CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Training Is Complete
After many weeks and almost two months of training Jeong Jeong had finally pronounced that Aang's training was complete. "You have
done well, young Avatar. You have completed your training." Jeong Jeong said solemnly. "Really that's great!" said Aang throwing up his
hands in celebration. "However" said Jeong Jeong, and Aang stopped in mid-cheer; "There are still many more advanced Fire Benders
than you! But because you are the Avatar; and for the sake of time I deem you ready to complete your mission and restore balance to
this world." Aang slowly let down his hands, Jeong Jeong had delivered Aang a back handed compliment; and Aang didn't know how to
respond.
Jeong Jeong started up again as if there had been no pause. "The Fire Nations 'Darkest Day' is fast approaching, this is the day when
there will be a solar eclipse and all fire benders will be temporarily stripped of all their powers. Not far behind is the return of Sozin's
Comet. Your window of opportunity is shrinking quickly; you must strike soon if you are going to restore balance to the world. If I were
you I would get moving quickly." With these last words Jeong Jeong stood up and began to walk away. "Wait, where are you going?"
Aang asked. "Where I am going is none of your concern!" "You're leaving me after all this!" Aang asked incredulously at Jeong Jeong's
back. "I am not leaving you; I will be with you even if you can't see me." "That doesn't even make sense!" Aang shouted. Jeong Jeong
did not respond. "Fine be that way, I don't need you!" Aang shouted. This of course was a lie; Aang knew that he would need all the
help he could get when he faced the Fire Lord.
Aang sighed sadly, picked up his staff and set off to find Kattara; and his other friends. It took Aang nearly all day to find his friends; even
flying on Appa hadn't made the searching any easier. Aang was tired by the time he managed to locate his friends; but when he finally
managed it his energy was restored. The only person Aang wasn't happy to see was Zuko. For the sake of Kattara he would try to be
nice to him, even if it took all his resolve to do it. Aang landed on the ground; and ran up to the group shouting. They were all shocked to
finally see him again after such a long time. Aang ran up and hugged Kattara who gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh well" thought Aang
"this isn't as good as having her feel about me the same way I do; but I'm not going to complain." Aang ran up to Sokka and hugged him.
Sokka roughly pushed him away and jokingly told him to stop acting mushy. Aang then went to see Toph who asked "Where'd you go
twinkle toes?" "It's a long story I'll tell you later." When he finally got to Haru, Haru smiled and hugged him but didn't say anything.
Aang totally ignored Zuko which was just fine with the Prince; but Kattara wasn't going to let them walk away from each other without
making up. "Apologize Zuko, after all you were the one who started this." "I did apologize." Zuko said stiffly. "You apologized to me, not
to Aang." "Do I have too?" Zuko asked as if he was a little boy complaining to his mother about a chore he didn't want to do. Kattara
just glared at him as if to say "You're going be very sorry if you don't" Zuko caught the meaning in her eyes and gulped. Zuko stared at
the ground and barely whispered "I'm sorry." Aang who was clearly enioying that Zuko was being forced to apologize; asked "What was
that? I couldn't hear you." "Say it louder and like you mean it!" Kattara hissed. Zuko was getting very red in the face; a fact which was
making it hard for Aang to stifle a laugh. Zuko glanced at Kattara who was beginning to look even more menacing; and said only a bit
louder "I'm sorry." "Tell him what you are sorry for." Kattara commanded sharply. With a huge sigh Zuko said "I'm sorry that I taunted
you when you were training; it wasn't right and I should have acted like a grown man instead of a bully." "Now Aang" said Kattara kindly
accept his apology. "Zuko apology accepted; I forgive you." Zuko heaved a sigh of relief and began to walk away; when Kattara said
sharply "Not yet Zuko, I want you and Aang to hug each other." Zuko sighed very loudly and was about to say "It was hard enough to
apologize; now you want me to do that." Luckily he managed to keep his thoughts to himself. "What?" Aang shouted, "Why do we have
to hug?" "Because Aang," Kattara said calmly "anyone can say they're sorry. I want you two to mean that you are sorry. Anyway what's
the point of being on the same side if you can't be friends; or at least get along with your team mates?" Both Zuko and Aang knew that
Kattara was right; but didn't want to admit it. They walked up slowly to each other as if each of their legs were made of lead and hugged
each other. It all happened so fast that when they let go; you couldn't tell that they had hugged at all. "Oh well" thought Kattara "I
suppose I may have asked for too much. Now it's time for some positive reinforcement." Zuko thank you for apologizing too Aang, I
know it was difficult for you." As an added bonus she kissed Zuko on the cheek.
"Now let's get going" Kattara said suddenly "We have a long way to go to get to the Fire Nation." "It's finally happening" thought Zuko
"I'm finally going home. I only wish that it was too get my fathers love; instead of taking his throne; and probably his life." Zuko thought
sadly. With that they were off to confront the Fire Lord; and end the war.