More filler, interpersonal relationship development, and growth…Except for Zuko and Katara. They are still working through their… well, her… issues.

Side note: Ōkami - Japanese Kami of the earth (I think). Jishin (Koran Earth Goddess, I think) Since I needed a Gaoling Earth Kingdom and a Kyoshi Island counterpart to Agni, Tui, and La. (I strongly hold that the earth kingdom is divided into cultural subsets and regions much more than the Fire Nation or either water tribe. I do believe that the War did create a large cultural divergence between the northern and southern water tribes.

This will likely be longer than my usual entries. The stories just kept writing themselves.


The Tale of Sokka…

Midmorning, Western Air Temple Courtyard…

Zuko sat on the edge of the fountain, reflecting on the morning. Aang had made progress while they had been away on their "hunting trip", but he still had much to learn. Even with the trip to the dragons, Aang was still shy in his bending.

He set his blades across his lap and pulled out his sharpening stone. He began his regular maintenance on the blades, sharpening then cleaning. Each stroke of the sharpening stone was timed with a breath. It was a meditative process. He considered the best ways to encourage his student to fight with more vigor. He could try a fire nation standard. It was standard practice among both benders and non-benders for a master to randomly attack a student to test readiness, improvisation, and mastery under pressure. He was more familiar than most with said process. He was so engrossed in his cleaning, he did not notice the passing of time, nor the arrival of the Sokka and Suki.

Sokka's voice cut through Zuko's thoughts on training Aang, "So then I was all like, Water Tribe, and, hey, Jerkbender, nice little knife you have there. Wonder how it stacks up to a real sword, huh?"

Zuko looked up to see Sokka posing in the most ridiculous way possible. He had puffed his chest and was leaning up on his toes, right hand on the hilt of his black blade. His eyes darted back and forth between Zuko and Suki. Zuko assumed he was trying to make an impression. And if it was an impression Sokka was looking for, it was an impression that Sokka was going to get.

Carefully folding his rag, Zuko set his cleaning gear aside as he stood. His blade glinted in the sunlight as he grasped it in his right hand. "So, you think you can cross blades with me, huh?", Zuko asked.

Drawing his own blade, Sokka replied, "At least I don't have any magic bending to support my sword skills. It's all talent. And Water Tribe Awesomeness."

Zuko saw Suki roll her eyes before walking over to the fountain to take a seat. Zuko and Sokka turned to face each other, about 10 meters apart. The first thing that Zuko notices was that Sokka correctly positioned his hands and head for a proper fire nation bow between nonbending combatants. He matched the bow, hand to fist, head bowed, bending halfway before returning to upright.

Sokka raised his blade high across his body at a 45 degree angle and dropped into a split leg stance, weight on his back leg. He grasped the blade with both hands. The Water Tribe Boy called out, "Rules of Engagement?"

Zuko dropped into his own stance, weight evenly dispersed between legs shoulder width apart. Zuko's blade was held in his right hand alone. Zuko replied, "Yield or Pin?"

"Agreed", the boy replied.

Both boys stood still, sizing the other up. Zuko noticed that Sokka's stance was much better than when they had first met on the frozen tundra all that time ago. His eyes were confident, and his stance was strong. His blade was held with both hands in a right handed style. He it was at a defensive rise, and the Water Tribe Warrior looked ready. Taking a breath to steady his heart rate, Zuko stepped into an attack. He approached to begin.

It was a simple attack, left foot step and thrust just below where Sokka's blade was. His dao flashed towards his opponent's chest, but the black blade deftly dropped down to deflect Zuko's attack towards the ground. Zuko allowed his blade to slide with the block before stepping away.

His opponent again resumed his defensive stance with a taunt, "Is that the best you've got?"

'He really has gotten better since the South Pole', Zuko thought as he renewed his offensive. He feinted high right towards Sokka's shoulder. The other boy reacted, Space Sword moving leftward to block a blow that was never to come. Halfway through the attack, Zuko dropped his blade low, swinging instead towards the Warrior's legs. As Zuko's blade approached Sokka, Sokka jumped, allowing Zuko's blade to pass harmlessly beneath him.

Zuko found himself on the defensive as Sokka took advantage of the missed attack. Using his superior weight and heavier blade, Sokka pushed onto attack. Zuko was just barely able to block the incoming thrust. His blade deflected Space Sword upwards, and Zuko absorbed much of the hit by stepping backwards. Not giving up, Sokka continued his offensive with an overhead swing bearing directly towards Zuko's head. Zuko raised his blade to the right of the incoming attack. Resistance met Zuko's blade as he pushed against Space Sword, deflecting it's course. As soon as the resistance lifted, Space Sword was pushed off to Zuko's left, pulling Sokka off balance.

Leaning into the momentum, Zuko stepped to the left with his right foot. He planted it and pivoted left with his built up momentum. Swinging his left foot around behind him, he continued to turn into a full spin. Planting his left foot, he bent his knee and let the momentum carry him into a jump attack.

As he pushed off of the ground, still spinning slightly, he could see Sokka had again raised Space Sword. Zuko's dao descended from above toward Sokka in a downward slash. Zuko saw a look of recognition in Sokka's eyes as the other boy dropped back into a low stance. Space Sword rose up to meet the dao, but Zuko found it offered little resistance as he descended from his jump. When Zuko hit the ground, the resistance from Space Sword increased. Sokka had pushed hard against Zuko's dao to the left, causing Zuko to continue to rotate as he landed.

Thrown off balance, Zuko held out his right hand as dove into a roll to the left. Space Sword sliced into the earth where he just was. Springing back to his feet, Zuko acknowledged that Sokka was better than he had originally given credit to. In fact, Sokka had a fire nation flaire to some of his attacks.

Recognizing this, Zuko again took to the offense. Sokka would never yield, so long as he still had a blade. Slashing hard, Dao met Space Sword in a quick series of jabs and swipes. With each attack, Zuko would take a small step forward, pushing Sokka back. Taking a deep breath, Zuko swung upward, close to the hilt of Space Sword so that both boys were nearly face to face. The blades were crossed near the base of each blade. With a sharp twist of his wrist and a push from his legs, Zuko pushed against Space Sword and flipped Sokka's blade beneath his own. Continuing the motion, Zuko continued to twist his attack anticlockwise over Sokka, forcing the blade out of the other boys hands. Space Sword skittered across the field and came to rest at the feet of The Duke, who had arrived early in the fight.

Drawing his blade towards Sokka, Zuko chuckled, "Yield"

Sokka said nothing and reached towards his back.

Zuko narrowed his good eye and repeated, "Yield, and don't think about any Boomerang Business."

Raising both hands, Sokka yielded, "Alright. You are good. I'll admit I wasn't ready for you to be this good. But I like that line, Boomerang Business. I'm gonna have to steal that one"

Zuko replied, "You were good. I underestimated you. It was an honour."

Sokka countered, "No my friend, the honour was all mine. I still have much to learn, it seems."

Sheathing his blade, Zuko approached Sokka with an arm outstretched. Sokka looked at it for a moment before grasping it in the Southern Tradition for a full handshake. Both combatants nodded at each other in respect.

Their moment was broken by the voice of The Duke, "That was sooo cool. Will you teach me how to do that?"

Both boys turned to face him and replied (Zuko/Sokka), "Of course I can. But not with swords Katara/My Sister would have my head/never let me forget it if you got hurt."

Both boys blushed slightly at the overlap and awkwardly looked away from each other and the young earth kingdom boy.

Suki's voice rang out, "Hey, The Duke. Pass that sword over my way. I'd like to have a go at our resident firebending sword master."

Zuko turned to face Suki, "No offense, Suki, but you are not ready. And neither am I. Meet here in two days, ok?". Without waiting for a reply, he turned and departed into the Western Air Temple to look for Toph. As he entered, he could hear her questioning Sokka, "Is he always like this?"


The Tale of The World's Greatest Earthbender

The Western Air Temple… Toph's room.

The world's greatest earthbender was having what she would call one of the worst days she had ever had. She was sore all over, and her stomach was killing her. Sugar Queen had passed by earlier to try to get her out of bed. The reply was a resounding thwack with a slap of floor and a sharp call, "Leave me alone".

Meat Head and Fan Girl had passed by her room earlier, talking loudly as well. Their voices annoying to her attempted rest.

She felt another set of steps approaching her. She rolled over and rested a hand on the ground, ready to bend another rock at the poor, unsuspecting sap that was about to approach her room. She realized it was Sparky. She addressed the newcomer, "Hey, Hothead. I ain't feeling so great today, so this better be good!"

"Look, uh, Toph. I need help", came the reply.

"Go to Sugar Queen. I hear she likes helping people", she retorted sarcastically.

"I need your help, Toph. I need earth bending help", he implored.

"Go find Mustache boy. He can help you", she half begged half demanded.

"No, Toph. I need the world's greatest earthbender to help me. I have to make something", he begged.

She could tell that he had even dropped to his knees outside her door. She still felt like shit, but his request had lightened her mood slightly. She stood up and approached her door, "I suppose I could help you. But only because you recognize my greatness, Sparky."

"I suppose I owe you again?", he asked.

"I'll just add it to your tab. At this rate, you'll owe me half of fire fountain city", she quipped as she opened the door. "Now, do tell, what hairbrained shitstorm of a scheme do you have planned, huh? O' Master planner?"

He turned and walked away from her, towards the staircase into the lower levels of the temple. "It's for Suki"

At the mention of Fan Girl, she shuddered back feelings of embarrassment. Both from the incident and from believing that she ever had a chance with Snoozles. Regaining her composure, she snarked, "And how do I factor in on you giving a gift to Snoozles' girlfriend?"

As they descended the stairs, he replied, "It's not so much a gift as it is a repayment of what was lost. My sister took all her arms and armour. The least I can do is get some of it back. I know that she fights with the Kyoshi War fans. I've managed to get an outline from her and Sokka the other day on how they work. I need you to make a mold."

Confused, she asked for clarification, "You want me to make a mold? Of what? The wooden fans that she fight's with?"

He clarified, "Yes, a mold, but for metal. Molten metal. I am going to craft her a new set, since it was basically my fault that she lost hers."

She nodded her head but still had the question, "I thought you said that your sister took her stuff. How is it your fault?"

She could feel a slight shift in his posture as he replied, "Because I had years with Uncle, and I never learned. Not until it was too late. I could have stopped everything all the way back then. If only I was receptive to what he had been trying to teach me."

She chuckled, "Sparky, you leave more questions than answers."

He just continued walking deeper down the stairs. After a long descent, he left the staircase. Outside a closed door, he stopped.

She demanded, "What are we waiting for? Go on."

Sparky grunted before opening the door. He began explaining, "So, I have taken some of the blades from the original Fire Nation attack, as well as the gold ornamental badges off of the imperial firebenders. I am going to melt it all down, blend it all together, and fill out a mold of her fans. Easy enough, except for the fact that I don't have the time nor the tools to craft a mold."

She rolled her eyes, patience thinner than usual today, "And why can't I just bend the metal into the new shape?"

She could feel him take a steadying breath before replying, "Because I have to do this. It was my family that caused all this."

She suspected by the breeze kicked by his arms that he was flailing about. She replied, "Fine. Just show me where I should get started."

He walked over to a stone slab with a small indentation on it. "Here, I have the specifications on this paper here. Oh, right you can't see the paper. Come here"

She approached the sound of paper crinkling on the ground. As she stood next to Prince Hotpants, he reached out his hand and took hers. He pressed her hand onto the paper, guiding it along the design. She could barely feel the difference between the smooth ink and the rough edges of the paper, but hopefully it would be enough. As she focused on taking in the design, he explained what he was looking for.

Once he finally stopped talking, she stood up and approached the block he wanted to use. Reaching with both of her hands, she took the sides underneath her open palms. Slowly she felt the stone and began moving it to his specifications. It was more precise than she normally had to bend, not that she would ever admit it was a challenge.

"A little more off the top, and raise the middle third fold by a little bit", he critiqued.

"Give me a break, Soot Slinger. This is a little more intricate than basing assholes' skulls together", she replied.

"You doin' ok?", he asked, tone shifting from irritated to concerned.

"Just damn fine. My stomach is pissed, and it wasn't even anything I ate. The last few days. Agh, and I am just sore. It's annoying", she vented back.

His only reply was, "Hmmm", as she finished her work. When he spoke again, it was in excitement, "I think this is what I am looking for. Thanks, Toph."

Deciding that it wasn't that bad down in the basement, she plopped down on the ground and felt Zuko go about his work. One by one, he melted blade and adornment into a prepared bucket. It was odd, as the metal heated, she was still able to sense it, but it refused to react to her pull. She could feel the two metals swirling around together as he mixed them with a long stone brick. The entire time he kept a flame underneath the bucket. Once satisfied, he began to reach towards the bucket.

"Won't that hurt?", she asked.

"I don't think so. After Aang and I's learning trip, I think I might be able to bend the heat off the bucket enough to handle. I hope", he answered. His last sentence was less confident than the rest, and she found herself holding her breath as he picked up the bucket and poured it into the mold. She felt the liquid ooze into place.

"Next, to let it cool", he said.

"Great. I don't think you need me anymore. I am going to go back upstairs", she said before standing. As she set her hand on the ground in front of her, it was into something wet and tacky. She grumbled to herself, "Ugh, not again."

She felt him turn to look at her. Curiosity led his voice as he asked, "What, again?"

"I must keep cutting myself. Look, blood", she said, holding up her hand.

"Hmm, that's odd. You haven't done anything down here that would be dangerous…", he began. She felt him shudder, before standing stark still. His breathing and heart rate began to increase. It was when he began to pace in a tight circle and started swearing under his breath, "Oh, sweet Agni. Why Me? Why the fuck me?"

A shudder of fear ran through her as her friend declined into a mental freakout. Tenuously, she asked, "Am I dying?"

He abruptly stopped pacing and his feet turned to face her. His voice wavered between confusion and suspicion, "You've complained to me about soreness and stomach pain. Do you really not know? Are you fucking with me right now? Very funny, Toph. You got me."

His reply was annoying, and she snapped back at him, "Look, Prince Prissy. I don't know what the fuck is going on, so if you could be helpful for once, that would be great."

He let out a genuine laugh. Addressing her again, she heard he had a slight laugh still in his words, "You mean to tell me that Toph Bei Fong, The Blind Bandit, Multiple Earth Rumble Champion title holder, who swears as good as my sailors and knows practically every dirty joke under the sun, who spent years, literal years, in an arena setting amongst competitors and fans, who repeats some of the raunchiest stories I have heard, and recall, I spent three straight years on a ship, best friend of Sokka, doesn't know what is going on? You mean Katara has never spoken to you about this?"

She looked in the direction his face was and tried to school her features into one of sincerity. He was annoyingly confusing. All she wanted was answers, and he was being difficult. She replied as sincerely as she could, "No, I, Toph Bei Fong, have no Ōkami forsaken clue about what you are speaking!"

He chuckled darkly in admission of defeat, "Of course you don't. Why not? Just sit there. I am going to heat my hands and set them on your stomach, Ok? It will help with the pain. Just let me know if they are too hot."

The heat from his hands did feel good, and it helped to reduce the pain. "Thanks, Sparky, but you still haven't told me what is going on."

Emerging into the upper levels of the Western Air Temple… One very Awkward conversation later.

Zuko snapped the fans open and closed. He hadn't gotten to study much of the Kyosi Warrior style of combat, but he hoped that the fans would be up to Suki's standards. Or at very least, they would suffice until she could get something better.

He emerged into the light, and Toph followed him. He called back to her, "And just because we had that awkward conversation, nothing changes, Ok? We still spar, you still annoy the Agni given crap out of me, I irritate you. But if you do need some heat, you could ask nicely."

She teased, "Really, you drop that whole speech on me then tell me to ask nicely?" A little more sincerely, she continued, "What I still don't understand is how you know the trick with the heat? It's not like you need to do that to yourself, or do you?" She couldn't help but tease him in the end.

He almost hit himself in the face with the fan as he facepalmed. "Toph, I had a sister before I was banished. She always was a quick developer in everything. And let's not forget that I did have a girlfriend. Now run along. I have to hide these, then apparently we are out of firewood, fruit and vegetables, meat, and no one has clean clothes. Didn't any of you do anything while I was gone?"

Toph scoffed behind him, "Do things? Since you showed up, you have been doing all the things. Sugar Queen seemed to think that we were doing them. She gave us a good yelling at while you were frolliking about the Fire Nation."

He rolled his eyes and replied, "Look, Toph. I'm back. So you can run along and tell the younger boys, and Sokka, that we are going to be dividing the work again."


The Tale of Aang and Teo…

The sky above the Western Air Temple…

Aang and Teo were both gliding through the air alongside Momo and Appa. The four free spirits were looping about, enjoying the afternoon. Appa had napped for most of the morning, whereas Momo had spent his morning harassing Sokka.

Teo had been working on a star chart for navigation the last few weeks and was hoping that it would be done soon. With both Zuko and Sokka gone, he didn't have anyone to help him with how it would work. Haru tried, but just didn't understand. Katara had been snippy since Sokka and Zuko left, so he didn't ask her. The Duke didn't care about maps and just wanted to sword fight.

Aang loved gliding. It was freeing and relaxing. He was one with the wind and the sky and the air around. He leaned into a steep dive before pulling into a triple inverted loop. His cries of happiness rang through the valley. Zuko and Sokka had brought back Suki and Sokka and Katara's dad. His found family grew even larger. It was good to finally get to talk to Hakoda, and Suki was nice to talk to again as well.

Teo cautiously coasted towards where Aang was at. Pulling alongside Aang, Teo spoke, "Look, I am sorry for the damage caused to the Air Temple by my dad. We were just afraid of the fire nation. I feel like I lived there so long, that that was my home. I just wish that I could go back and fix it."

Aang slowed his glide speed to match Teo's. The heartfelt apology meant a lot to the lonely airbender. The airbender replied, "That means a lot to me. Once this is all over, we are going to need to rebuild. If you and your dad wanted, you could help return the temple to the way it once was. You could continue to live there, as a new member of the soon to be reconstituted Air Nomads! Maybe some of the others would want to join us as well!"

Teo thought it over, "Are you sure, you were kind of angry about what we did there?"

Aang replied, "It's all good. You would be helping to make right the wrong."

Teo looked over at Aang with appreciation, "I will have to talk to dad, but I am sure he would love to. I don't know about any of the others, but I do know that there are some fire nation rumors that you might want to hear."

Aang's voice was curious as he replied, "What rumors would I like to hear? What good could come from the fire nation military that was passing by you?"

Teo chuckled, "I thought you might say that. Apparently, the generals that would drop off and pick up designs would forget that I am around. They would just speak their minds. Not that I ever told them to stop. But anyways, apparently, there are rumors that some of the Air Nomads descendants are living in the fire nation. Apparently, one important noble family is suspected of being a direct descendant from an Airbender. There could still be your people out there, Aang!"

Aang took a moment to digest what he just heard, "Are you sure? I mean, they are just rumors. And the Monks always said rumors spread like a weed and kill the truth. But even if there are rumors, I still have to look into them. I owe it to my people. Our people, if you and your dad choose to come live at a temple again."

Teo replied, "I do know that one time the fire nation commander that was talking to his other soldier was saying something about grey eyes. To be honest, you are the first person I have ever met with eyes like yours."


The tale of Hakoda, Haru, and The Duke.

The Western Air Temple, late afternoon…

Hakoda had returned from a hunting trip around the outer areas of the Western Air Temple. Having dropped the meager findings at the kitchen, he elected to wander about the Temple. Nowhere in mind, Hakoda just appreciated being able to wander about without any guards, cuffs, or chains. He emerged back out onto one of the upper balconies of the Temple. The sun blazed down and the air was thick like seal blubber soup.

He stood at the edge of the balcony and looked to the sky, big lazy clouds painted on a canvass of pale blue. A bittersweet thought passed through his mind as he thought, 'Kya would have loved this.'

So lost in thought, he missed the young earth kingdom children enter the balcony behind him. He only noticed them when the older boy spoke, "Um, Hakoda, Chief, Sir?"

He turned around to find the earthbender and the young child in the helmet. The younger boy looked up sheepishly at the chief, before holding out his left hand. It was badly splintered and red.. The boy explained, "I was climbing a tree and working on my swordsmanship when I fell out of the tree. I would normally go to Katara, but she told me not to climb that tree and that I am too young to play with swords."

The sight of the two boys brought another memory back to Hakoda. He recalled the time Sokka had gotten both fish hooks stuck in his hand, even after he was warned not to play around with them.

He waved both boys over, and held out his right arm. The young boy put his injured hand into the Chief's hand. Having spent enough time on a battlefield and assessing injuries, he could tell that the boy's hand was not broken, but it would be sore.

Carefully, Hakoda pulled out the larger splinters before advising that the younger boy should let it rest for a few days.

The smaller boy thanked the warrior. Curious as to how these kids knew his children, Hakoda sat down crossed leg on the floor and motioned for the boys to do so. The earthbender sat likewise, but the younger boy spilled out himself all over the floor.

"So, how do you two know Sokka and Katara?", he asked.

The older boy opened his mouth to speak, but the younger boy beat him to words, "Hi, so I am The Duke. Not Duke, The Duke. And I was with Jet and the other Freedom fighters. We were going about protecting the Earth Kingdom from the fire nation. We lived in the trees and would raid the unsuspecting Fire Nation citizens. We lived as a group, as a family. We supported each other. But one day, Katara and Aang and Sokka passed through. Our leader, Jet, saw that they could be part of our group. So he tried to get to know them. Aang and Katara got along well with him, but then Sokka didn't like him. They kinda butted heads. I think it was because they both see themselves as the leader. Jet had a plan to flood a fire nation settlement, but then Katara and Aang redirected the water, and she left him frozen to a tree. It took us a long time to dig him out. We didn't see them again for a long time, but eventually, Jet decided that Katara was right and that he wanted to change. And that we should make for Ba Sing Se because it was safer. We traveled across the earth kingdom. Along the way, we met up with a lot of other refugees. While we were crossing a ferry, Jet found these other refugees and we joined forces with this guy named Lee, who helped us steal food from the captain. Later, Jet thought that Lee's Uncle, Mushi, was firebending, so Jet spent most of the rest of his time in Ba Sing Se following around Lee. He and his uncle opened a Tea Shop. It was a something dragon. I forget exactly. But then we ran into Katara and Sokka and Aang, and another girl, Toph. We then went on an expedition into a weird prison place with Jet and he was hit by a lot of rocks. But then the Earth Kingdom Dai Li came and and we had to leave. I don't know if they took Jet. But we laid low for a long time once the fire nation invaded. And then we got word about Sokka's invasion so we came to help but then it failed and we escaped with everyone. And then Zuko came. Zuko kinda looks like Li, but no one else here would know that. Anyways. That's how we met!"

Hakoda took a moment to digest the entirety of the young boy's statement. That was quite the story for a young boy. Orphaned boys all living in a community in the tree tops.

Haru began to tell his story, "So my story is a little less exciting than The Duke's. I lived in an Earth Kingdom town that was under fire nation control. That meant that all earthbenders were sent to prison. That was how my dad was taken. Katara, Sokka, and Aang came to town and stayed with Mum and I for a few days. Katara convinced me to earthbend to help one of our townmembers that got caught in the mine, but he sold me out to the guards. I was taken to the fire nation mining tower. It was in the middle of the ocean on a metal platform. I was reunited with dad and a lot of the local earth benders, but we were trapped. But then Katara and Aang came along and helped us bust out. Just like The Duke, when we heard that the Sokka, Blue Wolf of the Southern Water Tribe was planning a invasion, we came right away."

Listening to the stories of his children through these other children, Hakoda felt a tear raise at his eye. His children have grown up, become proud warriors and representatives of the Southern Water Tribe.

Wiping the tear from his face, he spoke to the children, "A story for a story. Have either of you heard the story of how Sokka once got two fish hooks stuck in his thumb?"

When they both looked at him with wide eyes and shook their heads 'no', he began the story. Not long into his story, Teo, the other young boy, landed on the balcony from his flying wheelchair. Motioning him over, Teo also began listening to the story.

He didn't know it then, but all three boys would soon be back for more stories from Hakoda, The Grey Wolf of the South. And he didn't know yet that he would care for these boys as best he could. To shelter them as he was unable to for his own children.


The Tale of Momo

The Western Air Temple, Night time

Hunger. Momo awoke to a growl. Startled, he looked around, only to feel an emptiness in his stomach. His wings unfurled and he took to flight. The air-monk-friend did not stir as Momo took to the air. He flew out the door and down the confusing corridors of the temple.

While flying, he heard a rustling. Flying towards the noise, it was the flying-chair-friend. As he flew closer, he recognized the sounds of crying coming from the boy's room. As he flew by, Water-Girl-Who-Wont-Give-Me-Leftovers entered into the room with the crying. Soft words were exchanged, too quiet for Momo to hear.

Twice he got lost looking for the exit. Water-Boy-who-eats-all-my-food snored so loud it shocked Momo into flying into a wall. Hoping to find the exit, he heard Young-Earth-Boy-With-Big-Hat call out, "Tell me a story."

Much to Momo's surprise, a voice replied. Fire-Nation-Chase-Boy replied, "I suppose. But this is the last one. Then you are going to sleep. I have to go to sleep as well." Momo drifted through the halls as the Fire-Nation-Chase-Boy weaved a story of times long past and spirits and dragons.

Finally he found the nighttime air. Sweet freedom and the smell of Moonpeaches just over the horizon. To the tree he went, and found the largest and ripest of them all. One was simply not enough. He needed more. Two, then three, then four. He raised his wings to fly back, sluggish from his meal. Flopping and falling more than flying, he made his way back to the temple.

He flew past the Young-Earth-Boy-With-Big-Hat's room. The door was ajar, but the boy was asleep. Fire-Chase-Boy was no longer there.

Flying was proving to be too much effort, so he landed and began to walk. If only he knew where Air-Monk-Friend was sleeping. As he walked, he passed by Flying-Chair-Friend's room. It was now silent, except for the sounds of soft snoring.

Further along, he passed New-Earth-Girl's room. She too was asleep. He stopped outside White-Eye-Earth-Girl's room to the sound of an argument.

"No Toph, I am not going to sing you a song", came the Fire-Boy's voice.

"Look, Sparky Princess Pants. You still owe me. Trust me, you don't want me to make your life any harder", replied White-Eyes

"As if. Katara has a monopoly on that, I think", Fire-Boy replied.

"I'm waiting", White-Eyes demanded.

"Ok, Fine. But I get to pick the song", Fire-Boy replied. Without stopping, he began to sing, "I can see by your eyes, and your bright winning smile, you're a lass that has come a long way. And my guess, my choice, by the lilt of your voice, you're an island girl come straight from away"

The singing faded out of hearing as Momo approached deeper into the temple. Water-Girl-Who-Wont-Give-Me-Leftovers was again in her room, also asleep now. Knowing he must be close to Air-Monk-Friend, Momo again took flight. In a quick moment he found once more his friend, and curled upon his warm bald head and passed back into sleep.


The tale of Suki

The Western Air Temple fountain, the next morning.

Suki approached the fountain, expecting to see Zuko. He had been annoyingly cryptic yesterday after his duel with Sokka. She was hoping he would face her in a fight. She was itching for a good fight, and she could see that he knew his way around a sword. Hopefully Sokka will let her borrow Space Sword. 'I'm sure he will', she thought to herself as she sat down alone. Sokka had diverted to the kitchen to go see if there was any food left.

The Duke, Haru, and Teo emerged from the building to come over to her. The Duke was in his helmet with his stick sword slung over his back. Teo had papers in his hands, and Haru just yawned.

Haru stated, "They heard you were going to fight Zuko and they wanted to see it. I suppose I do too, but does it need to be so early?"

Before she could reply, the overlapping voices of Teo and The Duke were arguing that it wasn't too early and that it was just a friendly fight.

Aang dropped into the courtyard with a whoosh of air. Everyone looked over at him, after making such an entrance. He just shrugged and replied, "What? I just finished Fire Bending with Sifu Hotman." He turned to Suki and advised, "He told me to tell you he will be right here. He has to go get something."

When Sokka arrived, he was bouncing an apple in his free hand. "Look, guys, we have food again!"

He quickly crossed the space to sit next to her. He looked over at her and said, "Look, he is good, but I am sure you can take him. Just know that Space Sword is a little heavier than the fans are."

She patted him on the shoulder and responded, "Thanks. But don't forget who first taught you how to fight. I see that you went and found yourself some fancy Fire Nation teacher, but I am quite good on my own, too."

She suppressed a chuckle as he quickly jumped to apologize, "I didn't mean to say that you weren't good, because you are. Really good. Like super great."

His sappy smile was too much, and she flashed him a smile back.

Toph made her entrance loudly and aggressively, as expected. She emerged directly from the floor of the courtyard with a flash of rock flying into the air. It flew up then back down at her and filed in the hole as if it was never there. Everyone fell silent as she made her way to the side of the fountain and sat down.

Sokka broke the silence, "And what has Toph up this early?"

She mumbled something that sounded like, "I already know what is coming, and I want to be here for it, since I helped. Plus, I like contests. Blind Bandit and all. Sorry, Fan Girl, but I have 20 silver on His Lordship the Fireyness."

Sokka was quick to her defense, "Look, Toph, I know you didn't spend much time with Suki, but I'll take you up on that."

After his reply, the assembled began to talk amongst themselves. Sokka and Toph spit shook on their bet while she wondered what the little girl meant by, 'What is coming. What could she have done? What was Zuko doing and why was he so late. What in Jishin's sweet earth could he be up to.'

She didn't have to wonder long, as the newly restarted chatter again dropped silent. Zuko had emerged from the temple. He stood tall in the doorway, his blade strapped at his waist. His hands were behind his back. He approached her, hands kept behind his back. She stood to greet him, wary of his concealed hands. He stopped about twenty paces away and spoke, "I meant to make a box, but then I spent time on, um, other things. Then I had other stuff to do. But anyways, I know that you normally fight with two fans. And it wouldn't be fair for me to fight you with you borrowing a single sword. I am sure you are quite good, but I want you to be at your best. No holding back. So, I uh, went and made these. With a little help. I do hope that they are up to your standards."

With that, in one swift motion, he stepped towards her and dropped into a deep bow. As he dropped, he pulled his hands up from behind his back to reveal a pair of shiny golden fans. She felt her mouth drop open in shock. They were stunning. She reached out and took them, experimentally flipping them open, first the left, then the right. They moved as she remembered. They were a little heavier than she was used to, but that wouldn't be too much of an issue.

He stood up and made eye contact. "I hope they are up to your standards", he offered.

She replied, "I think they are. We won't know until they are tested. You ready?"

"Almost", he replied, "Look at the engraving. It was on a dagger Uncle once gave to me, and I thought it applied to you as well. Since you never seem to, that is."

She snapped the fan open and noticed the characters, "Made in Fire Nation?"

He rolled his eyes as Toph chuckled at him. She heard him mutter to himself, "Always. Why did I have to include that?" Again addressing her, "The other one."

With a flick of her wrist, it sprung open. She read aloud, "Never give up without a fight"

She looked back over at the prince, who was now holding a dagger. "The same thing is engraved here on this knife. Uncle gave it to me as a reminder. I know it applies to you so I thought it would be fitting."

She bowed to him, "I think it is fitting as well." She stepped into a quick form, snapping open and closed her new fans. Satisfied with their performance, she declared, "Are you ready?"

She stepped into a basic defensive stance, right leg back and to the side, left fan closed and high, right fan low and open.

He bowed to her just like he did Sokka, "I am." He drew his blade and held it in his left hand only. He raised it at a forty five degree angle across his body, slightly pointed forward.

In a flash, he had made the first step into the first strike.

To say it felt good to be back in combat with her most familiar weapon would be an understatement. She saw the simple stab towards her stomach. With a casual flick of right wrist, she snapped the metallic closed and used it to push on the blade, pushing it out of the way of hitting her. While Zuko pulled his blade back towards his body, she snapped her left fan open and swung at his head.

The ring of metal on metal echoed as his blade flashed upward to parry her counterattack. He brought it back in front of his body before slashing high to low towards her. Another easy block, she snapped her right fan open and used both to again redirect his blade off to the side of her. She watched carefully, waiting for him to lose balance. His footing never faltered as he shifted momentum with another swing, this time at her left side. Snapping her left fan closed, she caught his blade on the middle open part of her fan, pushing back against him. With her left fan, she struck the top of his blade, holding it in place against her fan. She looked him in the eyes and taunted, "Ok. I know what you are doing. Stop going easy on me".

Her training had prepared her for many things, but the odd smile on her opponent's face and his soft chuckle was just unnerving. It was not unfriendly, nor was it with warmth. His response was equally as odd, "Is that what you think I was doing?"

She saw his left arm raise again before dropping fast and sweeping low. His blade flashed in the morning sun as it swung her legs. Not bothering to block, she jumped over the incoming blade. She saw him stumble slightly forward, yet his face continued to smirk. Hoping to capitalize on his stumble, she struck towards his side with her left fan, still closed. It almost made contact with his right side when he dropped flat on the ground. Her momentum carried her over his prone form. As she finished the swing, he sprung up from the ground.

He was attacking again from above, pressing his slight height advantage. The blade in his left hand was striking from directly above her head. Snapping her right closed, she crossed her fans above her head to form an X. Zuko's blade sliced directly into the upper part of the X and was stopped where the two fans met. She pushed against his blade enough to stop his momentum, but not enough to push it back. Ducking to her right, she let pulled her right fan down and snapped the left open. Pushing the left fan against his blade, she used his pushback to aid her momentum in sidestepping.

He stumbled to his right and she saw her chance. Snapping both fans closed, she rushed directly at Zuko, before he could dodge out of the way. The unexpected attack seemed to wipe the smirk off of his attack, and the force of her hitting him pushed them both towards the temple wall.

Smirk back, he raised his blade to strike from above once more. Acting quicker, she stabbed both closed fans again in an X shape just to both sides of his arm. Her counter attack pinned the firebender's sword arm against the wall.

"Yield?", she asked.

"Do you think you are the only ambidextrous one here?", he chuckled, confident smirk returning. At once the pressure from his left forearm went away as he stopped resisting her hold. His right arm came across his body. He dropped his sword from his left hand, catching it in the right.

She pulled back again, now that he was free. Dropping into her defensive stance, her right fan open and held high, left fan open and held middle low. 'Let's see what you really know, firebender', she mused to herself. In her limited experience, she had come to find that benders, on average, were really lousy weapon fighters. Yet another mystery of the man in front of her.

His sword now in his right hand, he continued to attack. He struck right and she swatted his blade away. Responding, he swung upward at an angle from the left, which she met with both fans open.

He returned his blade in front of his body, holding it waist high and blade straight up, bisecting his image. He spoke, "It doesn't seem fair that you have two fans, but I only have one sword…"

Not dropping her guard, she taunted back, "I could teach you how to fight Kyoshi Style, dual fans. Sokka here learned for a while." Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Sokka flush deep red. Toph leaned over and elbowed him and asked why his heart rate spiked.

Zuko retorted, "I will have to take you up on that offer another time. Since I already can fight with both hands, why shouldn't I?"

She watched as he took his left hand and brought it to the hilt of his blade. The assembled gasped in awe as Zuko's blade split into two. "Dao", he explained, "Perfectly balanced, each one half of the other."

She could feel the adrenaline rushing as he dropped into a stance. His legs were lightly bent, and both blades were held out with a slight upward angle in front of him. In unison, he raised both hands and brought the blades down towards her, a little space between both. Raising both open fans she slipped them between his descending blades and pushed them away. Both of his blades passend harmlessly to her sides. Keeping light on her feet, she snapped both fans closed and stabbed towards his chest.

He stepped back out of range of her stab, then stabbed with both blades towards her sides. Swinging her arms low and around, she pushed up on his blades, deflecting them skyward.

Regrouping again, they broke apart once more. He stepped forward for another stab, but she preempted him by spinning out of the way.

They continued their back and forth, the sounds of footfalls mixed with metal crashing. He would swing and she would dodge. She would attack and he would block. They met and separated, clashed and withdrew. She could feel the exhaustion starting to kick in, but yielding was not an option. So focused was she on the fight, that she didn't notice Katara's voice ring out from within the temple.

"What is all that noise out there? What is going on?"

Without missing a beat, Toph snickered back, "I can't really see, but it feels kinda like Sparky and Fan Girl are dancing."

Once Toph finished her statement, a lot happened almost simultaneously. Sokka jumped from his seat, fumbling around for Space Sword. Toph fell over backwards into the fountain laughing, causing a rather large splash. The rest of the assembled all drew in a big breath as Katara emerged from the doorway.

Suki made eye contact with Zuko. Both had stepped away from each other, but neither dropped from a ready stance.

"This just got really awkward, didn't it?", she asked him.

"Not the most awkward situation I've ever been in, but I won't disagree", he replied.

Before he could say another word, he was blown backwards into the fountain by a large blast of water. She turned to see Katara, who had just finished bending the water out of the fountain to hit Zuko. The target in question was now also in the fountain, next to a still giggling Toph.

"I told you all he was going to attack us. But did you listen? NO!", Katara hollered.

Turning to face the waterbender, she explained, "Look, I know you and Zuko have your little secret thing that you two do." This drew a chuckle from most of the attending, except for Katara, who looked offended at the notion, and Sokka, who was again looking at Zuko like he was about to run him through with Space Sword. Suki continued, "But that is between you and him. You see these?" She brandished her new weapons in the air. "These were made by that guy over there. The guy who is trying to let go of his past. People change. People make mistakes. Look at your brother. We love him not less for his past or his mistakes."

Katara hung her head silently. Sokka stopped glaring at Zuko long enough to look over at her confusedly. She thought to herself, 'He can be so thick in the head.'


The Tale of Azula…

The Fire Nation Palace, Imperial Throne Room…

Multiple days of search had led to nothing. There was one sighting as her traitorous brother and his band of bumbling barbarians made their escape. Using a salvaged scout balloon, they three had scoured the air, earth, and water but could not find any trace of her brother. Never one to admit defeat, she was about to expand her search radius when the messenger bird came. It was a summons back to the Imperial Palace. And so they went.

Mai was off in the armory, restocking her blades. Ty Lee was doing, whatever. Meanwhile, she pushed the doors to the throne room open. The Fire Lord stood before his throne, behind a roaring wall of fire. She entered and bowed before her father.

His voice was laced with venom and irritation, "You have failed me, daughter. You were supposed to be the successful one. My true successor. And yet here we are, you are no better than your worthless brother."

She maintained her cool exterior, admonishment was not something new. The barb about her brother was difficult. She had always been better than him. To hear otherwise was one of the worst things she could ever hear. Had anyone else said that, she would have personally blasted them into the Spirit World.

The Fire Lord continued, "Not only did you fail to stop the breakout, word of the breakout is spreading. You failed to relocate the prisoners."

She defended herself, "I assure you. We were still tracking them. My brother is not as smart. I was just about to have his trail. We will…"

She was cut off by the Fire Lord, "You should have never let them escape. And I haven't gotten to your worst failure yet. Despite the capture at Ba Sing Se, the Avatar is still alive. And you were the one that oversaw the operations. You knew. And yet you allowed that traitor to return under the guise of a hero. You are just as bad as him. And his mother."

The needling finally hit home. You could compare her to Zuko, or to Uncle Fuddy-Duddy. But her mother was off limits. She was nothing like that woman. She drew in a sharp breath and snapped fire into her hands.

"Ah, yes. Your mother. I can see her resemblance in your face. It seems that I will just have to remove all traces of her from this court", he said flaty.

Taken aback, she queried, "But I am your heir. I am the only one to take the throne."

The Fire Lord laughed, "Really, child. Do you think I am incapable of making another heir. This time with a proper Fire Nation National. I should by right destroy you right here and now. You are just as deserving of a mark as your brother, if not more. But that would mean having to lower myself to fighting with you, and you are beneath me. Begone from my sight. Take you useless companions with you. It would seem you forgot my lesson about competent help and personal attachments as well. Let's see if you still recall your lessons regarding discipline, honour, and obedience."

With a swish of his ornamental cloak and a wave of his hand, the Fire Lord turned and retreated behind his throne and out of the room.

Alone, she began to comprehend the meaning behind his words. 'I am nothing like her. And I am definitely nothing like him either', she thought of her mother and brother. "I will be back. I will take what is mine. My right. Anyone who stands in my way will be eliminated. I am unstoppable. I will be back. I will retake this. You can't hurt me."