Foggy Swamp...
"It's been an honor to have you here with us."
Hu meant that. While their time together had seemed short, it was spontaneous and full of surprises. Not all of those surprises had been pleasant, but they bought a variety to his village's life. And that was a good thing to have.
"It's been an honor to learn under you. I'll make sure to keep all your lessons in my heart and mind," Zuko assured his swamp master.
"I'll make sure he keeps up with those studies," Iroh added, sharing a smile with a fellow master.
"I'll probably come back at some point," Toph said as she started to walk away. "I'm not going to die before mastering this mud."
Smiling at Toph, Zuko took one last chance to bow to Hu. "I'll come back too if I get the chance. Personally, I still want to master those vines."
"If you do come back, I'll have a lesson ready," Hu responded with a bow of his own.
With their farewells spoken, Zuko and his crew started their trek outside the swamp. When they were no longer visible, Due came out next to Hu.
"You think they'll be alright?"
Hu smiled. "Death is an illusion, and it won't hurt them. I'm sure they'll be fine."
Elsewhere...
"Why haven't I burned this thing already?"
Azula was careful to make sure none of the guards or servants outside her door could hear her. The last thing she needed was any of them having or, Agni forbid, asking questions. Those questions could possibly trickle all the back up to her father. And she wouldn't be able to lie well enough to save her skin from his anger. Not if he knew the context of the question.
A question that revolved entirely around a letter many years old that Azula had somehow kept hidden for that long. A letter that had seeded doubts in her mind when she was sure of her path in life. A path that now had an unwanted fork in it.
I'm willing to try and be your brother again if you are willing to be my sister again.
Those were the finishing words Zuzu had written years ago when he somehow sent the letter. Words that, even as age had faded some of the ink, remained. Ingrained not only in the paper but in her mind as well.
Of course, Azula was partially convinced that it was a trick. Not by Zuko, he was too earnest for that. But her dear uncle had been the Fire nation's greatest general before his disgrace. And being a general required one to be crafty. It was entirely possible that he had sent that letter in Zuko's name as an attempt to throw Azula off her game.
Well, if that were the case, then her dear uncle's plan had already failed. She had spent all the years since that letter perfecting her firebending forms and techniques. She was under no illusion that she could beat her uncle just yet, but her brother wouldn't be an issue. He had always struggled with basic forms, so he would no match for her more advanced techniques.
Of course, that only mattered if Iroh played a role in the letter. If not, then Zuko would have meant what he wrote. He was far too honest to lie so convincingly.
And if that was the case...
The candles in the room began to flicker. And Azula quickly set her mind back on more important matters.
She wasn't going to be staying with the ship. Or with any of the crew. If she did, she would only get held back. None of these soldiers were on her level.
So she would need to explore the earth kingdom and find people that were.
Kyoshi Island Shores...
Aang was silent on the way back to Kyoshi Island. Gyatso had his concerns about this, but he thought it best to save them until all of their company were in attendance. Whatever ended up happening, it would be best for the entire group to be in agreement.
It didn't take too long for them to reach the shores of Kyoshi. And once they arrived, Gyatso also took notice of the fact that Aang did not jump out of the boat as he normally would. He simply stepped off and walked to the beach. Which gave Gyatso even more reason to be concerned.
He had hoped that speaking with his past lives would have Aang mature a bit faster and embrace his destiny, but this was too much.
"Aang," he called out. When the young boy stopped, Gyatso made sure to grab his students shoulder. "Before we go to speak with Katara and Sokka, I need to know what you discussed with your past life."
"I told you monk Gyatso. Roku told me..."
"I am not referring to Roku, Aang. I am referring to Tenzin."
At the mention of his previous incarnation, Aang immediately became apprehensive. It wasn't a topic he was eager to discuss. And Gyatso took note of that.
"Aang. What did Tenzin tell you?"
"The same things Roku said. He didn't tell me anything-"
"Aang. Do. Not. Lie to me," Gyatso said sternly and seriously. "I took you to the temple in the hopes of illustrating to you how important it is for you to realize your new destiny."
Aang nodded. He knew that. He understood that now.
"But I think it may have worked too well. And I don't want this overachievement to have any negative effects upon you."
"Monk Gyatso, you don't need to worry. I only talked to Tenzin for a little while."
"And what did he say during that time?" Gyatso asked with more rigid eyes than Aang ever remembered seeing on him.
"He just... told me about his life. About how he died," Aang told his teacher.
"What else did he tell you?"
"Nothing important."
"Aang."
"I'm serious. All he said was... was that I might end up like him if I don't shape up."
Upon hearing this, Gyatso's eyes widened in concern. And fear.
That was too much. Aang was the avatar, but he was still a child. This wasn't supposed to be a concern for him yet.
"Tenzin said that if I don't learn soon, I'll just be killed like he was. That I'll-"
Aang's words were cut off when Gyatso immediately enveloped his apprentice in a tight hug. One that he refused to release him from. And one that shocked Aang.
"Monk Gyatso?"
"Aang. Listen to me carefully," Gyatso begged. "Do not despair. Do not let the fear of death rule you. Please."
"Master?"
"I am not going to let history repeat itself. Not so long as I live," Gyatso assured Aang as he finally let go.
"But you said yourself that I need to take this seriously. That being an Avatar meant that I couldn't be so childish anymore."
"You are a child Aang. You cannot forget that," Gyatso said. "Yes, you need to take your responsibilities to heart. But you cannot forget what you are. It's a reality you cannot die."
"I don't get it," Aang said. "I can't forget that I'm a kid, but I also need to also be responsible. How does that work?"
"It's a question we will need to figure out in time," Gyatso said as he took Aang's shoulders and led him back to the village. "You're not alone in this Aang. I have no intention of leaving."
Smiling softly, Aang nodded. "Ok Monk Gyatso. I trust you."
Smiling back, Gyatso led Aang back to the home they were temporarily living in. They needed to consult with the rest of their gang.
As for Aang, he did feel slightly better. Fear still formed a cloud around him, but its grip was lessened. His destiny still frightened him, but at least he wouldn't have to face it alone.
He hoped.
Foggy Swamp Outskirts...
Zuko began to realize something was wrong when Vaatu started to become harder to see. There were moments when the chaotic spirit became all but translucent, indiscernible from the trees and vines around him.
"Vaatu? Are you ok?"
"Hm?"
Almost as if for the first time, Vaatu examined himself. And when he saw how difficult it was becoming to maintain his appearance, he realized what was happening.
"Ah. It seems I will be returning into your consciousness soon."
"What? Why?" Zuko asked. Ony for Iroh to have the answer.
"His appearance was made possible by the immense spiritual energies of the swamp. Without it, he cannot maintain a physically observable form."
"Exactly as the old dragon says," Vaatu confirmed. "A shame. Soon, only you will be able to enjoy my presence vessel."
Zuko frowned. "I'm overjoyed," he said sardonically.
"So no more weird spirit guy?" Toph interjected.
"Indeed, little badgermole," Vaatu said as he used a tendril to ruffle Toph's hair. "Soon I won't be able to directly comment on your glorious destruction. Though I will be sure to make my vessel pass the word along."
Toph, despite not liking her hair touched, nodded.
"As for you old dragon," Vaatu said, looking down at Iroh. "Try not to corrupt my vessel too much. He already has too much morality."
Iroh frowned. But he chose to say nothing yet.
"And you, actual dragon..."
Druk, walking forward from behind Zuko, looked up at Vaatu. After a few seconds of silence, Vaatu pet Druk just as he had Toph. Only Druk was much happier to be petted.
"I will see you all again when I am able."
The crew continued to walk. And just as they reached the borders of the swamp, Vaatu's physical form disappeared. leaving the crew without their flying kite of madness.
"So now I'm the only one stuck with him," Zuko lamented just as they passed the last tree. Symbolizing how they had now left the swamp, entering the Earth Kingdom proper once again.
Iroh clasped his nephew's shoulder. "Do not worry Zuko. I am sure that Vaatu won't bother you too much. I'm sure he will spend more time trying to make himself physical again."
He had a point. Zuko had to admit that. But that didn't mean that Vaatu wouldn't try to annoy Zuko as much as possible now that he was in his dreams again.
But Zuko was drawn out of those thoughts when Druk crawled up his back. The dragon placed his head on Zuk's shoulder, holding on to his back. And even though Druk had gained a lot of size and weight these past few weeks, Zuko was happy to have him with him.
"Are we moving or what?" Toph called out, now many feet ahead of them.
The four crew members made their way outside the swamp and back to the Earth Kingdom. It was time for their next mission to begin.
Can't really make excuses for this chapter coming out later than expected. I've been busy trying to promote my original writings, and that is harder than I expected.
Anyways, this is where I will stop for now. With this chapter, I have set the trajectory for three different groups. Aang and his friends will be taking their mission a bit more seriously, and Zuko and his group will be staying on their trail.
As for Azula... she has her own things to figure out.
Just a heads up, but I think the next few chapters will be focusing on Druk and Toph. They've been background characters for a little while now, and I think it's time I bring them back to the forefront.
Anyway, please feel free to tell me what your opinions are in the reviews. I tend to enjoy reading them.
I will see you all next time.
Bye!