Aang woke once again to a wet bed. What he wouldn't give to be a waterbender right now.
The nightmares weren't very common as they had first been, but when they happened, it always felt like something was trying to rip a part of his soul out. Sometimes he would completely forget everything about the nightmare, other times the nightmares would be incredibly vivid and he would have thought he would never have fallen asleep if it weren't for the wet bed. Other times he would have dreams that would range from incredibly pleasurable to the weirdest things imaginable. Aang once dreamed of a four-hundred foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings that would only talk about how sharp his outfit was. The things his brain could come up with were weird and probably belonged in the spirit world.
Rising from his bed, Aang walked over to the closet and pulled out a clean and dry kavi. He grabbed it and made his way for the showers, not wanting to be sticky for his training with Gyatso. Over the last few months his soundbending training with Gyatso had begun to increase in intensity and difficulty. His mentor had brought him out to a nearby mountain that wasn't too close to the air temple. There Gyatso showed Aang a number of creative applications of soundbending. The memories flowed freely as the water began to hit Aang's back, mindless airbending keeping the cold away.
"Aang, can you tell me why I have brought you out here?"
Aang looked around at the snow capped mountain peaks that made up the surrounding environment. He scratched the back of his neck and answered insecurely "Uhhmm… To ride cougar goats?"
Gyatso gave a hearty chuckle and smiled before answering "That does sound fun Aang! Hahaha, but maybe some other time. Right now I would like to demonstrate some creative applications of soundbending and the ways you can use it to shape your environment." Gyatso brought up his hands, ready to bring them together in a clap. "We'll begin with how to make an avalanche." Aang was pretty sure his jaw would disconnect with how far it dropped. Making avalanches was something primarily associated with waterbending. He had never heard about airbenders making avalanches.
"You-u, . . . You can do that Gyatso?" Aang asked.
Gyatso gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Not just me Aang. You are full of potential and will be able to do it to even greater effect than me one day." He tilted his head and smiled reassuringly. "Now onto the demonstration. What I am doing is no different to what I have already taught you Aang. Focus on the production of sound from the spark you create then project it in your desired direction. Observe my pupil." Aang looked on in anticipation as Gyatso brought his hands together in a clap that released an incredibly powerful sound wave that Aang could feel in his bones even if Gyatso was directing. After a few moments Aang heard a distant deep rumble that called for his attention. It was coming directly from where Gyatso had directed his clap.
Reading his best friend's mind, Appa drew them closer to the newly started avalanche.
Aang made sure to give Appa a thankful pet as he leaned over the saddle and observed his sifu's work. Snow was cascading down the mountain side, taking everything from trees to large boulders with it (Aang cringed on the inside when he thought about how many animals that avalanche probably disturbed). His reverence was broken when Gyatso once again began speaking "Now Aang, I would like you to try. Do not fret about making an avalanche as big as that right now. This is something new and patience is a virtue of learning." Aang airbended himself back to his feet and extended his hands out ready to clap. "Breath in, breath out. Focus."
Aang closed his eyes and did as Gyatso recommended. Deep breath in then a slow exhale. He focused on the air in front of him that he would have to bend and in an instant Aang brought his hands together in a clap. He focused the direction of the magnified sound towards a snow covered cap. After a few seconds Aang heard a deep rumble and opened his eyes. What met him was a surprising yet very gratifying sight. The avalanche wasn't as big as the one Gyatso had made, but it was still impressive. Glistening white snow moved down the mountain in a tumultuous cascade, dragging rocks and trees with it that left specs of black, grey, and brown popping out from the snow.
Aang turned to his mentor with a shining smile. "Wonderful demonstration Aang. Truly marvelous for someone your age." Gyatso complimented; making his student's smile shine all the more.
"I can't believe I just-...uhh Gyatso? What is that move even called?"
Gyatso gave Aang his own winning smile, "Thunder clap." He responded with mirthful eyes. Aang couldn't help but laugh at the name.
The memory came to a close as Aang finished his shower. Turning the faucet over, the stream of water ended and he grabbed a towel to dry himself. Finally dressed and cleaned off, Aang made his way to morning meditation. Though while he was walking to the courtyard he saw Monk Tashi standing in the hallway, obviously angry at something.
As Aang neared, the old monk turned his attention to him. "You, Avatar! Come with me, we must test you on advanced forms 29 and 26." Monk Tashi gestured for Aang to follow him, but he didn't follow. Monk Pasang said that Monk Tashi wasn't allowed to interfere with Gyatso's teaching. "What are you waiting for?! Come with me boy!" Maybe he was supposed to go with Monk Tashi. Aang took a step towards Monk Tashi, but Gyatso walked into the hallway right as he was about to take his second step.
"Monk Tashi? May I ask what you are doing?" Gyatso asked. Aang never heard his sifu sound so serious and cold. "You do remember what High Monk Pasang said, yes?" Gyatso continued as his eyes narrowed in the slightest.
Obviously Monk Tashi held no restraint as he openly glared at Gyatso. "Hmph, sooner or later the Avatar will have to face his destiny. You can't protect him forever Gyatso."
Gyatso nodded in agreement to Aang's surprise. His sifu looked at him before returning his gaze to Monk Tashi. "That is true, but today is not the day. I promised myself Aang would have a normal childhood and that is what he will receive." Gyatso's response only seemed to anger Monk Tashi even more, but the elder monk must have seen how this was going to end. Turning around, Monk Tashi walked down the hall Gyatso came from and disappeared from sight.
Gyatso looked back down to Aang with sorrowful eyes. "Maybe we should take another journey. We've been here for too long and it seems to be affecting us. Wouldn't you agree Aang?" He nodded in agreement at Gyatso's words because his tongue had turned to lead at seeing an argument between two elder monks for the first time. "Maybe we will go to the Western Air Temple? The Grand Pai Sho tournament should be starting soon." On hearing the words 'Western Air Temple' Aang's mind brought forth memories of his evening with Nula and their dance.
Gyatso smiled in understanding as Aang's eyes closed and a smile began to pull at his face. He had asked Mother Superior Malu about the girl to learn more about her. Although he had yet to meet Nulah, if this was the effect she had on him, Gyatso was more than excited to meet her (and vet her, but Gyatso wouldn't openly admit it since he wasn't supposed to hold a father role in Aang's life, just a mentor). "Thinking about a certain girl, are we Aang?" Gyatso teased.
Faster than the sound he bended, Aang went ram-rod straight and his eyes shot wide. Gyatso in turn reacted to Aang with a belly aching laugh, much to the embarrassment of Aang. "No need to worry yourself Aang. I only wish to know more about her if you're comfortable with telling me." As he spoke Gyatso began walking for Appa at the Bison stables, he had already packed for the trip as he wanted to take Aang anyways. Monk Tashi's actions only confirmed Gyatso's desire to take another journey.
"No Gyatso I'm fine with telling you. Her name is Nulah and she's a really good dancer..."
"Appa, Yip yip" cried Gyatso. In response the marvelous sky bison took a few steps and launched into the air.
"Gyatso, could we go see Kuzon on the way to the Western Air Temple?" Aang asked, hoping the answer would be a yes. One of these days he would have to bring either Bumi or Kuzon to see the other, it would be the convergence of minds.
Gyatso looked back at Aang and saw the hope in his eyes. He wasn't very comfortable with the idea of spending time in the Fire Nation himself. Rumors had been floating around the High Elder Council about airbenders going missing after they had visited the lands dominated by volcanoes. Recently one would say 'They were visiting the Fire Nation for a few short days,' but they wouldn't return; it was a hot topic during the meetings at Yangchen's festival. One of the far more cautious elders had recommended issuing a letter discouraging travel to the Fire Nation, but it had quickly been ruled out. Gyatso decided, rumors and quiet words were not enough to warrant keeping Aang away from one of his closest friends. He smiled and responded "Very well Aang. It's been some time since we've last seen Kuzon hasn't it?"
In his position at the back of the saddle, Aang leapt into the air and released a joyful "WOOOOOOOHOOOOO!" Appa also voiced his excitement with a boisterous bellow. "Thanks Gyatso!"
"Just remember to read your scrolls till we get there. I wouldn't want you slacking off on your studying." Aang could see Gyatso shake his head and wag a finger in the air. The young monk settled back down and grabbed the bag of scrolls and books. He pulled one out at random as per Gyatso's rules and read the title out loud, "Secrets to making a Fruit Pie!" Aang announced to Gyatso.
"May I ask who it was by Aang?" His mentor asked, though his tone seemed to give away that he knew who wrote it.
Aang looked down the scroll trying to find the signature. It took him a few moments before he found the author, Monk Gyatso. Aang couldn't hold in the bubbling laugh that his discovery prompted. "Wow Gyatso! I didn't know you wrote! That's so cool Gyatso!"
"Thank you Aang. Make sure you focus on the moon peach section; I know you love those!" Aang's mouth salivated at the thought and he dove head first into reading.
The vast ocean was quickly disappearing in favor of a dotted archipelago. Volcanos began sprouting from the ocean giving way to inky black shorelines, signaling to all three airbenders that they were entering the Fire Nation. Appa made sure they got there before night fall, in a mad dash across the ocean the sky bison beat his own personal record. Both monks were thankful for the early arrival of land even if they enjoyed their time in the sky. Sleep was something that required groundedness.
At Appa's rapid flop into sleep once they landed and removed his saddle, Gyatso grew cautious of the surrounding environment. Even if they weren't in the Western Zenori lands, one could never be too cautious of Fire Nation wildlife. Gyatso saw this as an opportune moment to teach Aang another less destructive yet equally advantageous usage of soundbeing.
"Aang I would like to give you a quick lesson before we rest our heads." Once his pupil's attention was focused on him he continued. In the lands of Agni one thing we must be aware of are the creatures that inhabit it. There are many animals here that are unlike you and me and eat meat." Aang nodded in understanding. "When camping in a less populated location here we must always do something before heading off to sleep. The application of soundbeing I would like to teach you is a harmless sonic wave that will roll out in all directions. The wave of noise discourages all surrounding creatures from approaching. As taught to you in your acoustics studies, there is a frequency of sound that we as humans can not hear, but the creatures that surround us can. We use that frequency here." Gyatso brought a hand up to his mouth and blew on his thumb and pointer finger, producing a high pitched whistle that would ward off any unsavory carnivores. "Did you get that Aang?"
"I think so Gyatso. Are you okay if I don't try it right now though, I don't want to hurt any animals after you just did it."
Gyatso smiled and nodded at Aang's request, there would be no harm done if he did it, but Gyatso didn't feel putting the pressure was necessary. He knew Aang was already capable.
The next day was much easier on Appa, and Aang was thankful he didn't have to push his best friend even harder. The mad dash across the ocean turned Appa into a ten ton conglomeration of sleep.
Aang peaked over the saddle to catch a glimpse at how far they were from Kuzon's village. Lucky enough it seemed to be just on the horizon and it was rapidly approaching. Gyatso turned Appa a bit in the direction of Kuzon's house. It was by no mean large- nor was it small -and it held an aura of modesty. Its irimoya roof was painted ash black and had accents of red and gold dotted it. Even if it was a farmers house, Aang had to recognize its beauty and the way it contrasted with the surrounding environment.
Appa let out a bellow in announcement of their arrival which garnished the intended response as Kuzon and his father came walking outside, one running the other walking. With a soft plumph, Appa landed and both monks hopped off.
"AANG!"
"KUZON!"
Both preteens came together in a jumping hug. Both adults shared a handshake and their own pleasantries.
"Flameo Hotman! How ya doin' Aang?"
Aang smiled wide and extended his arms into the air "Flameo! I'm doing great, Hotman!"
"You wanna go look for some dragons? They're becoming more active since the Fire Days Festival started." Kuzon asked Aang. The dragons typically became more active around Agni's blessed holidays.
Aang responded by looking at Gyatso and asking "Is that okay with you Gyatso? Can me and Kuzon go dragon watching?"
Gyatso nodded, but before Aang could run off, he warned "Make sure you keep a safe distance Aang. I don't want you getting too close to the dragons, we don't have a special connection to them like the sky bison."
"Kuzon, make sure you keep Aang safe. I don't want anyone getting hurt." added Zoju, Kuzon's father.
Kuzon's face took a more serious visage; he nodded and gave a bow. "Will do Dad." He turned to Aang with excitement one again painting his face. "Okay hotman! Let's go dragon watching!"
NOTES:
IWantColoredRain-I will draw elements form the Kyoshi novels that I know about. I haven't actually gotten to reading the book (I have them, I'm just lazy). As for Kuruk; I want to give him some proper treatment later on either in this story or the main story during the war. I'm not sure if it's form the novels, but I like the idea that he sacrificed his reputation in order to preserve Yangchen's; it would act as a great foil to Aang and Roku. Selfless duty requires sacrifice.