Chapter 2: The Last of an Extinct Race

The sun and moon has soared across the sky for many days since the passing of the century war. Aang along with the only two companions he's allowed to accompany him ever since his broken departure from the Fire Nation have been flying for quite some time now.

Appa gave a low groan and stumbled in the air causing Aang to steady himself on the Flying Bisons along with Momo. The sudden jerk in his movements was an unsuspecting on, and it surely caught them by surprise. Aang was in such deep thought over what had transpired recently, while also reflecting upon the journey's he's experienced up to this point - that he never realized how exhausted Appa has been, and he was doing it for him.

"I'm sorry, Appa." Aang apologized. "I was so caught up in my own world that I never realized how hard you must've been enduring. Tell you what bud, if we don't see land in the next thirty minutes you can land in the water and swim until you've regained your strength."

After hearing the Sky Bison's approval, his thoughts were once again returned to a much more confined sector of his thoughts. Oddly enough, he couldn't stop himself from thinking of the two who had betrayed his trust. It made him wonder, just why? Why did this happen? Why wasn't he her choice. He knew better than anyone who has endured such dreadful emotions of pain, loss, and emptiness. He was no stranger to it. Returning to a temple that has long been deserted and silenced by the very Nation he had freed from a figure that promoted nothing but tyranny, only to be stabbed in the back by something that should've been clarified long ago. It angered him. Was he acting childish, maybe he was... but even he deserved an ounce of respect.

Waking up in an era where everyone you once knew has most likely passed without your knowing, it was a huge blow to his emotional stability. They've all moved on while he was left to fulfill a duty he never wanted in the first place. Come to think of it, he's never exactly had a normal childhood as compared to others. To live and thrive with relatives of blood was just, foreign now. The similarities between Katara and Zuko were too bright to be left unseen. They both suffered; And they both lost a precious figure in their lives. But hasn't HE felt that loss as well? So then why? Because of a deceased mothers that-

...mother?

Who... just who exactly was his mother? The man and woman who had birthed him, what purpose did they have besides planting a simple seed into the womb of a woman to sprout his existence. Whatever it was, this heritage that was rightfully his ever since his birth had become entirely foreign to him. Monk Gyatso was the only thing he could ever come close to as an actual parental figure, and for that the deceased man held a very special place in his heart. This origin that had began as a mystery, he felt that there should be something more to his birth than becoming the Avatar. Somewhere, something, or someone knew of his purpose. Of why he was created. There's more to him that what meets the eye, there just has to be. Did these people... did they ever love him?

Such individuals shouldn't have much an impact on his life, because they've proven that their importance wasn't needed to stick around through his life. Despite that thought, even he had his curiosities. Such mysteries could lead the mind to investigate, and curiosity is what killed the cat. These thoughts that even he considered to be forbidden had spiked emotions he never knew he possessed, and despite its unclear reasoning as to why he felt such a way, he knew that it screamed for answers.

A clumped amount of green caught his eye as well as his interest. Looking ahead, an island that held a strong amount of resemblance came into view. If it wasn't for the observance of the faint and barely noticeable current that moved along with the island, he would have never guessed it. It was the Lion Turtle that had guided him into sparing the previous Fire Lord Ozai. By sheer luck he was able to encounter the mystical beast that was thought to only be a myth. Appa happily descended down to the island below, unaware of its wisdom that Aang knew of. Finding a small opening in the trees, Appa landed on the comfortable patchy grass before collapsing its entire body on its side.

Aang was able to hop off before Appa rolled over. He took a small look at his surroundings. It was just how he'd remember it to be when he was first here. The forest held a sacred aura and the air around it felt as if you breathed in its invaluable wisdom; And the creature that supported this land was none other than a godly being that could date to before bending the elements was even a possibility. "This was it." He could only think to himself. This was the opportunity that granted him the chance to know about his heritage. Much like the Banyan-Grove Tree in the swamp that connected its vines for miles across end, if he could connect himself spiritually through this Lion Turtle, maybe, just maybe he could be able look into the eyes of the world that has already passed and figure out where his life began. Aang sat cross legged a distance away from his two animal friends and closed his eyes. Slowly drifting his thoughts into a peaceful aroma, he began to meditate while trying to connect himself with what used to be the present and past of this world; and much like all other obstacle in his life, this was proving to be just as challenging.


An additional six months have passed, and Aang continued to meditate himself tirelessly to try and make some form of connection with the ancient being. The few times he's broken his meditation was only to take care of basic needs he and his companions need. Each time he had a decently filling meal while making sure to stock up on a large amount of edibles for his friends so they wouldn't go hungry for so long. Once he went back into a meditating state he became more and more desperate to make a connection. Despite most of the harmony he's managed to train himself in during the war in order to tap into the Avatar State; now all that he was beginning to understand began to slowly cloud into a desperate act of trying to embrace tranquility. These acts of desperation was in attempt to find out who he was. Not the Avatar, but who Aang really was. Sweat poured down his forehead as his meditation began to look forced rather than relaxed. He was getting ready to call it quits, and then-

"Fi..e.. Aang."

A woman's soft and saddened cry ringed his ears. His eyes snapped open, and his soft breathing swiftly turned into panting as he tried to regain control of the airflow within his lungs.

"T-That voice..." He thought.

It was new, and unlike any familiar sound he's ever heard of. Yet, its calling was familiar at the same time. Like he'd always known that voice. Regaining his composure, he forced himself back into a meditative stance. Whatever that voice was, he need to hear more of it. It was calling him, something out there was calling him and he needed to know what. It needed Aang, not the Avatar - Aang!

"Why have you come to this place."

Another voice was heard, but this one was strange. It was matured, and elderly.

"You are seeking something... imprisoned?"

Opening his eyes once again, he realized this voice he heard wasn't coming from the spirit realm that he was sure the first had came from. No, it this voice was echoing throughout the entire island. The Lion Turtle, it had finally took his presence into recognition.

"Y-You can hear me?" He slowly rose to his feet.

"Hearing was not the entirety of it." The Lion Turtle responded. "I can feel your presence through your foul mood. Ever since you landed on me six months ago, these obscene emotions that radiated off you had been intoxicating to even me. It has begun to slowly grow and corrupt your mind into a desperate state of longing - for what, I am not sure. However, this hospitality you helped yourself onto my back along with this aura you leak has annoyed me for too long. Tell me young Avatar, what puts your aura in such a foul mood."

His head had tilted down, his thoughts reverting back into his broken self. He had to tell someone, keeping these emotions bottled up had proven difficult as he found himself wanting to hear anothers opinion. "Well..." He began. "I was fooled into thinking that we were - in love. I-"

"So the source of these intoxicating emotions are because of an earthly attachment that you, the Avatar, has chosen to entwine yourself with." Its voice sounded disappointed. "The duty of the Avatar is to be selfless, and enlighten itself with the world and its energies that surround it. By chaining yourself to this emotion of love, you are going against the purpose of the Avatar's existence."

Aang was taken aback by the Lions Turtles bold input. He was astonished, yet he was also disappointed and unsatisfied with what he heard.

"You... you really think that?"

"I don't think, I know."

Sighing in annoyance, Aang closed his eyes and breathed before sitting once more, trying his best to concentrate and connect to the ancient spiritual creature once again. He didn't have time for this, the last thing he desired would be to argue about the importance of love with a creature that wouldn't know its meaning. He might as well continue what he has been previously doing.

"There is something else, isn't there?" It spoke knowingly.

Aang chose to ignore his words, his concentrating focused once more in reaching enlightenment.

"...I see." The Lion Turtle finally understood. "Very well, I shall allow you to look into the memories of the world. Only then will you be able to seek what you are truly after. But be warned, some memories are best to never be uncovered, but it is not my place to regulate what you are able or not able to see."

Feeling a sudden connection, Aang tapped into its source in anticipation as a sudden wave of memories of billions that have once breathed on this world flooded his mind. All from the biggest creatures in the world, to the tiniest insect to ever set foot onto the dirt. But none of those interested him at all, none of them but one. He felt its familiarity throughout the many different memories and allowed it to draw himself in. He could see the image, reaching his arms out to touch it; the anticipation to finally see the very moment where he was born into this world, and where the persons identity that birthed him began to grow more and more overwhelming.

"Find me, Aang!"

That woman's cry filled his ears again clearer than it was just minutes ago.

"M... Mo-?"

An arm grabbed onto his halting his movements. Following the arm to the source, his eyes fell onto those of Avatar Roku gazing down with concern.

"Aang…" Roku confronted. "I sense great disturbance within your heart. Some of your intentions are starting to become clouded and impure. My perception is telling me that you are about to witness something that only make this worse."

Forcefully pulling his arm away from the previous Avatar, he gave a small scowl in response.

"Most of my life I was expected to make decisions for the greater good. To bring peace and happiness in the name of the Avatar."

"I understand this burden you are feeling. It is the same burden that I, and many Avatars before myself has carried throughout our lives." Roku reasoned. "But trust me when I say this Aang, this is not the way to confront the mistakes made in your past."

"Mistakes?" Aang wondered. "What mistakes are you speaking of Roku? I just want to know why I was born?!" He began to grow frustrated. "I want to know the life that Aang could of had. Not the Avatar! Just, just Aang!"

"You are not ready to face these demons." Roku warned. "Trust me, and the countless of others that came before you when I say this; You aren't ready."

Aangs thoughts halted as he felt the hundreds of Avatars that lived before him forewarned him as much as Roku did. He couldn't accept this, if there was really darkness left in this world it was his job to uncover and eradicate its existence, was it not? No, no. They were hiding something, and they didn't want him to know it. Lack of trust and insecurities began to bloom in his thoughts just as he felt anger and betrayal from Katara's and Zuko's love towards one another. Giving a firm glare at Roku, Aang decided. Starting now, he would finally make his own decisions from here on out.

"I will see what's beyond these memories, and I won't let even you stop me from doing so." Aang declared; He then reached out, not waiting any longer for Roku's attempts to persuade him.

"Aang-"

From the physical world, Appa and Momo awakened to a bright light that enveloped Aang's body. The two creatures gave off sounds of concern as they approached him, all while doing their best to try and stop the light from blinding them. As the Sky Bison and Flying Lemur grew closer, the blinding white light grew larger and larger until it engulfed the two animals along with the Avatar.


It all happened so quick for Aang. It went from a confrontation between Roku and himself to hearing the sounds of a woman's cry in pain as she went into labor. Opening his eyes from the blinding light that overtook his vision, he got a good look at his surroundings.

"Aaaurh!" A woman cried. "Get this damn baby out of me!"

Around her there were men and women, all armed with swords and knives who glanced at every corner of the room in fear after hearing the smallest of creaks. There was a male doctor assisting in helping the woman go into labor, yet the fear in his eyes were as clear as the rest.

"P-Push! Push woman!" He nearly demanded.

"It's gonna hear us." A male bystander cried softly as he began to lose himself. "I-I don't wanna die." His voiced cracked and he grabbed his head in terror.

"We have to silence you, permanently." Another man made his way over to the woman sword in hand as he was prepared to cut her head off.

Another man intervened and attacked him, slicing him across the chest with his own sword scaring any murderous attempts. "Stay away from my wife!" He yelled. "All of you!" His eyes were filled with enormous fear and anger to protect his beloved. "Don't come any closer, you monsters!"

"Monsters?" Another man voiced in hysterical panic. "The real monster is out there. And with the noise you're all making it's definitely gonna know we're hear." He inched closer. "It has to be done, for all of us to survive that woman and child has to be put down!"

"No, No!" He swung again. "Come any closer and see what happens! I dare you!"

Just as they were about to leap, the Doctor smiled as he pulled out the child. "It's a boy." He smiled.

"P-Please..." The mother smiled in delight. "Bring me my baby."

The doctor did as requested, wrapping the blanket that was customized after the child, he handed the frail youth into the hands of the mother. She cooed at the child softly as she held him.

The husband glanced at his wife, tears slowly beginning to drip from his eyes as he witnessed his child and wife lovingly in each others arms. "H-He's perfec-"

The door busted down as a large centipede looking creature swiftly moved in and grabbed a random man by his face before fleeing through a window. The room was filled with screams of terror a moment later after they just witnessed another one of there own taken by the mysterious creature.

"W-We gotta get outta here." One cried as he fled the once blocked room. Shortly after, everyone followed his example like a herd of sheep.

"Honey..." The man grabbed his wife's hand. "We gotta go." He pleaded for her to get up all while hearing countless of screams being dragged away one by one outside the building.

The woman made an attempt to stand, but she was just too weak.

"I-I can't stand." She cried. "I'm too weak."

Reaching for his wife in attempt to lift her to his feet and support her, he stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed the stillness in the air. There were no more screams. No more fear filled cries or pleas to spare ones life. They were gone, every person who once occupied this room was gone, in less than a minute. The silence in the air sent chills down their spines. The possibility of death heightened their senses to a maximum as even the tiniest creak was heard from nearly the other room. And then, the sound of multiple tiny steps was heard. It began to slowly grow louder and louder as it creaked closer to the room they were in. Their hearts dropped knowing that the thing knew of their presence, and he wouldn't let them go either.

"It's here." He voiced. "Hurry, get back in the corner." He helped his limping wife and child to the corner of the room before picking up the blade he had dropped moments before assisting his wife.

"W-What are you gonna do?" She fearfully looked at her husband realizing his intentions. "You can't fight that thing, it'll take you the moment you express any sort of emotion!"

Looking back at his wife, he smiled. "Don't worry, I promise this will all be over soon."

Tears flowed down her face as she took one last look at the man she truly fell in love with. Hearing him say that, she knew what he meant. Something in his voice was telling her that after tonight, despite the outcomes of what will happen momentarily from now. They will not be able to see each other again after its soon to be conclusive remark.

"D-Darling-" She cried, making an attempt to reach for him.

"Don't!" He commanded, the pain in his voice was clear.

In an instant her head snapped back towards the corner of the room shielding their child protectively in her arms as she obeyed his last wish.

"I don't know how long we have, so please... just listen.." His voice grew soft and coarse. "I-I love you. You've made me the happiest man I could ever be when we met so many moons ago. If our paths hadn't crossed when it did, I wouldn't have become the man I now am if it wasn't for you. Look after our child dear. And just know, no matter what you do, no matter what you hear - Promise me, you will never look my way again."

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but nonetheless they stayed glued on the wooden boards of the floor. In the corner of her eye however, she was still able to make out his shadow with the dim light of the moon that shined through the broken windows. Her husbands figure stood proud and strong, defensively wielding his blade against the foe that began to crawl its way into the room. She witnessed its shadow rise from the floor and stood over twice the size of her husband as it stared down at him perfectly still. They stayed like that for a bit, neither of them moving nor making a peep at one another; And then to both of their horror the baby began to whimper. This gained the creatures attention, and it now turned its body to the woman and child while crawling up behind her.

"Y-You" Grasping his sword tighter, fear rose once more in his body for the safety of his wife and child. "You stay away from them you son of a bit-"

The centipede swiftly turned around and latched onto its face before fleeing out the room once more. The woman screamed in fear and shock as she witnessed the shadow of her husband be snatched from her very eyes. "No!" She cried. She called his name over and over again hoping that he would answer her cries - but nonetheless his answers never came. It was silent once again, the only thing being heard was the soft whimpers she released as she violently shook in fear. Another minute passed, and her heart dropped once more as she heard those same tiny taps that took her loving husband away approach.

"Why." She cried. "Why are you doing this to us?"

It did not answer.

"Honey."

Her eye's widened at the voice.

"Honey, it's me. It's safe now. The monster ran off."

Hearing her deceased husbands voice tore her up inside. She wanted to turn around so bad in hope that this illusion she heard was true. But the shadows of the monster that stood only inches behind her made her think otherwise. Don't turn around, don't turn around. She continued to repeat these final words over and over as the temptations to see what she longed for wouldn't overcome her husbands final demands. Whatever you do, just don't turn around. Her eyes were quenched shut, and her arms tightened around her child; And then to her horror - her child who was asleep up until now began to cry. It began to show emotion.

The monster began to inch closer, not to her - but for the child. She instinctively tightened her kid even further to the point that if she held on any tighter it would physically injure her son. But this did not stop this monster, no, it was going to snatch the child one way or another just like her husband.

"W-Wait!" She cried. "Please wait."

The beast halted and retracted slightly.

"Take me, please." She begged. "Just leave my child alone. He's so young, so innocent, he has his whole life ahead of him." She looked down at her child, tears pouring out of her eyes once more. "Please, take me and leave him out of this."

Retracting itself fully, the beast spoke a bone chilling sound that left the woman feeling paralyzed. "Very well." He paced from side to side. "But only because HE has other intentions for that child, after all it is a special one." It added.

She smiled. "Yeah, he is special isn't he. My Aang, my sweet little Aang." She cried. "Mommy only wished she was able to see you grow. There's so much I want to tell you, so much I want to experience with you. I wish we had more time... But, something tells me that despite our circumstances - one day, we will see each other again." She stroked Aang's cheek softly. "When you grow big and strong, please find me, Aang... Find your mother."

She set her child down, making sure to be as gentle and loving as she could. Squeezing the tears out of her eyes, she slowly turned around to face the beast that took her husband. The next thing she felt was an overwhelming force that latched onto her body and took her away, leaving behind a crying baby who searched for the warmth of its mother.

"Find me!"


Breaking out of the nightmare he just lived, Aang fell onto his knees after witnessing the horrific scene his parents experienced. They were taken from him, all from that same creature that he visited in the spiritual world back when he was living in the Northern Water Tribe. Grabbing a fist full of soil, a sense of hatred and revenge filled his bones as he thought of the killer.

"Koh." He spat his name viciously. "You sadistic, bastard."

Koh, the face stealing spirit who took thousands of faces away from many species. His one and only encounter with the spirit to seek knowledge about the moon and sea spirit left quite a fearful introduction to how he his first impression would be. But now, after learning of the acts it has committed; The robbery of having a life with a mother and a father stripped so long ago. The crime that it was responsible for, left him nothing but a lust filled of revenge. Taking in his surroundings, Aang felt the familiar presence of spirits that lingered in the world around him.

"I'm in the spirit realm." He thought confusingly; after witnessing what had just transpired, he could only assume that he would have come back to his physical senses into the mortal realm.

The aura around him felt dense and dark. A thick and barely see through layer of fog overlapped the ground while smoothly and slowly migrating across its terrain. It was familiar and... evil. Seeing the cave that held the face stealing spirit within its dark mouth; The spirit named, Koh. That same monster that robbed him of the love of his parents, it caused his eyes to harden into a powerful glare. He could hear the Avatar's who lived before him confronting his thoughts, warning him that this wasn't how it was suppose to happen. That this destiny to uncover the truth of what lies ahead was not fit for him. He scoffed at some of their claims, how could you expect one to stand by and allow the murderer of innocence to roam free just because someone tells you it isn't your place to intervene. It was a dubious and an unwise act in his eyes. He is the Avatar. The exterminator of all that threatened the balance of peace. But at this point, was he really after peace? Or perhaps, something more - personal.

Feeling a warmth covered in fur, he couldn't help but become bewildered at the presence of Appa and Momo standing along side him in the spirit realm.

"Appa, Momo?" Aang nearly yelled in surprise. 'What are you two flee bags doing here?" He nuzzled his fist against Appa's skull and scratched Momo's ear with his other. "You two shouldn't be here." He sighed.

Appa mumbled some weird noise seemingly understanding Aang's concern. His ears picked up a disturbing sound from within the cave; Becoming alarmed by the noise, he let out a light growl.

"What is it, buddy?" Aang questioned.

"Aang."

His ears perked, the familiar cry of his mother filled his thoughts as he gazed once again towards the cave entrance a distance away. Slowly inching his body to face it, he began to take slow and cautious movements as the womanly voice continued to call his name.

"You are seeking something, imprisoned." The voice of the Lion Turtle resonated in this world followed by the other voices after it.

"He has other intentions for that child, it is a special one." Koh spoke

"One day, we will see each other again. Find me!" She spoke. "Find your mother!"

He stopped walking as soon as he stood at the entrance of the cave. To think that the secret to find her mother was overlooked by mere words when he last gave this sadistic spirit the presence of the Avatar.

"Mom." The word parted softly between his lips.

His eyes were filled with agonizing hate and dread for the well being of the mother he's never knew truly understood. These memories given spiked a need for such companionship. The spirits will of this world called for such a reunion, a reunion that was destined to keep the Avatar on the right track. With that clear in mind it was time to once again face this spirit. This time he was done playing these games of righteousness and pacifism. He would not allow such a distinct stereotype play with his decisions again. He wanted answers.

And he wants it now.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I won't lie, my plans for this chapter were have Aang begin to show darker and more cruel decisions in this world, but after thinking about it I thought it would be pretty childish and laughable if he began unspeakable crimes over the pain of a broken heart. Aang is beginning to break in this chapter as you can see, his thoughts aren't of the interest of world anymore. It is form him, his selfless acts have now become selfish and emotion drawn. Anyways review your thoughts. What should I improve on. What are you expecting from this story so I can laugh inwardly to myself if this is what you were looking for or not.

Anyways, thank you for the support, And I will see you all when the next chapter is finished with production.

TheLivingMyth