Avatar: The Last Airbender

Book Three – Fire

Chapter 2: The International Competition

"I've got a question for you all. It's okay if you don't want to, but I was wondering if you wanted to come to the International Competition with us, so I could continue to teach Aang firebending," Narka had gathered the group together at the table. She didn't think they would want to go, it was such a distance.

"What is the 'International Competition'?" asked Aang, which reminded Narka that the only person she had told was Sokka.

"It's the biggest dog sledding competition in the world, and the only event that you have to qualify for by winning at least 10 races. People come from all over the world to compete. We just so happened to qualify this year, and it's like the highest point you can reach in your career by running it. It's located in Snowdrift, our capital city, which is two days away by car and eight hours away by plane, so it's okay if that's to long for you."

"Are you kidding? We've survived two days on Appa, I think we can survive this!" said Sokka. He really wanted to go, not just so he could be with his girlfriend, but because this dog sledding stuff was very interesting to him. He thought that if he brought it to the South Pole it could come in pretty useful.

The others agreed. "But there is no way I'm flying! Even though it's longer, I'd rather go by land!" Toph made her point clear. She hated having to fly on Appa, where she could barely feel anything.

"Then you can go with the dogs. I'm sure my parents would like some help taking care of them," assured Narka.

"Wait a minute, what about Appa?" Aang said. Narka knew this was going to pose a problem, but thankfully she had found a way to fix it.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could fly him there. You could follow my parents, and we could find a place for him to stay when we get to the track."

"It's a pretty long flight, but we've done it before," he replied.

"I'll be taking a plane, so now it's up to you two," Narka said to Sokka and Katara. "Which way do you want to go?"

"I'll go with Aang and Appa. He'll need some company," said Katara. Finally, time with him alone!

"And I'll fly with you. It's so boring on Appa!" was Sokka's answer.

"Hey! Who's carried all your weight?" Aang ojected. "You could at least be a little appreciative!"

"When I see him, I'll let him know!"

"Break it up! Well, it's settled. We'll leave tomorrow morning. Sokka and I will get there early, so we'll check in for you. Everyone get a good night's sleep! It's a long way to Snowdrift!" With that the four headed to the guest house.

Zuko stood on the deck of his new ship. He couldn't help but think about how much he really loved that water peasant, which he was soon discovering was not much. She's on the opposition! I was only using her to get to the Avatar! I was so reckless at the time! My heart's for someone else, anyway. Stupid teenage hormones!

"So this is what an airplane is! They're so loud!" discovered Sokka as a freighter flew into one of the cargo delivery terminals. He had just been dropped off at the airport with Narka by her parents early in the morning.

"Let's get inside. It's quieter there," said his companion as she led him in.

The airport in North Village is huge because it's a connection airport, much like our Chicago O'Hare. Narka checked in their luggage (hers just barely made the weight requirements), and they went through security. Here they were stopped because of Sokka's boomerang. Luckily, Narka had associations with one of the security people, so they let him take it on. "I could never part with you!" said Sokka to his beloved weapon. Narka giggled, but she was pretty upset with herself for not telling him the rules, and knew it could have been much worse had security been someone she didn't know.

"It says on our tickets we need to go to gate D7, and our plane is Northern 25. We have some time to look at the stores, if you want," Narka said, checking the clock. They looked around, and after much persuasion, she bought Sokka a cookie, which was gone in two seconds.

They boarded the plane without much trouble, but after they took off, it became apparent that Sokka was airsick. "I'm not sick! I'm just…" but he couldn't finish his sentence as his face turned a pale shade of green and he covered his mouth. He got into the bathroom just in time, and came back looking considerably lighter.

"Feeling better?"

"A little. Why am I getting sick? I fly on Appa all the time and nothing ever happens!"

"You're probably not used to being in such an enclosed space while flying, and we're at a higher altitude than Appa could ever reach. You'll get used to it, don't worry."

A mile down and a hundred miles away, Aang was steering Appa with Katara next to him. He'd never felt so elated in his life, and he looked over at Katara. A slight breeze was blowing though her hair as she looked ahead. He never thought she looked more beautiful, but looked back in time to realize he'd missed a turn. He quickly righted his direction as the sun rose over the horizon and lighted the world and highlighted that sweet tan face next to him. She turned and gazed into his eyes, and he gazed back. They leaned in… closer and closer…

Below them, Toph had fallen asleep to the quiet hum of the wheels on the road. It was a good thing she couldn't see, too, because her two friends above her were having a major love moment. Not like she would have cared. Love wasn't big in her feelings category. She really just focused on getting things done without interruption. She figured she'd understand better as she got older.

Like Narka said, Sokka got used to flying. But he hadn't brought anything to do and was completely bored. We've still got four hours to go… Oh well, at least it was faster than Appa. "How long are we gonna be away?"

"Well, there's a few different races, spanning a different amount of days. I'll be racing in a smaller race that only lasts half a day. I usually take an overnight race, but I can't be gone that long seeing the situation I'm in. The main race, which my dad will be racing in, lasts three days, and there's four other types of races that last two days and two that last one. Add that all up along with two days before the beginning and two days after, and it's twelve days. We're only entered in three races, so there'll be plenty of time to look around. I have a few friends I want to introduce you to there."

"How many people compete, exactly?"

"About eight hundred, on average."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. Some people drive for ten days to get there."

Glad I'm not one of them! "Sooo… have you ever actually been into my world?"

"Well, not legally. But don't tell anyone! I did it as a dare. How can you people live like that? No cars or planes or cell phones!"

Sokka was slightly offended. We manage just fine, thank you very much! "We find a way." But if I had a choice I would live here! Life's so easy! No war, no fending for yourself, no annoying little kids following your every move!

"Sokka, why do you always stare at the moon? I saw you doing it from my window last night."

Not this! Anything, anything other than this! Sokka looked down. "I'd rather not talk about it. It's difficult."

"Oh. Sorry."

The two were quiet for the rest of the ride. They gathered up their luggage and Narka hailed a taxi, which took them into the city. Narka showed him the downtown streets and her favorite places to shop and eat (of course, he was very interested in the latter). Then she took him to the track, where she checked them in, and they walked over to the kennel. It looked just like the barn, except that it was slightly smaller and there weren't a thousand sleds over the individual runs.

"And now, to the stadium!" Sokka had never seen something so big. "They just built it a few years ago. Believe it or not, during the races, the whole place is packed!"

Sokka was very, very tired when they got to the hotel, where they would be staying until the rest of the group got there with the motor home. But when Narka opened up the door, they found only one bed. "You've got to be kidding me!" Sokka didn't like people evading his personal space when he was sleeping, and he was in one of those moods where you want everything perfect and if it isn't the person next to you had better watch out.

"It was all they had, what with everyone coming to town. It's only one night, Sokka! It's not like I have rabies or something!" So they ended up sleeping together, Sokka scooted to the edge of the bed. Stop being such a baby! She's just your girlfriend, it's not like she's Aang or something! I think being with all those little kids at the South Pole did something to my head!

After two days of extreme boredom, the rest of the group arrived and unloaded their stuff. "Okay, it's time for me to show you my friends, and the people you don't want to tangle with if your life depended on it. We have some pretty big rivalries here." Just then, two kids walked by writing on a piece of paper and occasionally laughing. They noticed their friend and walked up. "I haven't seen you guys in so long! These are my best racing friends, Chikara (she motioned to the boy) and Itsumi (she motioned to the girl). Chikara is an earthbender and Ikuyo is a waterbender."

"Hi! Is this your first time here?" greeted Chikara.

"Yeah."

"Trust me, it gets much more fun during racing times. Okay Narka, we need your help thinking up funny comebacks to Miss Snotface and her fancy shmancy kennel. Got any ideas?" said Ikuyo.

"How about 'I'm having an affair with your brother'?"

"NARKA!"

"Okay, okay! Um, I'm not really good with comebacks. Do you want to help me show these guys around?"

"Whatever," so they showed them all the different kennels, meeting friends along the way who had nothing else to do and joined the club. "Okay everyone, watch out! We're passing into Borderline territory!" Ikuyo warned. They all walked past it as quickly as possible, but couldn't get away in time.

"Well, if it isn't the crowd of misfits and their queen, Ikuyo. I see you have some new subjects, your highness. Don't let them touch my dogs! They look like filth to me!" said a rude girl who was very rich indeed.

"I'LL SHOW YOU FILTH IN A FEW SECONDS!" Narka threatened, and the group pulled up their sleeves and got into fighting stance.

"Save it for the spectators, fire brat!"

"C'mon, let's get out of here," said Chikara, and after they had gone a safe distance, he turned around to face the group. "That was Mayuka and her kennel, Borderline Farms. I highly recommend not going near there if you can help it. A nasty piece of work she is!"

Aang raised his hand. "Why can't you all get along?"

"Dog sledding rivalries go way back. Yeah, most of us agree that this sport is better without them, but some, like her, don't. You can see the result of that, she has very few friends. Don't worry, you found a very good firebending teacher!" Narka looked at Aang and smiled.

"Well, we best get back. I'm sure there's still tons of work to do, and I don't want to be up until midnight doing it! See you at the race tomorrow!" Narka led them back to the kennel.

"Is everything ready? It's almost time for the race to start!" Everyone was running around frantically to get everything together.

"It's all here! Good luck! We'll be up in the stands!" and with that Narka took off to the stadium.

"Wake up alright this morning?" asked Ikuyo as Narka parked her dogs next to her.

"I tried. Coffee does wonders, you know!"

"All mushers ready!" said a voice over the intercom, "Set! Go!" All the sleds took off, Narka in the lead. Now the course this race was following had many dips and turns, and at one point borders a large butte. It's not entirely difficult, seeing as it's for kids, but it is harder than your ordinary course.

Narka was at top speed. The race was going just fine for her, until she reached the butte. Her dogs suddenly stopped. Her friends came up behind her and their dogs stopped as well. They tried everything to get their dogs to move, until Chikara pulled out a sledding whip. He cracked it as hard as he could. Huge mistake. A resounding BOOM filled their ears. Narka froze. Avalance.