"In Fate's Hand's Part one: The Warning"

It was a gorgeous autumn afternoon. The gentle winds from the north were whistling merrily through the tall, soft, grass carpeting the mountain meadow. The echo of contentment and amusement rang through land that seemed to stretch on forever across the horizon.

Two young lovers watched as their son ran and played without a care in the world in the grass with his pet lemur. They laughed at the silly antics of the boy, as he played hide and seek in the grass. Even the bison that had carried them to this ideal spot seemed to chuckle at the whole thing as he nipped on the tender sweet grass. Everything was perfect.

"Don't go too far, sweetheart! Please be careful!" called out his mother as she began to set out their picnic lunch. She was worried for the safety of her child.

"Don't worry Mom! I can take care of myself! Come on, Momo! Let's fly!" he shouted back at her as he propelled himself into the air and laughed blissfully as he got into a formation of birds.

"Do not worry my love. He will be fine. Come, you want some of my cake?" asked her husband sweetly as he tried to calm the poor woman down.

"Nay, Gyasto. I don't eat sweets before lunch. I have to watch my delicate figure you know. But if you need something sweet to snack on here's a kiss," she said as she kissed him.

"You had me with your kind eyes and then I became yours. Come lets eat," he said as held her hand to his face.

"Yes, lets eat. Aang! Aang! Wind Rider! Come down here its time to eat! Momo we have several peaches!" sang Akanke into the wind.

In next to no time they were all eating and listening to melody of Akanke's flute. For a moment everything was forgotten as they enjoyed this rare moment as a family.

Aang was content beyond a doubt for once in his young life; he felt that this is where he belonged. In this one moment everything was perfect. He had his parents and his pets and no responsibilities. He was just a normal kid. Then it broke like a stone shattering a church window.

His mother looked at him and then her manner changed she went from being happy to concerned and disappointed. Her eyes where full of pity.

"Aang, my son why are you trying to delude yourself?" she inquired him with sharpness to her kind gray eyes.

"What do you mean, Mom? Come lets eat our lunch!" he said innocently as tried to keep himself from looking into her eyes. But he could feel them piercing into his very soul.

"You know very well what I'm talking about wind rider. You can't hide from the world forever. Not even in your dreams will you find salvation and sanctuary till you have completed your destiny. Come wake up to reality. You know very well that this is not what things are or how they where meant to be. No. No they are not. Gyasto do you have anything to say to our son?"

"Aang no one can live forever in their dreams. We must live in the world writher its too our liking or not. You can't second-guess fate, Aang. Please don't do this. Don't retreat into here. Especially not at this point in time. You can't hide now. Not when the human race is counting on you to save it. When you ran away it was meant to be. But the time to hide is over and now it is time to fight. Do you understand?" he asked his young son.

"NO! NO! I do not understand! Why must this be! Why did you have to die? Why did you not tell me that you were my father? Why did you not come to me and be with me Mother? I never wanted to be the Avatar! I didn't ask for it! What can one kid do to make a difference? I, I, I can't do it! OK I can't I'm scared and I don't know that I can … that I can pro…" he couldn't come to an end.

His parents wrapped their arms around him and his mom kissed him on his brow.

"Listen to me, my child. No matter how much power you got or what you can or can't do you can't save everyone so don't even try. You aren't a god or any supreme being. In the end you are as human as anyone. You remember that as well as this, no matter what don't ever forget that we live in you. In here your heart. Call our names and we'll be there in some shape or form to lend a hand. Do not cry. We all are destined to die. No one can live forever. So don't run from death or fear it. Now wake and think of what we said. Remember we're also here if you need us." Akanke told her son as he awoke to the reality that he knew he was partly responsible for.

"Hmm, Huh? Grr!" he grunted furiously as he looked around the old stone room and threw his pillow at the wall with Airbending and caused a small amount of stones to fall and become dust.

"Its not fair! Its just not fair!" he pouted with tears welling up in his eyes as he held Akio close to his chest hoping to breath in a linger scent of his mother but smelled zilch.

He began to utilize all forms of bending to pitch, rupture and obliterate anything as he kept screaming incoherently and tears streamed down his face.

"Aang! Aang! Aa... Whoa! Katara duck! Yow! Aang are trying to kill someone!" screamed Sokka as he used his club and smashed an incoming slab of stone into smithereens.

"Aang!" said Katara as she grabbed him by the wrist and looked at him straight in the eye. "Calm down. It's ok. It will be ok. Now lets talk about what troubling you." She said soothingly as held him close to her heart. Her flowing brunette tresses were soothingly creasing his naked head.

"Aang? What's the matter? You were sound asleep last I checked. You were smiling inside a pleasant dream. What the matter? Tell me everything." She said kindly as she dried his eyes and held him close to her.

He tried to shove her away from himself as if she revolted him. But she held him closer and began humming a song that sound like whales singing. She wasn't about to abandon him.

He calm down and relaxed. Leaning his head against her chest he listen to her heartbeat.

"There, There, Aang are you feeling better? Tell me what wrong." She asked him

"Aang I'm getting really tired of these tantrums! You know what Akiko going to say we she gets here! Her temper is even worse Zuko on the worst of days! Do you have any idea all the trouble you've been causing! I don't care that you 12 years old! Start act like you're mature! Sometimes you make it so hard to believe you're destined to save mankind!" Sokka snorted angrily with his arms crossed

"Sokka! That enough! Please he had it hard enough! Don't make him feel worse!" Katara yelled at him over her shoulder.

"Ow you always have to protect him don't you! Katara he has to fend for himself! I'm sick of your attitude!" he yelled at her.

"You want to fight me? Bring it on!" she said as she summoned water and got ready to fight.

"Bring it on, little sister!" he yelled as they began to clash. She used techniques that he never dreamed of. She incased him in water ball. He leaped out and threw his boomerang that nicked her face and some hair fell from her head.

Touching her face and feeling blood she, smiled wickedly as her face regenerate itself to health. "Here have this!" but just as they were about to throw the spirits out on the table Aang got very furious and forced them apart.

"Don't exchange blows, give me the pleasure and don't fight! You don't know appreciate that you are so blessed to have each other. That even when everything from hell has been thrown your way you've still had each other. Family. Blood. You may hate each other now and again and though you haven't seen your father in an exestuation amount of time you know no matter what there is love and I envy you because of that! So shut up and just be thankful that you have the love of a real family!" he yelled at them as he went to his bed and took his pillow and cried his face into it.

"Aang I never heard talk like that. Aang talk to me what wrong?" asked a surprise Katara as she reached for him but he jerked away angrily.

"Just leave me alone, YOU and the rest of the world just leave me the hell alone!" he said crossly as he grabbed his gilder and ran out of the old broken room leaving a cloud of dust. He went so fast that he shoved her into a sharp broken statuette that hit her in the side and back. She held in the scream.

Sighing wretchedly, Katara hung her head dejectedly. "I'm the worst friend ever. I yearn to be of assistance to him. But I don't know what to do any longer. Sokka what are we going to do? Aang has for all time we know him been an out of the ordinary kid. Beyond being the Avatar. He been there for us all and taught us how to feel without touching but he's meant to save the world and us, but I imagine someone needs to save him first. I'm sorry? What you think, Sokka?" she asked him as she hugged her older brother and wept.

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back and said. "Lets go talk with the rest of the family. You wake the girls and I'll get the boys and we'll meet in the conference room in half an hour." He said as they gathered up their stuff and ran got everyone.

At what time they all were assembled around the cracked stone table, Akiko whacked the flat side of her blade the table and called the meeting to order.

"Ok this meeting has been called to order. That's means you silent your tongues before I'm forced to cut them out. Now, Katara tell me what is wrong? We're are all ears!" Akiko demanded kindly of her staring her down.

Getting up and clearing her throat she hung her head and then said sadly, "As you all are aware of we have been pushed to are limits, we have each had to grow up in a very harsh reality. We each have had are share of pain as well as pleasures."

"Your point young Waterbender?" asked Luke impatiently as he tapped his fingers on the stone table.

"Well. I'm very worried about Aang. He seems very well troubled. He did something very shocking." She cried with her fist trembling.

"Tell us, Katara, Sokka what going on. We need to be open with one another. Communication is key to successes. We must work and act as one," Crimson said halfheartedly as she swallowed a little water.

Katara looked away shamefully. She couldn't bring herself to say what had transpired lately. She had always cared about Aang but she could tell things would get worse before they got better.

"He swore at us and then attack us. He is becoming exceptionally temperamental, and extremely destructive. As well as becoming distant, distracted, and, confused. I don't know what to think but he could hurt someone if remains in this state," reported Sokka as he comforted his sister.

"Hmm, I see that this is quite a problem. Do you have anything else to add?" asked Akiko looking gravely over at Sokka. He shook his head.

"Well I got plenty to say on the subject of this matter. I would normal say under the current circumstances that Aang is like anyone else at his age who is about to make the journey from boy to teenager to man. But I'm severely disappointed in his behavier which is most unacceptable and undesirable!" Luke said sharply.

"Yes. Hurting people instead of saving them is not what the Avatar is supposed to do. But he hasn't been acting like the hero we want him or need him to be. Katara you seem so distant tonight. Like something happen what is it?" Crimson asked her kindly as she tugged at her ponytail.

"Its not anything. I'm nothing. No one of any real significance or value. I can't help anyone. I can't help protect the protector anymore. He doesn't wish me to be around anymore. I've by no means witnessed him so enraged, so enraged at me." She started to cry and looked at her reflection and saw no one that was needed.

"Katara! If he hurt you I will fight him till he pays for the destruction of a single strand of hair on your head. Count on it!" said Haru

"Haru be logical! He is the Avatar and we have seen what he is capable of when mad at the present moment? Do you not think when he is in this particular state all ready riled up that he won't be able to crush you? He just a kid and I for one do not wish to see him as teenager with a temper. Zuko is bad enough. No offence!" Suki said bluntly.

"All this stress does the body no good. We need to sit and relax. Believe me moody and hot head boys are my area of expertise. I am sure that what every is troubling the young boy is easy remedy." Said Iroh.

"Please, Iroh. I don't believe this is an unproblematic as a one two three stitch up job. This is more then that. I just never thought Aang could be anything more then a sweetly little boy." Katara said as she dried off her eyes.

"I know just by looking in his eyes there is something, something he wish to hides. Though Avatar as lived over a thousand lives he must grow up and learn to deal with life's problems all over again. We want him to be much more then he thinks he can be. But I believe most profoundly that he needs to speak of what inside him. He needs to tell us or her will never be able to move on. I know I must be accumulation to his stress level just being around. All of us contributed in some small way to his heartache." Wyanet said as she held her amulet in her colorless palm and constrict it till she bled.

"What do we do? Akiko I trust your judgment totally but Aang been a good friend to me especially. What we do?" asked Zuko.

"I should've listen to the warning signs. But I was too caught up. Zara please enlighten us with what you have to say about Aang condition." Akiko said kindly to the young lass.

"Thank you, Akiko. This should be so easy. But you have to be in my position to understand Aang a little bit better. We've both been cursed/blessed with powers, abilities and reasonability neither of us wanted but are forced to do. Because in life we must to what needs to be done. No matter if we hurt someone's feelings"

"All my existence I have been plagued by my mother gift that Ozai turned into a curse. Though the use of my subconscious mind I've been able to feel the collective emotions and feelings of all who dwell within my dreams whilst I slumber at night. But recently I gained a new ability. My powers of empathy have evolved to the point I can feel others emotions with my conscious mind. And we have a bigger problem then just beating one madman who melamanic strategies for globe domination may come into fruitarian despites our best efforts to keep that from passing. We have a child with the weight of the world literally on his shoulder and so much more going on beyond that of what we original thought." She said as she wept her eyes as the tears fell on the splintered weedy ground.

"What do you mean beyond what we originally thought?" asked Katara as she stood up very fast and furiously.

"Think about. It's not hard to image for us. I mean think just think about! We have all had are fair share of pains and tragedies in our lives, but we have all been mature enough to deal with them. And we have all had the support of our families to get us through, when our mother died and Uncle Iroh you were there comforting us when the man who had wed her and sired us both forbidden us from even crying. Katara, Sokka tell me who comforted you after your mom was stolen from you?" asked Zara astutely.

"Our father and Gran-Gran. They helped us and we helped them. Broke all our hearts as if the fire that killed had turn to ice and stab us all. For weeks it was like we never be whole again and no amount of tears would make the pain go away." Katara said as she clutched her choker firmly.

"It seemed for us and you time would not erase the pain that felt like a hot blade going in my heart while it was steal beating. Nothing compared to the lose of a love one." Said Sokka as he tried hard not cry as he remember the terrible memories of the day the Fire Nation had destroyed his home.

"Their cruelty knows no limits, not even to the people of its own nation are safe from the flame. But Zara brings up a good point. We had the very least no matter how bad it got we still have our people around. He is the Avatar the LAST AIRBENDER. He has to deal with the weight of the world on his shoulders. As well as he needs to deal with that all that remains of his civilization is he. He is the living legacy of the once great Air Nomads. Zara tell us more what else is bugging him," asked Wyanet as she acknowledged the horrifying reality then turned and eyed Zara cagily.

"Well. Besides being the last of his kind. He will never know his mother or be with his father again. He has to live with two heritages. The one of his lineage and the other his spiritual birthright that come with being the Avatar. Luke, Wyanet and myself we know it's confusing for him because he lived over a thousand times. He has been push to his limits. His past lives and us have been very confusing. They're no time for tears and no time to let the pain rest and subside. Even love for me is confusing. He has a lot on his plate. What can we do to help him?" asked Zara to everyone.

"I do not understand? If only the Avatar is reincarnated why does our present even matter to him?" Katara said confused as she rubbed her side as winced in pain.

"Yes what going on? Is there some kind of secrets you're not telling us? We have a right to know. We're the ones who found him!" challenged Sokka

Luke sighed and spoke up. "On the night of passion while you all were busy with your dates me and Zara were helping Aang deal with a problem. He couldn't contact Avatar Roku. So I performed a ceremony to assist him. Roku's spirit for one hour crossed over into our world. Then he let us view a few of his more precious memories." Luke explained testily.

"Can you be more precise on what the subject of the memories were? It would be most helpful." Crimson inquired to her boyfriend in an apprehension tone of voice.

"We experience some recollections of Avatar Roku training days where he met and made really good friends. Their names were a playful trickster Nusair of Air Nomads, the righteous and charismatic Prince Rafiq of the Earth Kingdom and a young raggedy white haired lad named Timin of the Water Tribe. He was apprehensive and withdrawn but lovable and good hearted. They shared a great deal of simulators to all in this room. We saw how each met him. But we saw one memory which I think he guarded highly." proclaimed Luke as he used a small quantity of water to give an idea about what they had witness that night.

"When Roku went the Isle of the Avatar for the Tournament he brought along his friends. I mean we can all agree that life not worth living if you don't share it with someone right? Well he learned an important lesson at a terrible price. He learned that you must have self-control and not let your emotions lead you astray. The more out of control your emotions are the more unpredictable will your power over the elements be. A terrible storm cost him the life of one of his friends. It was the boy Timin who had just began to live. He died trying to save others. Roku said that the met again in the next life but they would not recognized each other but Timin would still be his friend and vow he would protect him better. He has kept his promise." Explained Zara as she focused intensely on Katara.

"Why you looking at me like that? I don't like it!" she said as she held up her hands out to hide her face. The Silver Sea Serpent insignia on her right palm glowed intensely from Zara's words.

"We have reason to believe that the Avatar is not the only one whose soul is reincarnated. We believe that parts of the souls of those who came before are reborn in certain people. All of us are not just random people. We have been the Avatar's friends over a thousand times before. This cycle is never ending. It is how the term soul mate came to be," enlightened Zara as swept her arms dramatically.

"Wait back up a sec! You are saying we all lived previous to this instant in, this very moment in time? I'm sorry but I have to draw the line somewhere in this crazy world and it just doesn't seem probable of what you are proposing!" claimed Sokka as he continued to whet his boomerang.

"Not every human being. I mean a certain amount of people in the world consider it an extremely valid possibility to pass reminiscences in the course of blood. We are at the moment are speculating that parts of people character are renewed in a new bodies, that all. But the point is every one of the Avatars previous to Aang was mature enough and could handle this manner of constant worry. Nevertheless that as change because of unforeseen circumstances. Aang is at the moment is too immature and not experienced enough to appropriately dealt with this way of thinking. These feeling are overpowering him. This is not a good thing for him, the world or us. So the question becomes how do we help him without causing further damage to the state of affairs?" inquired Luke as he looked at the tired black-circled eyed inhabitants around the primeval splintered stone table.

Everything was still and silent for a moment. Everyone fixed their wandering gaze on Akiko who seem more lost in thought then the rest. She then spoke soft and swift.

"I have be aware of this problem for quite sometime. I thought it would solve itself but I see now that not the case. Still we can't allow this problem to distracted us from our purpose. I said it previous to tonight, that within this game we can't afford slip-ups. Aang must learn to deal with his emotions and life changes like an adult ASAP. Here's what I propose as are course of action. Look at the map on the wall and you see the world. We have successfully remained anonymous in this war. I would love to remain undetected from the surge of those usurpers but we need to test ourselves. As you can plainly see there are three quaint isles. You see them?" she asked as she got up and point to two of the three isles. The one on the northeast side was shaped like an asymmetrical octagon the other one on the northwest side was in the shape of an elongated trapezoid.

"I see them, just fine my young maiden, what to they have to with the problem at hand?" asked Iroh kindly as he smiled at the young goddess. As a former war general he was eager to learn what the daughter of Admiral Zhao had devised.

"I told you before Iroh, we can't have are plans derailed this late in the game. Not even for Aang. So I have a compromise in mind. Now listen up everyone because I'm only going to say this once. In order to test your skills and see if you've learned anything from my training I've come up with a test for you to take. The island on the right is called Caysaya and the other is called La mina. This tiny little one right here, it's about 4 miles away but still safe within the waters of the Archipelago. It is called Ngozi. Now here what I want for you to do. Katara? You, Suki and Wyanet will take a tribe of a fixed number of people selected by yourselves and sail to Caysaya where you will live there for three days with no contact from us or the other tribe. Then at the dawn of the third day you and your tribe will go to Ngozi and participate in a series of challenges created by Luke, Crimson and Iroh. You will have to learn to work together and utilize all the resources available to you to survive. Sokka? You and Haru will be issued the same challenge and you will be fighting the other tribe. Crimson, Luke, and Iroh you go to Ngozi and set up the challenges. Do you have any questions?" asked Akiko as she issued them the task.

"Is they're a reason Zuko and Zara won't be joining us on this challenge?" he asked.

"I have plans for them. You have to trust me, I know what I'm doing General. Now go and pack and pack wisely I expected you ready and at the docks in two hours." She said as the gang filed out of the room, she grabbed hold of Zuko shoulder and said.

"Hang on there. You and Zara each have a very important assignment to fulfill. Zara, I want you for now to go to the tower and put your feet up. When you are needed I will call upon you. Now go little one," she explained to her as Zara bowed respectfully and went to the tower and rested.

"What do you want of me, my little Fire Lily? What can I do to be of assistance?" asked Zuko as he made the flame dance back and forth in his hands.

"Zuky. Aang needs someone to talk to about his feelings. But he won't talk to his normal confidents. Zara is making him even more confused. I have nothing against love, but right now he doesn't need to deal with that kind of emotional turmoil. I believe you should talk to him about what his problems are. Help him find his path out of the darkness and into the light."

"Me? What can I do to help him? I don't know how to help!" he proclaimed in defense.

"That's precisely my point my boy. Trust me on this Zuko. You will know what to say when you listen to your heart. And if that fails just wing it! The dawn fast approaches. I must meditate. I will seek council with the Great Dragons and we can have a nice brunch later all right my love?" she said as she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. Then putting on her guise she said. "Till we meet again my love. Good luck!" And with that she raced out the sunlight catching her blade so nicely.

He kicked the dirt and slammed his fist on the table and cursed. "How am I supposed to help Aang? Well I do owe him. He has help protect what is most dear to me. Why are the words so hard to speak? This should be so easy! Well here it goes. Now to find that monk." He said as he left the room. Closing the stone door behind him and locking it and hiding the key, he ran off to find the young lad who held the fate of the world in his hands.

"Now if I were distress and brooding I'd retreat to what I consider my sanctuary, which was my room on that flouting prison. But where would Aang go? Lets think about this. He loves animals, open space and mountain meadows. Well there is a sea cliff with a meadow boarder by an orchard of cherry blossom trees. If I had a desire to see the sunrise to lift my gloomy spirit and make my soul soar that would be the ideal spot to go too, most definitely. "

Striding rapidly up a weed covered dirt path he came to the spot and saw Aang sitting on a half buried moss covered statue in a scrunch up position. He didn't seem to notice that Zuko was approaching till he brushed against a crystal. When he kicked it a flash of rainbows blazed before Aang who was blind by the pretty colors.

"Who there? What going on? Can't I be left in peace? Must the torture continue?" he bellowed angrily He looked like an angry wind demon when he got ready to attack but halted when Zuko held up his arms in defense.

"Whoa! Aang! Please don't blow me away! We're family! Come on let's talk. We're all worried about you! So lets chat," he said sympathetically

"There is nothing to talk about! But thanks anyway, Zuko, I mean it. But I don't need anyone. I just want to be left alone right now," Aang replied as clutched the lemur doll tightly in his right hand.

"That a very nice doll," he said pointing to it, "Does it he have a name?" asked as he gently unclenched the child's hand to look at the old doll. He could tell by its dull colors and tattered appearance that it had been undeniably treasured most deeply.

"Her name is Akio, and it means 'Beloved.' Her caregiver Rozene gave her to my mom on her first birthday. Her name meant rose blossom. In her diary she wrote that her guardian Rozene forever and a day sported a headdress of roses in her lengthy black locks. Akio develop into one of her closest friend. She put in writing in one her very last entries she said there were only four people she care for so much she die for them. That was the love of her life my father Gyasto, the one she thought of as her mother, Rozene, her best friend Akio and finally her son, me." His eyes begin to pore over with tears of equally of rage and mourning. He fell to the soil in a wrinkled pile and pulverized the grime till the dust and the grass stained his fair skin.

"Its not fair! Why! Why did they have to die? Why did all my people have to die! Why did this stupid war have to start! Why did I have to be the Avatar? Why!" he screamed

Zuko knew he must be swift and quick or they have a worse tantrum then the last one. That was something that needed to be avoided at all cost.

"It's painful. There are no words that could possibly describe what you feel right now. You're confused, angry, and sad. You want justice and vengeance. You wish it would all go away like a bad dream. But it won't and it lingers around you. You tried to hide in your dreams, but they can't save you from the bitter reality. The pain never really dies. You think if do allow yourself to move on you're betraying their memories," he supplied as began to wipe Aang face clean.

"I never got chance to know my mother. I didn't know that Gyasto was my father. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. All these feelings and memories I have. I have no idea how to handle them. I can't deal with them and I've tried really. Momo and Appa are great helpers because they are also the last of their kind as well. We're all that left of the Air Nomads and the once great culture. But I feel all-alone when I'm with people. You could never understand what its like," Aang confessed quietly.

"My mother in case you've forgotten was murdered. She was also stolen from me, like your mom was. Tell me do you have an happy memories of your upbringing with Gyasto?"

"Gyast… My father was an exceptionally kind man. Love to bake, was a great pi sho player, and incredibly tolerant and thoughtful. He never yelled at me. Always looked out for me and want only what was best for me. He gave me my own glider on my last birthday he made it himself. He was always there to catch me when I fell and help me stand again. We roasted litchi nuts in the winter and was by my side in mere secs when I asked for him." Aang said with a sighing with a heavy heart as he gazed at the sun.

"You're very lucky. I have no real sweet memory to cherish. One thing that stands out in my mind is when I was 9, my mother died a few months before, and it was my birthday. All I want was a present from my father and it just be the two of us for the day. On all my other birthdays my mom always did something special with us. But she was gone. I woke up early but no special meals awaited me, everyone ignored me. No one said "Happy Birthday Zuko" I tried not to show it but I was deeply hurt. Even more when father wasn't around. Then just before sunset Uncle came in with Zara and they were smiling. He said kindly,

"I know you are brokenhearted that your birthday hasn't gone as planed. That your father isn't here for your special day. But he did pick out an extraordinary present for you to make up for it. Happy birthday, Zuko!" he said as he revealed the most stunning scarlet kite.

"At the time I had believed what Uncle said, but I know now he loves me like a son when my own father cares nothing about me. I kept that kite for it means that someone loved me enough to make me feel like I'm a worth wild person. Tell me from what you've comprehend in the journals what have you learned about your heritage?" He asked as he finished cleaning Aang's face off.

"Well my mom, Akanke, she was a lot like me. She cherished animals and having fun. She also was very brilliant when it came to music and art. She had a lot of friends and was not terrified of taken chances. But she was afraid of a few things," Aang recalled as he picked up the journals he had brought with him.

"What was she petrified of, Aang?" Zuko asked thoughtfully.

"She was terrified of drowning, because she couldn't swim very well. She was petrified of fire. She experience extreme uncomfortable ness in outsized earsplitting crowds. "

"She sounds like she would have gotten along great with my mom. Can I see some of her work, please?" he asked as he looked over some of the more beautiful illustrations. Then observed a number of sketches of Aang's personal handiwork.

"Looks like you have a lot of your mother inside you. Oh look this page is marked with some kind of pictogram. Can you read this to me, if its alright, I mean." He asked pointing to a page with a miniature emblem in the corner.

"She was writing about when she meet my father. She was my age. It was at a dance. It was the Harvest moon dance. She had gone to the Southern Air Temple for the first time. She was there with Rozene and a few other girls. She really didn't care for the giggling and the gossiping. She was a bit shy when there was a huge crowd. She noticed Rozene talking to a monk from the temple. He was blind in his right eye and a goatee. She could tell Rozene fancied him and left to wander. She wandered till she had found a quite spot. Let me read it too you." He said as he propped open the book and began to read the entry.

"Today is going to be a special day indeed. I can feel it as I gaze upon the beautiful ball of skyfire in the sky. It looks like a shining copper piece in an infinite sea of tranquil blue in the air. Tonight we begin our journey to the Southern Temple for this year Harvest Dance. Three days of long traveling with half a dozen girls singing way off key cause the can't hold a tune to save their lives. All the others girls are getting all dress up and making themselves look like air headed idiots. I mean just because we are from the nation of Air does not mean we have to have our minds full of hot air! Still I've slaved for three weeks straight with sweat, blood, and blisters to make this special robe for the occasions. Rozene been so patient as she tried to teach me to sew but I'm the only girl in this temple who can't. Still I'm the best when it comes to Airbending. I've been a master for the past six years! Oh well at least I can work on my music and art on the trip. I hope I can find a new muse; I'm in desperate need of inspiration. Oh I better go to breakfast now. Rozene will be mad if I'm late for the fortnight in a row."

"She sounds a lot like you, Aang. You seemed to have a lot of your mother in you. Please read more this is really intriguing." Zuko prompted as they spread out on soft grass.

"Well here what she had to say about the voyage."

"We are on our way. One and all are so keyed up by the festive, but not me. I can't shake this feeling that something going to happen that will change my life when I get there. None of my friends want to anything other then talk about boys. Rozene says I'm the for the most part the most mature girl in the temple then why don' t I like boys? I'm just 12! Why do people want me to act like a grown up when I'm just a little girl? Oh well at least we are far away from that lake we stop at last night. I don't want to spend another second around that lake in particular. Almost drowning in that lake once was bad enough! I will not go through it again. When you are seven and nearly die by disappearing forever under the waves is enough for me thank you very much! Akio is warmer then I am, since she is tucked safely away in my back pocket. Well we shall arrive by dawn. Till morning light shines upon my face once more I will sleep. Oh no they are going to start singing again. When we'll they realize that they can't sing at all? Poor me! As if my delicate and sensitive ears didn't suffer enough! Oh sometimes I extreme dislike having such large ears! It is such a pain!"

"So that why your mom was scared of water. A near fatal drowning accident as a child where she almost breathed her last breathe. Do you have sensitive ears as well I mean you do have such fairly large ears?" Zuko said with a brief chuckle that Aang join him in.

"Sometimes they are bit more sensitive. They landed me in quite a bit of trouble from time to time. I was the best eavesdropper back home. I was always the lookout when we went to steal dessert from the kitchens because I could hear anybody from about two miles away!" laugh Aang reminiscing an almost ancient history of a memory.

"It is good to hear you laugh! Keep going I want to know how your parents met. It sounds like it would be a great story. I do love a good story!" he said as he flipped the page and Aang begin to interpret more of his mom tale.

"The social gathering is in progress! Everyone is laughing and playing! Everyone that is but me. I'm not afraid of change. I fear nothing unknown in life. I love taken chances. But I can't relate to kids that well. I have friends but I'm still more of an outsider then a companion. I want some who likes me for me. Who will make me feel like is special and signifying person in this world. It too earsplitting! Man my eardrums feel like on fire! Oh I hate fire! Why I don't know! Maybe I will find peace and quite in the sanctuary!"

"At last peace. Now lets see if I can work on my music. I just finished doing my self-portrait. I love the stories of the legendry Avatars. I've always felt that I had a spiritual connection to these special unique individuals. Well let's see if being in the presences of these statues inspires me. I think I will call this one the Balled of the Avatars."

"I would love to hear that melody, Aang, can you play it? It is the song in your heart. We each have one in our hearts that ours and ours alone my mom once said. She said each heart sings a different song and if we listen closely we can hear it. So play it. Here you mom's flute. Take it and play." Said Zuko as he pushed the flute into Aang hands.

He clutched the precious interment tightly in his trembling hands. He closed his eyes and breath deep. His heartbeat steady and he pressed the flute to his lips. He began to listen to his heart and played the most beautiful melody as he followed the notes on the page. Though they had fade with time he played them like he had know them all his life.

The song carried by the wind and weaved its way through the tightly packed trees. All the inhabitants paused to listen to the song that had a different message for each person. It was like something that could only be found in one soul and only if that soul was a beautiful as natural wonders found in the precious gift of the natural world.

As he finished Zuko smiled widely and clapped. "You have the gift of music alright. Your mother was beyond doubt out of the ordinary. Like mother like son. We both are the same, we take after our moms, but I'm still curious to unearth further information regarding Gyasto. He raised you and he seemed to if truth were told cherish your mom I mean look at this! Stacks and stakes of letters very very passionate letters I might add. So how they meet, fall in love and have you? There must be more in their journals," he said with legitimate enthusiasm to hear the rest of the tale.

"I was so busy listening to the tune that was flowing through me, that I didn't notice someone came in. I was so startled fell over and hid behind the statue of the last Avatar. My heart was racing with much anticipation. I was scared when a shadow overshadowed me. I got and got ready to attack and used Airbending to knock the stuffing out of the stranger. They attacked with their own bending and we both were blown fifty feet. We both got up groaning and our eyes met. This maybe what you consider a fairy tale or even a child crush. But when my soft gray met those soothing light crystal blue eyes for the first time, it was beyond a the shadow of a doubt, once in million dreams and lifetime pure and true love. My breath was stolen, as was my heart. He was the most handsome thing I had ever laid eyes on. Even in my wildest imaginings did no mortal of such purity dwell."

"Hello I'm sorry! Let me help you up." I said kindly as I leaded a hand.

"You are one wicked bender. I've never met my equal here till I met you. You certainly have one wickedly creative mind." He said kindly

"I'm so sorry. You startle me. I'm sorry" I apologized humbly.

"Its alright, I'm fine. But you can stop squeezing me or you risk cutting off my air supple." He whispered when she realized she was hugging him too hard.

"Sorry!" I replied sheepishly as I blushed scarlet as the autumn leaves.

"What are you doing in here anyway? Why aren't you at the celebration?" he asked her kindly as he picked my possessions.

"Well I'm shy around people. I don't fit in exactly. I'm weird. Plus the racket irritates my ears. This was the quietest place in the whole temple. Sorry again I'm too busy talking and you don't even know my name nor to do I know yours. So tell me what is it?" I asked him shyly as clutched my diary tightly to my chest.

"It is Gyasto and your milady?" he asked her thoughtfully

"My name is Akanke and it means " To meet her is to love her."" I told him proudly.

"Then it must be true because I'm by now unable to help the fact that I'm hopeless, breathless falling in love with you." Gyasto confessed to me despite the fact that he was going red in the face intensely.

We spent the whole night talking. Our only companions were the silent statues of the past Avatars who eyes seemed to glow by our presence. Before we part ways he gave me my first kiss. It was at twilight and under the shade of an acacia tree. He told me it was planted centuries ago to remind us that the Avatar is an undying symbol of immortally and resurrection. He is wise and sweet. He taught me to back cakes that would make a king mouth water like a child on his birthday."

"Well that seems like a fairy tale come true. What happen later?" he inquired him softly.

"Well they grew up both at opposites ends of the world. But through letters and meeting occasional their love was strong and true. When they both had become the new head monks at their temples they slipped away into a fortnight before they were properly inducted into their new roles. Not a soul knew that they were in love or that where they had gone when they to go tie the knot." He said as he flipped a head a small number of chapters.

"Monks getting married? You mean walking down the aisle and saying the vows and saying I do? The whole shebang? I didn't think that was possible I thought the only time your people got together was for celebrations and for the infrequent moments in time when you got in bed together." Zuko spoke up in shock.

"My parents were very different. They loved each other more then life its self. I've read their words and feel that love that they felt. It is like a warm blanket wrapping me up. Here in Gyast… I mean my dad's journal he wrote about their days together when they decide to dare. Dare to dream. Here let me read it too you.

"Tonight I will meet with my beloved. We are both to been inducted as the new head monks. But that is not to happen for a fortnight. Tonight we meet at the most spiritual spot we can think of. In our world it is the western mountains, the Adebayo, just outside the Fire Nation. There is a spot is called Anil and Anka's keep. They were the first set of twins born in the Air Nomads are buried here. We have asked a very special man, one whose deeds and acts of kindness as well as his noble and selfless are sought after by half the world. He is highly respected and very important. He considers it an honor to wed us. He will meet us there and under the light of the full moon we shall be wed not just in our hearts by in bonds of love and words. Soon so soon. I must saddle up Aren in 4 short hours we will meet and then we finally be together. A dream we have had since we meet in the sanctuary when we just 12 years old. I baked a special cake just for the occasion. Shh Aren! We must be quite as a mouse."

"We have arrived! I feel her in my arms and her touch is the greatest sensation my fingers have ever had the privileged to feel. Her lips have loved and tendering my lips with her soft warm breathes of life on my chapped lips. She has shown me all that is wonders of life. The seven wonders of the world are to see, she see the world in all colors and views them like a child but still see the good were other do not. She hears the song of the heart and listens to others with her beautiful ears. We both cherish our sense of taste. To really appreciate all in the world has to offer. We love as equally the abilities to touch, feel, laugh and finally the great wonder of them all the ability to love. The 8th world wonder can only be this, to be alive and to share all the other seven with someone or someone's you love. Akanke my love."

"We wait with are hearts racing what were are daring to will break all the way of life we of the Air Nomads have followed since the beginning of time. But Love beckons us. We love each other. The old winds that brought us together so long ago have once again found their way home to lead our hearts into this future. Akanke has been a tad quite this twilight eve. In all the time I've known her I known that she is very very intuitive. She seems able at times to see the future. I asked what is bothering her and all she can say is she knows that something is coming that will change the fate of the world. We need not wait long. He is here. There is only one person in the world that is able to tie the knot for us. Avatar Roku. At last he is here and he can help us say I do!"

"Hello young Airbenders. Welcome to this spot. Now are you ready to take the big jump?" asked Roku

"We have never been more honored. Thank you, oh thank you so much. We know what we are about to do goes against everything we're taught but we love each other and we feel we must be truly married not just in our hearts but also for real. This is our destiny and will follow the river waters that have become my skyway to many unforeseen events. That has been both wonderful and awful. But I have never been surer this is what I must. So thank you." Akanke bestowed him with her blessed words of praise.

"Your words make me blush. I'm only a human as you and him. I feel flattered to do this. Do you have anything to say, Gyasto, before we proceed with this earth-shattering and historic occasion?" Roku said kindly as he led them to the alter where the ceremony was to begin momentarily.

"No words can describe what I've felt and dare to dream about since I was but a 12 year old boy. I love woman as much as the world. I would give anything for her even my life. So lets stop talking and do this. None of us are getting any younger! Oh sorry Avatar Roku. I didn't mean any thing by it." I humble apologized.

"Being who I am, I've lived over a thousand lives and have a thousand more yet to live. Growing old doesn't frighten me as it did as a child. I eagerly await my journey to the Spirit World. I sense something about the both you. Something good extremely good will indeed come form this union. Now you ready to be married?" Roku ask as stroked his beard out of impatient.

"Yes" we chimed.

"Alight then. Let us begin. Each of you takes a candle in your right hand and a crystal-jeweled chalice in your left. Now repeat these words. Gyasto? Do you Gyasto chosen son of Bem of the Air Nomads, take this woman as your own? Do you solemnly swear on your life and honor to light the way for you and Akanke? Do merge your souls and have your heart beat has one?" asked Roku in a solemn voice to the young man.

"I swear to always light the way." He replied sincerely

"Do you Akanke chosen daughter of Rozene, also give your word to the same promise to light your lover way in darkness as well?" Roku inquired her.

"I give you my word on my honor and life, that I will keep my promises of love that I make tonight on this holy ground." She replied from the bottom of her heart.

They watched in astonishment as he flicked his aged eyes and the candles lit up.

"Excellent, now as I tie this sash of countless colors around your wrists. This signify that both through the times of sorrowfulness and grief as well as times of happiness and gratification you will be in love with and take pleasure in each other. You will never discard one another in your moment of need. Do you agree to this oath?" he said as he tied a dazzlingly multicolor silk sash around their wrists. They nodded their heads.

"Now drink from this elixir to bind your sprits and soul for all time in both living and the spirit world." He said a he poured from a gold urn into their chalices. Now cross arms and drink." As he continued instructed them.

They chalices clicked with an ideal chime and they drank.

"Now exchange your vows. Then will come the words of wisdom then the union object. So Gyasto your first, go, please." Roku gestured to him.

"Akanke. Form the moment we meet all those years ago. I only had one dream and that was to be yours. Form that moment you were the one who I want be beside me. Never in front two steps or back two just beside me as an equal. I will love for the rest my life; so even if you die you will still be loved. Nothing can separate what is in my heart and that is love beyond measure." Gyasto said as he squeezed her hand.

"I only have three simply words to say to you and there're the hardest to say. I will simple say I love you and I won't take back or deny what I feel. Nothing can track our love not even the most horrendous of foul monster. Nor can any weapons forged by man's hand can break it. I'm yours now and forever. You one I run to for sanctuary. We belong together and to each other." She stated proudly as she hugged him tightly.

"Those were beautiful color words of power and meaning. Now then for a few words of my own wisdom. Uh um. With every experience you alone are painting your own canvas, thought-by-thought, choice-by-choice. (Oprah Winfrey) In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die, and the choices that we make are ultimately our responibitly. (Eleanor Roosevelt) Remember cherish every moment that you breathe both the good and the bad and no matter how bad things get remember love is always there and don't shut the world out live in it. Now too seal the deal and wed you two do you have a symbol of your union?" he asked them.

"We do, Avatar we do. This is it." They said as the turn over their beads and on the back of their medallions was a carved symbol of the ancient of languages that meant forever love.

"All right. Then, Gyasto do you pledge your life, honor and spirit to Akanke forever and always?" asked Roku.

"With this oath of my heart I swear my heart is yours always." He said to Akanke

"Do you Akanke swear on your life, honor and spirit to Gyasto forever and always?"

"With this oath of my heart I swear my heart is yours always." She responded

"Then I now declared that you Akanke and you Gyasto are one, now and forever. You may kiss at this time. Congratulations and best wish." whispered contentedly Roku with a smile as he kissed both their foreheads.

"They were in reality romantic dreamers. They had the courage to attempt the impossible. That must have taken a great deal of guts. You? Aang have a grand inheritance. You are so lucky. I wish that I had such impressive bloodline. You should be swollen with pride. Anything else in the diary?" inquired Zuko as he slung his arm over Aang 's shoulder in comforted as they came to a embroider page near the middle of Akanke's diary.

"This makes no sense to me. I don't know what she talking about. What does this word mean?" he asked as he pointed to the fourth sentence.

"Well read and maybe I can tell you what it means. Go on. This your story you alone should be the one to read it." Replied Zuko as he picked a dandelion puff and blew it gently.

"Gyasto carried me to our little hid away. He was smiling so much it almost hurt my eyes to look up at him. Then we did what all living creatures have done since time was born into existences. We consummated our marriage. We gave ourselves to one another. In those few precious moments we knew all the answers in the universe or since the dawn of time. We see things in all colors and some of the vibrate colors didn't possesses even names. The world for one night is perfect and only two people existence within. I'm no more a maiden now I am a women."

"What is she talking about? "Consummate their marriage?" asked Aang clearly not been given the 'Talk' yet.

"How do I explain this? Um you remember what Sokka was telling you about getting your first 'wet dream?" he inquired him with embarrassment.

"Just what are you getting at, Zuko?" he asked him still perplexed as ever.

Groaning in disgust he whispered the details concerning the facts of life and what happen during that awful time know as puberty.

"So that what happens when you get older, but don't do it to my sister till you're at least of 21 years of age! And are ready to deal with any consequence that come with it!" he warned him.

"Alright like facts of life haven't forever impaired me. So they had um … sex, followed by my birth. That would explain the next entry in the diary."

"The seed has been sown in field. I can feel him; he is already in my womb. I know his thoughts and I know his feelings. I know I'm carrying the next Avatar. I just know. I wouldn't jest at such important fact. Still these dreams and thoughts I've been having I can't ignore what I'm feeling. I'm swollen with both child and pride but also fear seems to want to weave its way into my heart. I know what my son is in for and I fear that won't be there for him. May the spirits watch over us all."

"The time has come, the day of our son birth is mere hours away. Gyasto and me have request a private room for the deliver of our son. He has been so good to me so gentle and loving. The contractions are right on top of one another and I'm doing my best not break my secret husband hand as he helps me through a pain that has no words to describe what I'm feeling. It feels like hell. The head is coming out AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"He is alive! My beautiful son is alive! Neither of us is too surprised that his eyes were open when he came into this world or were glowing with intensely of light. He is so small, so innocent, and so fragile. My little wind rider, our son the new Avatar is born. His little fingers a clinging to mine. For one moment just this one moment we are a family. I kiss him and my husband then fall to sleep with my son in my arms as he eagerly feeds on my milk."

"We are gathered in what will become our son room in time. Gyasto and I both know what is expected. Our son is to be taken from me in mere hours after he was born, and I shall never get to see him grow up. I will never see him learn to walk, to laugh, talk or any things a mother should be there to see. I look at him now he doesn't realize what in store for him. Being the spirit of the planet in human skin isn't easy. Both my and my wind walker agree he needs to be loved and allowed to live the life of a normal boy. Gyasto promise when he turns 16 or when our son begins his training that he will summon me and we go together as a family and we will all be together forever. I can't say good-bye to him. I've loved him since he became part of me nine months prior. I remember how Roku aged old eyes had looked when he married us. He has departed this life giving our son this blessing. But is it a blessing or a curse? We both have cried. Gyasto promise me he will care for him. He just asked me what is the name of our son; I've chosen a very powerful and lovely name. His name for now and all time shall be Aang, Aang Wind Rider. I leave a letter for him for besides my love I have nothing else to offer my son. Please be out of harm's way Aang. I will until the end of time love you."

He used a bookmark cloth and then little by little closed the diary. " She really cared about me. She wanted to be there for me. I don't think I can finish it. I can't conclude them. I'm not strong enough. I don't want to read their ends. It just too agonizing." He said as start to put it back in the keepsake box when Zuko stop him. Aang gazed at him with a peculiar expression.

"Aang I'm familiar with it be agonizing to remember those you cherished later on after they depart this life. It's just as much as the day the scar was craved into your beating heart. But if you are every going to come to terms with these feelings inside you, you have to finish the story. Then and only then will you be ready to deal with the rest of your emotions. Don't be scared. I'll be here. Finish it." He said as open the book for him and flipped to the correct page.

Taking a deep breath he continued reading form both books. He found two pages in particularly that perked his interest. It was the last four pages in the books. He began to read Gyasto's.

"He has vanished. Vanished into thin air! I know not where. I feared as much. Those heartless cretins! He is just a child! He scared and confused. Oh if I had only told him the truth. I promise my love my wife, Akanke that I would never let anything happen to our son. He is our son first and Avatar second. I especially hate that emaciated aged prune Monk Sho! I was protecting my SON! None of the other monks have any children of their own flesh and blood. IF war as we have feared for so long does come to pass it be on their heads. I damn their spirits to the underworld; Anto will make certain those four get their just dessert. I knew having Akanke's ears could be sign of trouble. I know I don't have to tell my wife that he gone. She has warned me that this day would come. Still I do anything to have his our little Wind Rider home. I go search for him but the others would kill me first. They say my duty to this temple. Aang I will pray for you, that you are safe. For now all this rain falling from the skies that we have claimed as ours are the tears of your parents sorrow. All the pain we have felt is descending with each drop. Can anything good, grow from such pain? I know as the Avatar you are strong, but as my son are you strong enough to make the journey required? To begin a journey one must have courage; to finish a journey one must have perseverance. May the great spirits watch over us. Whatever fate destiny has dealt us I plead with you now. Where on earth my son, Aang Wind Rider, is I begged you to watch over him. He maybe the world only chance for survival but let him still have what he desires. May he have friends to watch over him. And find out the truth one day. I love him more then he could ever know. Please don't make me break my promise."

" I will now never be able to see my son Aang again. I hate those people. People need to stop thinking like the Avatar isn't human. He is just a little boy! He is human and I can't understand why I'm the only one who sees that! I remember when he was born and he was so lively so beautiful. I loved him since he came to be in my womb. These sketches I've drawn of him over these past twelve years. I have only them now drawn from the words of my husband letters. I sing only songs of mourning and heartache. No words can mend my broken heart; no words could ever hope to describe accurately what I've felt day after day knowing how he was on the other side of the world. Oh Great Spirits hear my cries and help me find a way to help my son whose never-ending spirit cannot die. Help me help him. I want only what is best for my son. He is alone and without help; he doesn't realize how much he is missed! Oh my little Wind Rider where are you? I know you aren't dead but where can you be? Oh Aang!"

"I didn't mean to disappear. I didn't want them to be worried. It funny but the night Appa and me ran away I was thinking of her. I'd just had a dream of all of us together. Now to read the last page." He said with a gulp he flicked to the last page of the diary and began reading about his parents' final moments of life.

"Aang has been gone for a week, the other monks thought he would be back by now. But I know my son better then that. If he doesn't want to be found he wouldn't be, besides I' m beginning to thinking this was meant to be. Still I had a dream last night. A nightmare to be more accurate. I saw fire and red everywhere. There was nothing but pain, rotting decay, and massive carnage. I fear that my worries that our home in sky will be discovered and destroyed by those who worship evil dark flame at night. I warned them but they won't listen. I feel this is my last entry in this journal that my father gave me when I my son age. I had also a waking dream where Aang returns only to find me a corpse. That I can't change still I leave this book behind incase anyone finds to remember how I lived my life and died. I see red on the horizon and it's not the sun. I love my wife Akanke and my son Aang. I will fight for them. Maybe this book will find its way into his hands one day so he may always have a way to look back. Monk Gyasto, son of Bem, Husband to Akanke, Father to Aang and Head Monk of the Southern Air Temple."

"As the Fire Nation fast approaches no one believes me that they will strike at dawn when they are most powerful. This is my last entry. I miss my son and husband but I will die knowing at least my son is safe. I took a look through his eyes and I know he safe till the world needs him. May all my prays be answered. I want to keep my promise. That we will meet somehow someway to be together. I want to see his gray eyes again. We are all about to die. The Fire Nation won't let one Airbender live through this mass holocaust. But I know when all the elements come together and fight as one that evil of dark fire will be gone. I only have feared fire because I knew it would become my executioner. But I know my son will have friends when he returns to this world from all the nations. They will be his family. Water, Earth, Fire, and Air as one will win this war that will start today. Nature is a precious gift that we must all share, we must love the earth and each other, are brothers and sisters with all our fire. We will ride the wind to take to our dreams. We must all find the power within each of us. Destiny waits for the entire world. We will decide the fate of the world wither it is for good or ill. I love this world with all my heart's fire and even when I die which is coming closer I won't be forgotten. I love you Aang, Gyasto, Rozene, and Akio. Remember how I chose to live and that death is not evil. I love the world. And my son will restore it to perfection. Monk Akanke, daughter of Rozene, Wife to Gyasto, Mother to Aang, and Head Monk at the Eastern Air Temple."

Aang closed the books and held them close to his chest. He started to cry and Zuko embraced the little boy in arms as he started to cry too. He rubbed Aang back and said soothing. "Its alright, Aang. We have all lost people to the Fire Nation. But we are here and we can change it so no one else has to suffer. If you think about if we don't stop Ozai more people will suffer under him even my people. You at least now know that your parents loved you. And missed you. You have a proud lineage. You are their son first and Avatar second.

You mom was right we are more then friends, Aang, we are brothers I will protect you as my mother Zalika want me to do. Its ok to cry!" he said. They cried for a few more moments then stopped.

Drying their eyes Aang looked at Zuko. He wasn't so fear provoking or imitating with that repulsive scar removed. He looked kindhearted and very caring now. It became quite easy to see way Zara and Akiko loved him. But something he said bothered him.

"Brothers? But I'm an only child. We aren't even from the same country. What are you talking in relation to regarding this subject? You got a sister." Aang asked bewildered and not understand the meaning or importance of Zuko's words.

"Your mom and mine equally believed strongly that we are one race, not four different countries but just one race and that is mankind. We all are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. But we can be brothers as you've heard family isn't simply about blood. I will be your brother. You already have been like a little brother to the rest of us. Aang I can tell you have a long way to go on your journey. But you don't have to be alone on it. Talk to us. We are always there for one another. You know Aang in life there are things we just can't control. Like there will for ever and a day until the end of time be periods of jubilation and times sorrowfulness but just because something gets really ghastly doesn't mean you have to shut out the world." Zuko enlighten with the same beliefs his mom had tried to endow him with. It was amazing how a few simple words could be so colorful and powerful.

"Zuko, um I want say thanks. Yes my life ever since they told me who I was has been a rocky winding road. I'm glad we are friends. Mom wanted me to be content and so did Dad. Perhaps I can honor them and their memories. But I still wish I could say good-bye. They both ought to have an appropriate funeral. I know where my father is. He is lying in the midst of hundreds of Firebenders carcass. I've never been to the Eastern Air Temple. I don't know where she would be. But I would like them buried in the west were they got married. They ought to have that much at the very least. I can't move forward till I have said good-bye. I need to cry for both of them. You understand don't you?" he asked his fire brother.

"I know what you mean. I'll let Akiko know at our brunch you want to talk to her. Maybe she can help you. But remember if you need to talk then talk. I do think next time you see Katara and Sokka you better apologize to them. I've gotten to be going but I check in on later. Why don't you stay and contemplate your feelings for awhile?" he said to him kindly as he got up and dust himself off. He then started down the path when Aang ran up to him and hugged him tightly around the middle. He was shocked at first but smiled and returned hug.

"You are defiantly the right person to rule the Fire Nation. I look forward to the day with great anticipations." He said happily as undid the embraces.

"Thanks. I don't want to be late for my brunch. See you around Aang. Remember what we just talked about for the last hour and half ok?" Zuko said knowingly as he went down the path at out of sight.

"Mom, Dad. I wish you could be here to tell me what do. But maybe I can do something to help you rest in peace. I do swear on my life, and my honor that will for fill my duties as both your son and as the Avatar. I promise I won't fail you, Mother, Father." He said as he got on knees and started to pray.

"I've never thought you could be serious, Aang, but I 'm not entirely surprised. You look much better now that you talk to someone. Still I need to tell you something would that I think would mean a lot to you." Spoke Zara as she emerged like a goddess from the grove of cherry blossom. The petals blew gently as the sunlight combined to make her look like an ink drawing on rice paper beauty.

"Zara. I love you. I love everyone in our family but can you blaming me for feeling the way I do?" he asked her in defense to her piercing yellow eyes.

"No, Aang I won't blame you for something that part of human nature. My mom just sent me a song. She said that both she and your mom have been busy writing it for you. They want me to sing to you." She said as she let down her rich red hair in a wave of curls. She started to trace her fingers around his face and walk around at the same time as dancing. "Here take the flute and play the melody that your heart tells you to play." She began to vocalize her voice for a few moments and then he began to play along with her.

"I hope you dance."

" I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, you get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand besides the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. Dance! I hope you dance I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Livin' might mean takin' chance but they're worth takin' Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin' Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to sellin' out reconsider. Give the heavens above more the just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit out or dance. Dance! I hope you dance I hope you dance. Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along. Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone. I hope you dance I hope you dance. I hope you dance."

They sang and played a beautiful song and melody.

"That was beautiful. Thanks come let us go for a walk. Or would you rather fly?" he asked as he unfolded his glider and took her in his arms. Then they jettisoned off the cliff and began to take to the air.

As they wizen on by Zuko had to smile. He went over to a bush and picked the pretties flowers he could find. In the middle of all them was a solitary perfect red rose. He plucked it with care not wanting to be pricked by the thorn. Sniffing deeply he smiled and took the secret road to where he and Akiko would have their brunch.

It was an aged gazebo with an aged grandiose glass and cherry wood table. She was putting the finishing touches on the table as she draped a gold and burgundy silk tablecloth over the table and placed two crystal wineglasses on top and filled them each with a deep crimson fluid from a lime flagon.

On hearing his approaching she smiled and said in a contented and elated voice. "Oh Zuky." As she ran into his waiting arms and snuggled close.

"You seem happy on the outside but I can tell you are concealing what you are really thinking and feeling. So don't even attempt to fool me." Zuko said to her as they walked to the table and he place the bouquet in the semiprecious stone vase.

With a slight chuckle and an embarrassed smile she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the side of his face. Then began to massage his shoulders. "You could always see through the false faces I put on. I do wish to know some things, but first let's eat." She said as she stood up and went to her end of the table.

Sniffing the delicious aroma coming from underneath the dishes was alone enough to make his mouth water.

"It smells fantastic. Simple breathtaking! What pray tell is it?" he inquired as he rubbed his hands together and licked his lips.

"Well we have mixed berry muffins and raisin bread with a little porridge and a number of sausages. We also have crab Rangoon and noodles and duck. With various lip-smacking puddings and ice cream, with a side of fresh fruit. So dig in. There's plenty for the both of us." She said as she filled up her plated and bit into her sausage.

"This is really good duck. Uncle would like this maybe we can save him a few scraps of food?" he said as he bit deep into the tender dark meat of the waterfowl.

"Alright. We don't want to squander rations in any case. Do you like your daiquiri? Is it to your liking?" she said as she sipped hers out of the semiprecious stone wineglass.

"A little strong, but not too bad for a do-it-yourself mixture of strawberries, ice, and that bubbly water from those underground geysers thrown together At least it's nice and cold! One and a half glass will be sufficient enough for me. I 'm glad you don't like the alcoholic version of this drink. I wouldn't want to be intoxiecated, and acting like a chicken with their head cut off. I have to be a role model for Zara." He said to with a gulp.

"Its funny. This is the very same drink that Zhao would drink before he smash up my mom. He likes alcohol a little too much. He like this and that rare Magma Blaze that he got so high on that substance he destroyed by the use of his fire of death Zara's hand. Then you got punished for that. I was conceived on this substance, you know." She said as she held the glass arms length away and let the light refracted off it. She looked memorized by its flawless beauty. But her eyes and lips were in a locked in a look of pure fury and repugnance.

"Zhao is mighty fond of the drink, isn't he? No wonder he got such a blustery attitude. Then I guess that his excuse because just about every black hearted two face son of a jackal in our country is cold heart without mercy asshole!" spat Zuko as he drank deeply his daiquiri.

"Yes poison comes in many shapes and forms. Now how did your talk with Aang go? I'm most eager to hear the details concerning him." She said as she rest her head between her long delicate hands and smiled.

He sighed in annoyed and wiped the sauce off his face. "We had a long talk." He started as he began to cut his veal up careful not to masticate it in his wide-open trap.

"Go on, Zuky. Tell me. Better yet sing me a story. The way your mom used to do it. She had quiet the knack for it if I remember correctly. And don't cut it like you are trying to saw down a redwood all right?" she said as bit her lips.

"All right. We talk a lot and I mean a lot about his parents. That was the biggest issue on his mind. We talked about how when bad things happen you don't shut the world out. He is Rozene's grandson, the spiting image of his father and even now when she has been dead for a century times his mother still his biggest fan. I have no doubt in my mind that he will grow to be an exceptional young man. I have declared something today that I want to be made know when the rest of the family are here."

"What is that o honorable Prince Zuky I mean Zuko?' she asked him smiled at him mysteriously.

"I told him that we are brothers. We are bond not by blood but our friendship. There are has always been an incredibly out of the ordinary relationship linking us together. I remember our first encounter most vividly in my memory."

"The person I was back then seems so alien to me now. I was so full of rage and with a temper only match by the intensity of the heat of my flame. That scar was so gruesome; a mark of humiliation, it was given to me for shameful weakness and dishonor. That what it stood for to everyone back home. That precisely what my "father" thinks I am. I'm not anything, just an insignificant person. Not even worth living. He had to brand me like I was a sick calf that was then sent to the slaughterhouse. But I think differently. I think I am honorable more honorable then that demon will ever will be. Aang help me see my own value within my self. He reminded me why my mom called me Scarlet Dragon."

"You are lucky. You have a blood sister and a brother of love. You also had a mother. One's whose love could be compared to her out of the ordinary exquisiteness. She taught you right. You sport her present and sleep with her light of her heart. I wish I were at the very least allowed to meet my mother. I know I look just like her. She gave me my only one of its kind eye color. I wish I could have known her. Funny the Black Spirit Anto took her life just as his sister the White Spirit Alake gave me my life. I'm sorry!" she burst into tears and buried her pretty face in her hands.

Zuko got up and like with Aang took a handkerchief and dried her eyes. "Shush, Shush. It's ok. That is exactly what I need to talk to you about. I know you miss your mother. I miss mine and Aang miss both his mother and father. Look we are both orphans. Neither of us have a father. Yes the ones who sired us live but they aren't our fathers. The closest I've come to having a father is Iroh. He loves me as much as I love him. Now to get the point of the matter."

Sniffling she wiped her eyes and commented, "OK what is the matter? Or what the point?"

"Ok. Aang has a lot stress as we have discussed. But he can learn to deal with. But the thing that troubles him the most is his family. He misses them. He can't move on till he had a chance to say good-bye. He does have what they left him to fill his soul up, but his heart will remain broken till he had a chance to say his good byes. What do you proposes we do about it?" he asked her as played a tune on his chalice.

"Nice tune. I understand. We all need just a moment alone to say are peace with those who crossed over. Rests assure this matter before the week is over will be remedy. I will find and give both parents of the Avatar the burial they so deserve. The Valley of the Lost Ones would be great, but am I right to assume Aang already has chosen the spot for his parents eternal resting spot?" she asked as she plucked a flower and sniff it and smiled.

"He would like them buried in the western mountains. The Adebayo mountain range to be precise. It is where Avatar Roku married them. He feels that is they belong. Can that be arranged?" he asked her polity.

"I would do anything to make him happy. We should have such exceptions for someone. Yes goals are important but let people themselves decide what they want with their life. Their life, they choose their fate in it for good or ill. But don't force them to be something they are not ever going to be.

I can promise that yes we will carry out Aang's wishes." She said as she pulled a loose ebony lock behind her ear.

"Those jade eyes pierces my soul and I loose all control. You make it even harder to get close enough to love you then need be. If you just let people in like you let me you be much happier. Why must you make it so hard for people to love you? Why must you wear the guise of the Red Spirit?" he asked as he watched as a robin land on rail and started to sing.

"I was never as a small child loved in any from. No touched or hugged not even a single kiss. I was all-alone no one was ever there. I'm astonished I stay alive all the way through infancy at all. I've lived to tell the tale even if it's a sad one at that. When I wear the mask all my pain and fear is gone. I can be anyone. Like you had to prove to yourself that your worth wild I still have to prove it to me. You think I don't remember what people said about back home. My father has never even look at me. Won't even acknowledge my existence at all. Aang wasn't the only one who had memories passed to him through his blood. I, I, I, don't understand!" she said as she slammed her fist on the table.

"What don't you understand?"

"Zuky looked at me what do you see that my own father fails to see?"

"Is this a rhetorical question or do you really want me to answer it?" he asked caution as he began to eat his dessert.

Sighing she looked at the ocean at the sun and said in a quite voice.

"I'm eye-catching. I have the loveliness and refinement of a legendary supernatural being of the inferno. I can be any man who challenges me wither it be hand-to-hand, weapons or firebending. I have brains. I'm hard working, caring, compassionated. I'm a wonderful person. But he never has given a damn about me! Why am I not good enough?" she asked him furiously.

"Akiko we can't choose whose blood runs throughout our veins. We both got asshole for fathers ok? Neither had any business for having kids. Or being fathers. Eat some fruit ice mixed with chocolate and we will talk about what going on with the rest of our family." He offered to her.

"You are so right, Zuky, we both got rotten luck with our fathers. But I won't mess up with my family. You know you can be pretty good with children when you're not about to blow up like a volcano. Every thought about being a father yourself one day?" she asked smiling at while batting her eyes at him.

He started coughing and chocked for a minute. She started to get up but he shook his head. "Me? A father? Akiko I'm 16 years old. I don't even shave yet! You seriously believe I be an excellent father?" he asked her doubtfully at the same time as going red in the face.

'Zuko. You are sweet with a good heart. You understand family. You do what needs to be done. But you won't hurt people to get what you want. You have seen both sides of this war. You listen and work very hard at all you do. Think you said it yourself that what you used to be in your exile is now an alien to you. You are calling your old prey your brother now. You have always been there for me. You risked everything even your life to bust Aang out of my father Zhao impenetrable fortress. You are more of a man then any of those beast and monster that have blind our brethren for a century time. The Fire Nation needs you. And I need you, as will our children when we are the new Lord and Lady of the Fire Nation. I feel more alive when touch and when are lip met I feel like I can fly. No man other then you make me feel like I am alive. So Zuko, blood son of Zalika and chosen son of Iroh, blood brother to Zara and spirit brother to Avatar Aang what are you planning on doing with your life once we win this war?" she said in a matter of fact tone of as she kissed him then start to clean up the table.

He got up and hugged her around the waist and began to kiss her on the neck. "You are very important. I truly believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that without you to show the way the people who reside here won't have made it this close to knocking that tyrant off his throne and restoring harmony and equilibrium to the human race. The dragons chose you to weld the blade and you will use it wisely. You aren't insane or crazy. And I won't prefer anybody else to be my offspring's mother then you. You're not just a pretty face and our love won't be wasted because our soul are already bonded together most beautiful. Your inner worth is more important to me then whatever one the surface. I love you, my little Fire Lily." He said as he kissed her on the lips.

"Oh Zuky! Your mother was right when she gave you the nickname "Scarlet Dragon." You are as noble and righteous as any dragon and you have brought me out of the darkness into the light. My the fire in your heart burn forever lighting the way." She cooed into his right ear as she ran her fingers through his coal black hair.

On the additional isles everyone else was pushing themselves to their limits.

"Ok reminded me again why we can't use our bending skills to help make things go faster?" asked Roja too Sokka as he tried to use flint to start a fire.

"Yes this is most unpleasant!" signed with his hands Rocco as he dragged logs through the mud to the firepot.

"Yes why can't I use water?" Ryba put into writing on her rice paper notebook feverishly not being able to commune any other way.

"Listen to me you little fish. We have to be able to use all are skills and abilities. So if one fails we will still be able to function. So come on. Carry the water in the bucket with both hands and we go boil it. Ok little fish?" Sokka said as got on his knees a hugged the little girl.

Her vivid cobalt eye glowed vibrantly. Her short coffee tresses were all full leaves and her lone braid was coming undone.

She looked upset and wrote on her pad. "But bending is I speak. I was born without a voice. How am I supposed to talk to you or anyone is I can't use water?"

"Ok listen, Ryba you and your friends have to work together like we did when we tackled the Ruhakana Tallulah. You can talk. For you and Rocco both need hands to talk but use the pad I gave you and you can talk. Now go try to boil water with Roja. Also I think he likes you." Sokka said as he finished picked the leaves out of her hair.

"Rocco listen to me carefully I want you to cut these logs arm length and then throw them into a fire. Then we can eat fish and rice. Alright?" Haru signed to Rocco.

"This certainly not so easy as it looked but at least we got a shelter done and soon we should be able to compete in the trails the day after tomorrow. Sokka what do you think Katara doing right now?" asked Haru as gave Sokka some food.

Sniffing the dish of food. He used chopsticks to eat the food and chewed it slowly. Smiling happily he asked, "This is really good what is it."

"It squid and snake. With a smidgen of noodles and veggies mixed in."

"Well it taste great," he said with a hard swallow. " I really don't know what my sister doing. Why do you like her so much anyway?" he asked curiosity

"Well she inspired me and my father to fight back so we could recapture our home. She is beyond attractive, intelligent, and incredibly valiant. She is also very compassionate and tender and it is extremely effortless to have a discussion with her too. She just so breathtaking, I mean everybody finds her irresistible. Aang was and possibly still feel affection for her a tiny bit. I mean what do you find so special about Suki?" Haru asked as he bit into a large squid piece.

"Katara is a good sister. We have our ups and downs. I remember teasing her when she was a baby and we still fight today. But with Suki, she was the one who changed my mind on the role of women. I thought women never could be warriors. That they were just meant to do the cleaning and tending that you know, they where the weaker sex. But she strong and more then competent enough to be doing anything and everything I can do and better. She attractive and stylish and she make me laugh. Love is a funny thing isn't?" Sokka said as he went to help the children get untangle from the fish net.

Haru went to the water edge and held out his glowing right hand. The insignia of the Wise Wolf seem to spring to life and howled. Then a large algae covered ship that had been imbedded into the rocks below rose to the surface.

"Hey! You know we are supposed to use the power of the spirits in less its an emergency!" cried Sokka as he sucked on his fingers.

"I'm sorry! The challenges are the day after tomorrow! Katara is just about 5 miles away! I miss her! And the Wolf in me is growing agitated. I mean haven't you notice that our spirits powers and the beings they come from are getting a bit restless?" asked Haru as he looked at his palm.

"Yes I have notice. Our powers are evolving," asked Sokka as they sat down to look at the setting sun on the sea.

"We should try and get some sleep. The tide will come in soon and we will need to make the sure the shelter is waterproof." He commented as they got up to help the other kids. With a parting glace the got to work.

Sighing she leaned adjacent to the tree and looked at the sea where she could see a little speck.

"Katara! Come away from there! We need finish get camp set up. We have 112 people here. We need you to help us get this place up to snuff." Said Suki

"I wonder what kind of challenges we are going to have to participate in. Tell me what do you think the boys are up to?" asked Katara as she stokes the fire.

"Sokka is a good leader. Sure he has a big mouth but he got a brain in his head. Even if he only use it half the time." Said Wyanet. She kept looking at the bush.

"Yes he dose possess a very droll sense of humor but he always front and center when comes to what important." Replied Suki as she offers some kids some fish.

Soon afterward Akiko was watching the boats return. Zuko was with her as he helped everyone off his or her skiffs.

"Well how where they in the challenges Crimson? I hope you, Luke and Iroh came up with some great ideas to test these kids." Said Akiko as she help tie up the last skiff.

"Well we had them walk on a narrow balance beam to the to water while being tied together. Also dive underwater retrieve skulls and solve a puzzle. Just to name a few." Said Crimson.

"We also test individual people in the ways of strength, senses and balances." Luke reported as he hand her some papers.

"Hmm very good. Anything you came up with General?" she said as she looked up from the notes.

"We played capture the flag and hide and seek and solves puzzles." Iroh replied tiredly.

Smiling at them proudly. She turned to Wyanet and asked her. "Being a bender who almost refuse to use the gift of bending I'm most enthusiastic to learn how you help others learn to use all there skills. I know you specialize in all the weapons you carry. All of them are the only heirlooms you have of your family beside your necklace. I know craft the bow and arrows yourself and are quite skilled. Tell me again what can you do that Zhao 's Yuan archers can't do. Mind you they are supposed to be the best of the best."

"I can tell but a rather show you something." Reaching under the seat she had been sitting on and pulled out a large wrapped bundled. Akiko cocked an eyebrow inquisitively.

Taking one of her sais she cut the ropes and pulled apart the dark cloth and she gasped.

It was the body of a young thylacine. The doglike marsupial lied peacefully with it-striped hindquarters displayed most beautiful in late afternoon glow.

"You killed that? He look about I say five years old. From what distaste, may I ask?" as she ran her fingers down its body.

"250 yards. Blindfolded. I used no more than a single arrow. I heard him coming from over a mile and a half away. He was going to die soon any. He had an arrhythmia in the right side of his brain. He only had a couple more hours to live. This is one of the times where to be sympathetic you had to be vindictive."

"Well come we are all going on a little trip. Aang waiting. Zuky are all the arrangements in order?" Akiko asked as she warped herself around him.

"Yes everything is ready. Zara and Aang are waiting with Momo by Appa for departure. We should be going. Come on everyone." He said as he started down to the cove.

"Hold on we just got back! Where in the world are we going?" asked Sokka as he staggered along the ground.

"Yes I think we have a right to know where we are going." Replied Katara.

Sighing she reached into her pouch that was slung around her and gave each a black candle and a white lily. "We are going to a memorial service. Appa is taking us. He needs to stretch his legs he be so unhappy since he be restricted from flying. He been kept busy doing manual labor around camp. He needs to feel like he free and useful. Come we have a long way to go. It will just be our little family." Said Akiko as she walks after Zuko.

"Who burial? And why are we not going to the Valley. So where are we going?" asked Suki as she ran a brush through her hair quick.

"Yeah where are heading?" asked Haru as he wiped a little soot off his face.

"We are going to the western mountains. We the lost temple of the Air Nomads once was locate. It is where the first twin Airbenders were born and laid to rest. It is where Avatar Roku married Gyasto and Akanke and it is where Aang has chosen to have his parents to be buried. So come we mustn't be lazy. Come." Akiko said as she led the to wear Aang was waiting with Zara.

Zuko was helping Aang load up some beautiful crafted caskets onto the top of Appa back.

"You actually found his parent's remains?" asked Katara in surprise as she looked at the sight in awe.

"Yes. While you all were doing your training we went and found them. Then we craft them some casket. We also made them some fine-looking headstones. So come. The sun is going to set in an hour we want this over by then." She said as got helped up to the saddle.

Soon everyone was all aboard Appa, with Aang at reins. Zara crept up to his and sat down next to him. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed.

"Lets fly! And while we ascend into the skies you can tell me about it. Tell me the stories of clouds and stars in the universe and then while you tell me how you perceive the world throughout your eyes perhaps we can tell you how we see it through ours." She whispered into his ear.

"That a great idea. Ok see those trees below us?" he asked as the head to the portal light.

"Yes. It looks like they could touch the clouds in the skies." She cooed into his ear.

Soon they reached the spot. Aang jump of and walked to the very spot his parent had been married. They're two long square holes with the headstones at head of them. Sandwiched between them was a young acacia tree and the graves were ringed with flowers. Luke and Sokka carried Gyasto's coffin and laid it in to the ground at the same time as Crimson and Wyanet carried Akanke's coffin and laid her in the ground. They covered the graves up.

Then while everyone gathered in a circle lit their candles and bowed their heads.

Aang walked to the center and tried to speak but found his tongue-tied. Katara gave him a drink and he said began.

"My people were good and kind. We value life and didn't believe in hate or violence. My parents understood love and life. That a kid needs to be a kid and just have fun. My mom Akanke was a lively person. Everything she did or touched was so full of life. She and my father knew what the Seven Wonders of the World where and the dare to dream. Go beyond the limits of the skies and to their dreams. My father raised me right. Taught me right from wrong and to have fun. Though she wasn't there in physical sense she was always been there spirit. I will get to them better. But I know I will make them proud of me. I'm Aang Wind Rider; grandson of Bem and Rozene and son of Gyasto and Akanke and I'm the Avatar. I will save the world and repopulate our people. I may have lost my family but I won't fail my new one. Ash to ashes, dust to dust we lay my parents in the earth crust."

Everyone laid a flower on both graves and said a pray. Then Aang had a moment of peace. He and the rest of the last of the Airbender family whisper something that no one could hear."

"Mom, Dad. I will fulfill my destiny. I will love you till time ends. I will save the world. I'll be back. Rest in peace you will be ok now." He said as he walked away. He took a fleeting look at the headstones that read.

"Gyasto Husband and Father. Forever loved and forever missed. Akanke Wife and Mother, Forever loved and forever missed."

When they got home Aang stood up on top of Appa head and began what was like a trance.

"Aang! Don't get too close to the edge! No!" cried Katara worried as Aang did a swan dive off the flying bison. Everyone scampered over to side of the saddle and watched Aang free fall hundreds thousands of feet. His eyes open wide and arrows glowing brightly in the dying light of the fading sun. He had a very happy smile on his face. He spread his arms wide and snapped open his glider. As he rapidly approached the waters below the deep blue water part and rise out of the ocean was large rocks of earth. Using them as a ramp he ran faster then the wind and launched himself into the air through rings and loops of celestial blaze in the heavens. Then he closed his glider and nose-dives downwards into a funnel of water and on top of the coastline. The crowds below were screaming for more.

"Sheesh its like they never seen anybody showoff before!" scoffed Wyanet as she rolled her eyes unimpressed by the boy's big headed showoff demonstrate. But as the wind blew her wild black hair over her mouth she smiled.

"He could have broken his neck!" yelled Katara furiously.

"Yeah why he go and scare us like that? Ow! Momo! Come here you little flying white rat!" yelled Sokka as Momo followed his best friend below.

"Ah guys who steering Appa?" cried Zara in distress.

"No need to worry sis. I got it." Said Zuko over his shoulder and landed Appa.

"Nice bending, Aang. Just never do it again!" yelled Katara as she hugged him.

"Katara please! I'm fine; I just need to set my soul free. Come on, come on, and come on! Time for dinner then rest then training. Wahoo-who!" he said as he whirled around and did a small number of back flips.

"An important person at last in high spirits once more, wouldn't you be in agreement Zuky?" asked Akiko as she kissed him.

"OW!" cried out a voice. Everyone turned and saw that Sokka had broken the skin on his right big toe.

"Oh geeze, Sokka! Do you have to be so maladroit?" asked Suki as she chuckled at her lover calamity.

Katara took some water and healed his wound. "There Mr. Brave Hero. Does that make up for all the first aid I neglect to give you over the years?" she said as she assisted him off the sand.

As the all walked to where the bonfire was to take place two weird and wonderful spheres of illumination soaring at extraordinarily fast velocity came out of nowhere and slammed Sokka and Katara right smack dab in the chest. They both went flying 10 feet from the sheer force of the impact.

"Katara! Sokka! Are you all right? Answer us!" cried everyone as they rushed to their aid.

They both remain unconscious for about five more minutes then when everyone was looking at them their eyes burst open and they were glowing. Momo jumped back and was hissing.

"Momo what wrong with you? Don't you recognize them?" asked Aang as he pick up and tried to quiet his pet down.

"Something isn't right. I can feel it I just can't place the feeling." Said Akiko as both Katara and Sokka got up and freshen themselves up. Then start to look themselves over as if for the first time.

"Katara?" asked Haru cautiously

"Sokka?" Suki asked in same cautions voice.

They looked at them funny as if the had no idea whom they were speaking too.

"Pardon me children but we must speck to the Avatar immediately. So if you would excuse us." Katara said polity as she gestured for them to move.

"Yes if you younglings would stand aside we have to talk to the Avatar about a matter of utmost importance." Said Sokka.

Something was wrong the manner in which they spoke was all wrong and it sound to mature for them.

"Katara? Sokka you all right?" asked Aang as cautiously approached them.

"Wait! Aang don't approach them! At least not yet! That not your Water Tribe friends." Warned Iroh as he blocked Aang path to them.

"Nice to see you again, Iroh. Been a long time but our memories are infinite you know." Said Sokka as approached Aang but was halted but Iroh fist of fire.

"I warn you Anto! If you or your sister do anything to endanger this child life so help the great spirits I will send you both to kingdom come!" he barked at him.

"Anto The Black Spirit? Iroh are you sure?" asked Akiko as she signaled with her eyes to the others.

In mere seconds Katara was surround on all sides by Suki, Wyanet, Crimson and Zara. Sokka was surround by Zuko, Luke, Haru and Iroh.

"I don't understand! All I see are my best friends about to be sliced up like cheese. So what going on?" asked Aang as his tattoos began to glow involuntary

"We are in the presence of two of the oldest spirits in existence. Alake the White Spirit the Giver of Life and her twin brother Anto the Black Spirit the messenger of Death. They have but one duty, one purpose. Why the chosen the manner of communication I do not know, young Avatar. But be careful. Spirits are like people. You can never be to sure of their true intentions." Warned Iroh.

"Iroh. Please understand. Your wife and child were meant to die. As with all things in life, we must all breathe our last breath one day. No one can live forever. I must be true to my nature. But you need not fear me. Me or my sister." Said Anto sympathetically.

"Sometimes I regret giving life myself. I regret giving life to so many people who done nothing but compel my brother to bestow the only gift he can. The deaths that have befallen in this war that have been made me wish I could take back my gift. That when I grant life it doesn't have to die in such a horrendous and unjustly fashion!" Shed tears Alake. Her brother then hugged her and wept her tears.

"You can stand down. We pose no harm to the bodies we inhabited. We just need them to talk to you in the physical world. The journey from our home in the Spirit World is very tiring. As is our duties. It's a 24/7 job. Still we need to come." Anto said walked forward only to be stop once again. Only this time Akiko blade was at his throat.

"You have exactly ten seconds to tells us why you're here. Or else!" she hissed.

"Please don't hurt my brother, Dragon Champion. The Great Dragon sings nothing but good songs about you and your people. We have message, a prophecy that Aang must hear, that you must all hear as well. It is a matter of life or death. If you pardon the pun." Said Alake gently with a pleading look in her eyes.

"We will listen to your message. But first tell us why you need our friend's bodies. Why not appear in your mortal forms?" asked Iroh

"If you must know and I think you need to know. Our world is suffering because of the unbalance within your world. If the Fire Lord achieves his monstrous goal of total domination the very fabrics that bind our world will be unwoven and our world will ceased to exist. There is always a consequent for one's action. Our world depended on each other one dies we both die. If we even attempted to assume our earthly outward appearance we might be stuck in them or in between worlds and then we really be thrown into chaos. So we settled for sending our conscious minds and energy into two human bodies. They are perfectly aware at what going on. So may we delver the message before we loose our ability to stay in this world?" explained the annoyed Anto with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Alright. You may deliver the message after the Dragon Blade tells me that you aren't lying." Said Akiko as she laid the flat side on his forehead. Then whispered an ancient word. The blade glowed for moment then rang out with a brilliant music note.

"You speak the truth. What the message?" asked Akiko as she put her weapon back in its sheath.

"Thank you." They both side in unison with a bow. Their eyes began to glow and their voice echoed throughout the whole island. Their voice sound likes it was a man, woman, child, young and old, all at the same time.

"When day as become night with a halo of white, when the waters of the water turn from blue to black and the oldest and tallest of rock a split in two. When the fire of the skies burn a mark on scared ground and all wind ceased to be around. Then will the Spirits return with a message that may decide whether you live or die. The end game has begun."

With that said their face grew more serious. "That is the warning. Remember every word and watch out for the sign. We will return in the near future. Take care friends." Said Anto with a bow.

"We only wish for a better future for the world. We must go now. But be on your toes. Avatar… Aang please be careful. Everyone in this world and ours is counting on you. So remember what you learned about yourself and your powers. Good luck little wind rider." Said Alake as she fell to her knees before him and hugged him close then kissed him on the cheek with tears in her eyes.

"Till we meet again." They said.

"Till we meet again." Said Aang.

They open their mouths and light shot out so fast you almost missed it. Katara and Sokka fell to the ground in a heap.

While everyone ponder the rest of the night of the message Aang reread his parent's logbooks. He hugged Akio close and looked at the full moon.

"Life gets a little tougher each day. But it only makes the good moments stretch a little longer. Good night mom, dad. I love you." He said as he went to sleep.

When he awoke the next morning he felt odd. Though it was well past dawn it was pitch black outside. Aang ran out to the shore where the rest of the group was waiting.

"What going on?" he asked everyone.

"The first sign. When day has turn to night with a halo of white," whispered Zara with one hand on her necklace and the other hold Avatar close to her heart.

A solar eclipse!

"Aang what does it mean?" asked Katara as she laid a hand on his shoulder.

"It means the countdown to the end of the world has official begun." He said as they all watch the moon completely block the sun with only a ring of white capable of being seen.