar never said where he was going, only that he's been trying to get to the North Pole."
"And you were able to anticipate his arrival and prepare his leave as quickly as a day? How did you know our ship was approaching?" Lenara took a step back as Zuko leaned forward. His left eye was conquered by a red puckered scar that encased most of the left side of his face and jaw. Lenara watched his right eye blink with anticipation. He had paid a price for that scar. What kind of crystal lay beneath this rough, beat up rock?
She straightened herself and tapped the snow covered ground with her club. A small three-dimensional map popped up, made from the snow.
"We have posts fifty miles apart from here to the South Pole. We've been tracking the Avatar's trip ever since he left his ice cube." Zuko stared at the ground as small mounds of snow sprung up on icy continents.
"Very industrious," Iroh murmured.
"We're proud of it, " Lenara replied neutrally.
"I see you don't have a post in the Fire Nation. " Zuko gave her a smug smile. Boy, this guy was a smartass. Lenara tapped the ground again and the snow flattened to the earth. She fixed Zuko with an irritatingly proud smile.
"We didn't have to. Sooner or later, the Avatar's journey will end in the Fire Nation. We are merely helping him along the way. And speaking of way," Lenara said gazing at the cloud-broken sky, "you'd better get on yours if you're going to catch the Avatar." Iroh shrugged and turned to leave, but Prince Zuko caught his arm.
"Not yet. These simple peasants were able to track the Avatar while we struggled. We can make them find the Avatar for us, " Zuko whispered. Iroh shook his head.
"That 'simple peasant' is the chief of the Water Tribe. I doubt she would be willing to help us." Zuko paused, trying to think of a plan.
"May I make a suggestion?" Both fire benders turned towards the smiling water bender. "Since you're still a threat to my village and there seems to be something I won't give you, we are at an impasse. I propose…Agni-kai."
"With a fire bender?" Iroh asked.
"We're all benders here," Lenara quipped, tossing her club aside.
"Will you be fighting us all?" Iroh gasped.
"What? No! I can't possibly take out all of you! Who do you think I am, the Avatar?" Lenara laughed. Zuko clenched his fists again.
"Then who fights?" Lenara gestured to the ranks of fire benders.
"Choose you strongest warrior and I will fight him. If I win, you must leave the North Pole and never return. You'll have to find the Avatar on your own."
"And if we win?" Iroh questioned. Lenara's eyes held a cautious stare, but she shrugged it off.
"Do whatever you want." Iroh leaned towards his nephew.
"I don't like it. Sounds too good to be true."
"I have to capture the Avatar, uncle, by any means."
"So, who's it going to be?" Lenara interrupted, approaching the two. She pointed to Iroh.
"I'll bet it's you, right? I like a challenge and you look like you've had years of experience and discipline, unlike some. "She slid her eyes to Zuko. He burned with rage. Iroh rocked on his heels with pride, hands clasped behind his back.
"Well, I don't like to brag…"
"Then don't. I'll fight," snapped Zuko. He threw off his armor. Lenara smiled to herself as she walked away from them. Pride was always her favorite sin.
Iroh stepped in front of Zuko.
"Really, Prince Zuko, I wish you wouldn't make such rash decisions."
"I'm disciplined. I've trailed. She's mocking me, I know it." Iroh shook his head. His nephew had so much to learn about women.
"She simply said I have had…"
"Enough! I'll show that water peasant who the strongest warrior is!" Zuko tore off his shirt. He stood facing his uncle, eyes blazing fire. Iroh sighed.
"Remember your training, Prince Zuko. Appearances can be deceiving."
"We should begin, if you want to catch up with the Avatar!" Lenara called out. She tossed her blue robe aside and stood facing Zuko in her white tunic and shorts, feet bare in the snow.
"That looks too cold for me," Iroh muttered, joining the line of soldiers. Zuko raised his fist. Lenara stepped forward. The Agni-kai began.