I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender. It is the creation of Michael DiMartino and Brian Koneztko, and the property of Nickelodeon.

Enjoy!

South Pole- Hidden Air Temple

"This is very concerning news you bring us, Master Gyatso."

The old monk breathed as he faced the elders of the temple. He never truly liked coming to speak with them. They always seemed too... stuffy, for his liking. Even so, this was not a situation that would allow him bias. They needed to know.

Monk Dolkar, the highest of the elders, spoke.

"Tell me, do you know which spirit it was that decided to merge with your protege?"

"Unfortunately, I do not. The only details Aang has been able to recall are a feminine voice, a blue or white glow, and the fact that it resembled a kite. His memories of the event have become clouded."

Dolkar scratched his chin. "This is indeed troubling. For the boy to have entered the spirit world so easily, and then to merge with a spirit. What exactly were you two doing?"

"I was merely beginning Aang's spiritual training. We were only on the first step. All we were doing, was meditating."

Dolkar frowned. "If that is the case, then the boy is even more spiritually attuned than any of us had expected. It is the only explanation for this unexpected trip he took."

Gyatso nodded. "You may be correct. In any case, I will look throughout our archives. If any information that we managed to gather matches that of Aang's spirit, we may be able to help him."

"If you find any such information, bring it to us. I do not wish to be kept in the dark about this. Are we clear Master Gyatso?"

Gyatso nodded.

"Good. You may go to initiate your search."

Bowing, the monk turned to leave. As he did, one thought swirled through his head.

"I must be careful about this. The elders have not always cared about the needs of the individual. I must do what I can to ensure Aang will be safe."

And the best way to do that was to find out what spirit was living in his student's body. Finding out soon would be preferable.

Earth Kingdom- Gaoling

"Sparky!"

"Gah!"

Zuko lost his footing. The pillar of rock he had been standing crumbled under his feet the moment his concentration broke. That left him falling on the ground, on his ass.

"Ugh! What was that for Toph?!"

Because, my hot-headed disciple, I don't need eyes to know you were distracted. Why weren't you paying attention?"

"What are you talking about? I was paying attention!"

"Really? What was I saying?"

Zuko opened his mouth to respond. He quickly closed it again.

"Yeah, that's what I thought. I was going to tell you that your foot isn't firmly planted. You need to fix that."

"Oh. Um, thanks," Zuko planted his feet correctly, hoping for the conversation to not dwell on his absent-mindedness.

"Alright, Sparky. Are you going to tell me what's wrong, or do I have to throw rocks at you until you do?"

"What? No, Toph, nothing is wrong. I'm fine."

"Sparky, I don't need to feel vibrations to know that you're lying. Now tell me the truth," Toph smashed her foot on the ground, pulling a small boulder into her hand, "or start dodging."

"Toph, are you seriously going to throw that at me? Why does this matter to you?"

"You're my student Sparky. I can't teach you if you aren't focused. Now get your issue off your chest before I break your chest."

Based on Toph's teaching methods, it was safe to say that she actually would.

"Alright, alright. I've been having trouble with Vaatu recently. That's why I've been distracted."

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" Toph dropped the large rock back into the ground. "Now, who's Vaatu again?"

Zuko looked at Toph incredulously.

"The spirit that lives inside of me. He's the reason I'm an Avatar. Didn't I tell you about him?"

"Oh yeah, that kite thing you talk to in your dreams. He said I'm awesome, didn't he?"

"Kind of, yeah."

"So he's a smart one. What's the problem? Did he stop praising me?"

"Yes, he did. And it gets worse. He's stopped talking to me at all. These past few nights, I haven't seen him in my dreams at all. It's like he disappeared."

Toph frowned. "Is that bad? Does that mean you're not an Avatar anymore?"

In response, Zuko shot out a fire fist. "I can still firebend, and we both know that I was just earthbending. No, I'm still an Avatar. It's just that Vaatu has stopped talking to me. He's been staying quiet for some reason. I don't know why."

Toph seemed frozen for a moment. She didn't move or speak for that time. But she recovered quickly.

"What about your Uncle? Doesn't he know anything about this spirit things?"

"He does. He said he even went to the spirit world once. Something about a quest he never talks about. But he doesn't know what's happening with me. He thinks it has to do with Vaatu specifically."

"Oh. Speaking of your uncle, where is he?"

"He went into town to buy a few things. Said we needed more supplies."

"Wait, the two of you live in a cave. How does he intend to afford anything?"

Zuko only shrugged.

"Want to get back to training? We still have a full day."

Toph considered it. She already intended to sneak home later and tell her parents that she was walking around town or something. The wouldn't be happy that she left, but they would be relieved to see her fine. It wasn't the first time she ran away, so they wouldn't be too surprised.

But then again, since she was here, maybe she could get a new experience out of it.

"Actually Sparky, I was wondering. Do you think you could show me your firebending?"

Zuko frowned. "Why do want to see that?"

"I've never been around a friendly firebender before. Most of the ones that come by Gaoling are just soldiers looking to take from the locals. You and your uncle are always going on about how everyone else in the Fire Nation is always misusing Firebending. So why not show me what it's really all about?"

Zuko thought it over for a moment before nodding.

"Sure. I guess there's no harm in it."

Zuko turned around to look for his dragon. He found him on the ground, eating an elephant rat.

"Druk!"

The little fire lizard's head shot up, his prey's tail dangling from his mouth.

"Toph wants a demonstration. You up for the Dancing Dragon?"

Druk's ears perked up, and he quickly swallowed his prey to jump over to Zuko.

Toph, meanwhile, was chuckling.

"The Dancing Dragon? Is that seriously what you call a firebending from?"

"Hey, I didn't name it. It came with the name. And it happens to be thousands of years old."

"Yeah, yeah. Thousand-year-old dance techniques, whatever. Am I going to see any flames today?"

Frowning, Zuko decided to just indulge her. "Come on Druk."

Flapping his growing wings, Druk set himself beside Zuko for the dance. And when it started, Toph could feel it.

Toph had heard some of the stories her servants had said about firebenders. She had need been near it herself, b they always said that that particular form of bending was horrifying. How it was only used to destroy everything around them. How it only worked only to intimidate people and make them do what you want.

Toph didn't feel that from Zuko or Druk's firebending. The dragon made sense. It was one of the original masters, so it would obviously be different from the way humans did it.

But Zuko was nothing like the stories she had heard. Nothing in his bending felt scary or malicious. There was power, but it was focused. Constrained. It didn't feel like he was using fire to destroy anything. It felt like he was just... being alive.

Toph didn't feel afraid, or threatened, or anything like that. She actually felt... warm.

"How's that?"

Toph was so distracted she didn't realize that the two had stopped.

"Hm? Oh yeah, pretty cool. Not as cool as earthbending, but what whatever works for you."

Zuko frowned. He must have been expected a better response. "So do you want to go back to training?"

In response, Toph lifted the rock she had previously discarded and tossed it at Zuko. The firebender was thankfully able to dodge it.

"What do you think?"

She had expected Sparky to just resign himself to having rocks thrown at him. She did not expect him to suddenly sprout flames from his hands.

"Oh, I can dodge. Can you?"

Iroh thought over his options as he walked back to the campsite. He was able to find one of his allies in Gaoling. It was fortunate he still carried around his lotus tile.

It was also fortunate that his contact had some knowledge of spiritual matters. He was able to direct him to a place that might be able to help his nephew.

And in Iroh's opinion, going there soon would be a good idea. No one was about to discover them (Iroh didn't think so), but his presence was beginning to draw some attention. He was an old man that seemingly lived in the forest, but had enough money to go into a city and shop. He was also charming and intelligent enough to start a conversation with the locals. That mixture of qualities could lead some unwanted eyes to him.

And if he was discovered, his nephew and Druk would be discovered. His nephew would be hunted as an enemy of the Fire Nation simply for what he had become. The young dragon would be sought after as a prize by any aspiring firebender. Neither of them would be able to find peace while the war waged. And the distractions could prevent Zuko from completing his training in the other elements. Leaving his brother to continue his rampage.

And Toph... he did not want to think about what could happen to her. Her family might be able to protect her for a time, but the Fire Nation Army was nothing if not relentless. He would know. And he had grown fond of the young girl in the time that had known her. Despite her brash nature and overconfidence, she was pleasant to have around. And it was nice to see Zuko spending time with someone close to his age. His nephew might disagree, saying she was only a teacher, but Iroh knew better.

Lost in his throughs, Iroh was immediately pulled back to reality when he arrived at his and his nephew's temporary home. He was met with a sight he would not have expected in a hundred years. It surprised him even more than when he found his nephew back in the Air Temple, forever changed.

Zuko and Toph were sparring with each other. Both were using their respective elements, with Toph tossing boulders and Zuko throwing flames. Though Zuko did throw the occasional rock as well, clearly as a way to practice combat earthbending.

"I got you now you little blind dirt-lover!"

"Oh ho, you're asking for it now Sparky!"

Iroh simply stod in his place and watched as his nephew and his young friend contained hailing things at each other. In its own strange way, it was a pleasant sight. If a little violent.

*Grah*

Iroh looked down to see Druk staring at him with expectant eyes.

"I did not forget you, little dragon. Here."

Iroh pulled a long fish from his bag and handed it to Druk. The little lizard gobbled it down quickly.

When Iroh looked up again, he saw two children kneeling on the ground, sweat pouring from their faces.

"Had enough Sparky?"

"Not even close? You up for another round?"

"As enjoyable as that might be to see," Iroh interrupted, getting both of their attention, "perhaps we should keep collateral damage to a minimum. We don't wish to draw a crowd."

"Uncle?"

"Wow. I didn't even notice you coming." Toph smiled at Zuko. "Guess we were having too much fun, huh Sparky?"

Zuko almost smiled. Almost. It was barely a grin, but Iroh saw his lips move.

"I guess. How did it go Uncle?"

Sighing, Iroh sat down next to both of them. He then filled them in.

"I was able to speak with some of the men in the town. They spoke of a place that is loaded with spiritual tales. Stories of men falling victim to the immaterial."

Zuko frowned. "What does that have to do with my problem?"

"Zuko, your issue is the spirit inside of you is not speaking to you. Perhaps going to a place filled with spiritual energy will help you to reconnect."

Zuko considered it. The idea was sound.

"What kind of place is it?"

"A swamp. It lies a journey of a few days from here."

"A swamp? You think I can make a spiritual re-connection in a swamp?"

"In the absence of nearby Air Temples or Fire Temples, I think it may be our only chance."

Zuko didn't like the sound of a swamp. It sounded disgusting and unhygienic. It was not a place befitting a prince and a former prince-turned-Avatar.

But he couldn't think of any better ideas.

"I guess we can give it a shot."

"Sweet. When do we leave?"

Both Zuko and Iroh turned to Toph. In truth, they had partially forgotten that she was there.

"Um, my plan was to wait until Zuko had learned enough about Earthbending from you. We could leave after that."

"Hold up, were you both planning to leave me behind?"

"Don't you have a family? I thought you said you were rich. Why would you want to come?" Zuko asked.

"UGH!" Toph threw her hands up in exasperation. "Believe it or not, going with two homeless firebenders to visit a weird spirit swamp actually sounds a lot better than staying home. Especially when no one lets me do anything back home."

Zuko and Iroh frowned.

"What do you mean? Doesn't your family know how great of an Earthebnder you are?"

"Are you kidding? If they knew, they would just try to keep me from Earhbending ever again. They think this," Toph pointed at her eyes, "means I can't do anything."

Both Zuko and Iroh shared a shocked look. Iroh was about to speak, but Zuko beat him to it.

"That's stupid. It doesn't matter that you're blind. You're one of the best earthbenders ever."

"My nephew is blunt, but I agree. Your skill is too valuable to waste."

Toph smiled softly. "Thanks. So, does this mean I can go with you?"

Iroh sighed. "Toph, I can understand that you are frustrated. But I cannot ask you or allow you to simply abandon your family. Doing so..."

"I'm not going away forever!" Toph yelled. "Think of it more like a... Field Trip! Yeah. I go with you until Sparky is a master at Earthbending. After that, I'll hitch a ride back to them."

"Toph..."

"I think it's a good plan uncle," Zuko said, shocking Uncle. Was his nephew actually asking for someone else to join them? Without being forced to?

"It's like she said, I still need to learn more about Earthbending. Having her around would help."

"See! Even Sparky agrees. Come on, let me come!"

Iroh was conflicted. On the one hand, taking Toph with them could prove disastrous. Especially if someone saw them leaving together. They might think that's and his nephew had kidnapped her. And that was the sort of attention that none of them needed.

Along with that, the trials might prove treacherous. if anything happened to Toph, it would be on Iroh's hands. It would be his fault.

One the other hand, Zuko wanted her to come. His nephew, who usually complained at having to interact with others, actually wanted another person to accompany them.

"Very well. You may come with us."

"WOO HOO!" Toph yelled as she opened a hole in the ground. "I'll be back tomorrow for more lessons. We'll iron out the details then. See ya!"

And just like that, she was gone. Leaving behind a content Zuko and a conflicted Iroh.

"Do you think we have enough food for Druk?"

"I doubt the entire Earth Kingdom has enough food to feed that dragon. But you can check the bag that I bought."

While Zuko went to do just that, Iroh remained seated to contemplate the choice he had just made. And he wondered, just as he had wondered about many of his past decisions, if he had made the right one.

South Pole

"There you are Aang. I've been looking for you."

Aang turned to see Katara walking towards. Turning around quickly, Aang took quick breaths to calm himself.

"Ok, don't freak out. It's just Katara coming to talk to you. She's your friend. Your very, very pretty friend...

No! No. Don't think like that, you'll freak out. And don't think about the spirit world. That will..."

"Are you ok Aang? You look worried."

"Yup!" Aang immediately perks up. "Nothing's wrong! Everything is good! How are you?"

"Um, fine?" Katara isn't entirely sure how to respond. "I was wondering, what are you doing outside of the temple? I thought you said your master was going to be showing you something."

"Oh, yeah. It, um, didn't work out so, we stopped for now."

"Oh no. Did something happen?"

Aang didn't want to lie to Katara. He really didn't.

"Nothing happened? I just didn't get it. Gyatso said we should stop until I do."

"Oh. That's really too bad."

"Yeah. It is."

Aang looked down, his face glum. The true source of his mood was hidden, but Katara could feel the results. And she didn't want to see Aang so sad.

"But you know, it's nice that you have a master all. It must be nice to have someone to teach you."

Aang's eyes widened.

"No Katara! You shouldn't think like that! I'm sure you're a great waterbender. It's just..."

"Aang, it's alright," Katara said, waving at Aang to calm him down. "Really, it's not your fault that there's no one else in the tribe to teach me. It's not your fault the Fire Nation took them all. "

Katara tried to put on a strong face, but her tone made her anger evident. And Aang didn't like it.

"Can't you go somewhere else to learn?"

Aang almost covered his mouth when the question left his mouth. He hated himself for saying it. He wanted Katara to be happy, but he wasn't sure if he wanted her to leave. He might get lonely without her.

(Sokka was fun, at times. But he wasn't the same.)

Katara sighed. "I wish I could. But the tribe needs me. Gran Gran and Sokka need me. I can't just level them."

"Why not?" Aang asked. Then his eyes widened. "Wait, no! I didn't mean it like that! I meant, why not just go for a while? No one said you had to leave forever."

"I wish it were that easy," Katara sighed as she kneeled and placed her hand in the water. "If the Fire Nation found me out there, they would find out I'm a waterbender. After that, my only options are imprisonment or death. Then my family would have to mourn again. I don't want to put them through that."

"What if I went with you?"

Aang surprised even himself when he said that. But the surprised disappeared when he realized he liked the idea.

"I already know airbending. I could help protect you from soldiers out there. Also, it might be fun. I always wondered what the world was like."

Katara smiled. "You're sweet Aang. But I can't force you to do that. The temple needs you."

"I mean, I guess. But traveling doesn't sound so bad, does it?"

"No. No, it doesn't."

The two of them fell into silence after that.

"Do you ever wonder about the Avatar, Aang?"

The boy's eyebrow raised. "Not that much. Why?"

"I wonder how different the world would be if he was still here. My grandma says that the Avatar was the only person capable of using all four elements. And it was the responsibility of the Avatar to maintain peace in the world."

Katara turned her eyes back to the water.

"Do you ever wonder what it's like to be able to bend all four elements?"

"Not really," Aang said truthfully. "I'm happy being an Airbender."

"I guess that makes sense. I would honestly just settle for being a good waterbender."

To iterate her point, Katara tried to waterbend. She waved her hands in smooth movements, the same movements she had been practicing her whole life. But the best she could do was make an orb of water rise up.

Frustrated, Katara let go of her hold on the water.

"They'll be asking about me soon. I need to go Aang."

"It's ok. I understand."

Katara nodded as she began walking away. When she was about a yard away, Aang called.

"Hey, Katara!"

The girl turned around.

"Don't worry about it! I'm sure we'll find a great teacher for you one day! You'll be one of the best Waterbenders ever!"

Katara smiled genuinely. It made Aang happy to see it.

"Thank you, Aang. I appreciate it."

Once Katara was gone, Aang's smile fell. He was alone again. Alone to try and figure out what had happened in the Spirit World. He knew that he had met a small spirit. He knew that it was in pain. He knew that it disappeared after it flew into him.

What he didn't know was what that meant. And just what was the spirit. He wasn't able to get a name.

Gyatso said he would talk to the elders and try to figure out what happened.

The only upside was that Aang's spiritual training had been suspended. That meant that he wouldn't have to worry about losing his sense of fun any time soon. He wouldn't turn into the temple elders any time soon.

Speaking of the temple, he should probably go back. If he stayed out any longer, someone might get worried. And if someone was worried, that meant that he would hear another lecture about the importance of secrecy. Having already heard it at least a thousand times, Aang was in no mood for another.

He turned around to walk back to the temple.

"water..."

Aang stopped in his tracks. What was that voice?

"bend..."

It kinda sounded like a woman. Actually, it sounded like the spirit he had met. But why was it saying "water" and "bend"?

Did it want him to waterbend?

"No. That's stupid. I'm an Airbender. Not a Waterbender. It wouldn't even work."

But would it?

Aang did see the movements Katara had done. He remembered them well enough to copy if he wanted to. And the spirit (or what he was assuming was the spirit) was still speaking in his head.

"water... bend..."

Why not? What was the harm?

Aang moved his hands the way he had seen Katara do it. He was fluid and flowing. He moved them in an arc that resembled a wave. He directed his spirit, not towards the air this time, but at the water.

The water moved.

Here is what I have for now. Just so you all know, Zuko is going to be trying waterbending sooner than later. You can look forward to frustration and an unhealthy amount of teenage angst when we get to that point. Earthbending might be easy for Zuko to understand, but water won't be as simple.

Also, Toph is still an interesting teacher. And she got rid of any anti-firebender bias she might have had in her subconscious. Which is neat.

Also, Aang. That's side story got a bit more interesting in the last chapter, didn't it? Gyatso is trying to figure out what's going on. And now Aang kinda-sorta knows what he is. Will he accept it though? Will he tell anyone?

(I do know, but I'm not saying. So don't ask.)

Finally, a few of you guys have been asking what the relationship between Aang and Zuko will be like. All I can say is... complicated. That's it, that's all I can say. You'll figure out more when we get there.

Anyway, please leave reviews, and I will see you all next time.

Bye!