Chapter 38

Tales of the World

The Tale of Nuuttuittuq (Nut)

She had lived millennia but few mortals had interested Nuuttuittuq as Maddison Fletcher did. She did not understand the need of a second name but Maddison never used it so Nuuttuittuq thought it must not have been very important. She could still remember first seeing the girl, floating dismally in the mist that marked the boarder of the spirt world. Nuuttuittuq had never gone beyond that particular boarder, from what she knew nothing existed beyond that boarder. Yet here was proof of otherwise. A human girl, half dead, almost completely naked just floating in the mists that bordered the sprit world and the endless abyss.

Nuuttuittuq had never cared particularly for humans. She had often been accused of being a human sympathizer by the spirits who hated humans. Her reply was that it was hardly her fault that humans had chosen her star for navigation purposes or that they thanked her whenever they got home (although it caused her great pleasure, not that she would tell the other major spirits that). The role of spirits was beyond that of comprehension of humans, just as their minds were far to… simplistic to be of much interest. But a girl floating on the edge of the abyss was just too much to deny her curiosity. So Nuuttuittuq took the girl from that place and to were she was safer.

After Nuuttuittuq 'accidentally' checked the girl's mind she had been fascinated to discover a language that she had never heard before. She wasn't sure where the girl had come from but she knew that the struggle to learn a totally new language would be hard and with the war… Nuuttuittuq knew that to mess with a mortal's mind was immoral but she was helping this mortal. And she was fascinated by her.

After doing what she could to ensure Maddison's survival Nuuttuittuq proceeded to watch over the girl, her interactions with the various major spirits and minor alike. She can to appreciate her and found herself feeling something akin to admiration for all she had overcome. The nickname bestowed upon her by the girl didn't bother her as much as she had thought it would. She was ashamed to admit that she actually cared about the welfare of this strange mortal. But she couldn't stop herself from watching, guiding, comforting and even cheering the small girl on as she faced obstacle after obstacle in her way with aplomb.

She had been watching Maddison's time in Ba Sing Se closely, well aware of the danger the girl faced. But she couldn't help but smile as she watched the girl… no, woman get pulled along by her friends to the spa.

"I'm not sure that…"

"Hey if I gotta go so are you!" The blind earthbender, Toph proclaimed. Maddi sighed, her head bending in submission but the smile teasing her cheeks said otherwise.

"Besides, it's a girl's day out. Unless you'd rather spend the day with Sokka." Katara teasing laughingly.

"Can I take that option?" Maddi questioned but the laughter in her voice could no longer be hidden.

"No!" The other girls chorused causing Maddison to burst out laughing. Nut watched the three of them with warm eyes.

"I see you are enjoying the show?" Nut spun and instantly was on her knees.

"My lady, I did not expect you to be coming." La laughed.

"Rise Nuuttuittuq, or should I call you Nut now?" Nuuttuittuq blushed deeply at her lady's teasing tone.

"Forgive me I have become... fascinated with the humans."

"I am well aware, in particular Maddison. Many spirits are fascinated with her. I must warn you though, it would be best if it did not become common knowledge that you were the one to bring her to the world." Nuuttuittuq frowned but nodded.

"Why my lady? Is she in trouble?" La did not reply, instead turning away.

"I thank you for encouraging her to save my daughter and priestess. Some great events are about to unfold." Nuuttuittuq's mind whirled as she deciphered the hidden meaning behind her lady's words and paled as they took form. Looking back at the girls who were enjoying a mud bath and laughing at Toph bending the substance her heart sank. She would have to look beyond Maddison for the time being.

Nuuttuittuq cast her gaze elsewhere in the world, looking for other humans that Maddi had effected on her journey. The first one to come to mind was Jet. The young man was wandering the streets of Ba Sing Se, convinced that he had given up a life of crime fighting to leave peacefully and quietly in the city. At the same time Smellerbee and Longshot were looking for him, fearful and wondering. Nut smiled at the emotions flying between those two. There was far more then just worry for Jet. Then her eyes wandered farther, looking into other areas of the world. That was when she realized just how much change Maddi had caused without realization.


The Tale of Zuko

It was a quiet night at the teashop when I noticed a girl watching me. More specifically a girl who had been in the teashop several times in the last few days. She seemed to be well on her way to becoming a regular. When she caught me looking at her she quickly averted her eyes to her tea cup. Nervously I began to wipe the counter. Was she some sort of spy? I shook the thought away. No, she was just a girl who was curious, probably about my scar.

"Thank you for the tea." I jumped in surprise, alarmed as she smiled at me. She was pretty, in a plain sort of way and something in her face was familiar.

"L...Lee." I stumbled, unsure about where this was going. I sent a nervous look to Uncle who smiled brightly and gave me a obvious wink. She smiled, introduced herself and then asked if I'd 'like to go out sometime'.

"He'd love to." I was beginning to wonder if I was even part of this conversation. Especially when, without consulting me the date was set for tonight. Not that I was complaining, Jin seemed like a nice girl but... I wasn't sure that I wanted a relationship. I still had a lot to figure out without a girl getting in my head. I already had to many girls in my head as it was. Azula and Maddi were enough, thank you. There was no way I was going to explain that to my uncle though so the date would have to be. After Jin left, wearing a bright smile I turned to Uncle.

"Why do I have to go on a date?"

"Why not. A date with a pretty girl might help you relax, have a bit of fun. When I was your age I had plenty of girls."

"I hope you mean on dates." I quickly interjected, turning nervous at where the conversation was headed. Uncle just laughed guiltily. Deciding not stay and accidentally get more details then I wanted I bolted to go ask a new customer what they would like.

That evening I found myself in a formal outfit with my hair slicked so close to the scalp I felt like I as wearing a wet rag. Grudgingly I slipped outside and looked for Jin. The sooner this date was over the better. Jin though clearly didn't have the same thoughts. When I walked out she laughed.

"Aren't you sweet." She laughed, reaching up on her tiptoes to ruffle my hair.

"My uncle took ten minutes to do that." I sighed, slightly annoyed. Jin just laughed and grabbed my hand.

"Come on, there's a really nice little restaurant that I'd like you to see." She dragged me through the streets of Ba Sing Se and I found myself relaxing. Perhaps uncle was right, this was nice in a strange way. Then again my only interactions with girls consisted of my sister and her crazy friends, Maddi and Song. Five girls in seventeen years. That was really sad in hindsight. Most boys my age probably had been with more then five.

As I trotted to keep up with her I found myself completely lost in the winding streets of Ba Sing Se. Jin stopped a few minutes later and pulled me out of the alleyway that we had been running through. In front of us was a restaurant. It was a small, quaint place but clean, pleasant and had a good number of people happily chatting. I did notice though that a good portion of them were couples. Great. Jin let go of my hand and walked across the street to the restaurant. I quickly followed her, realizing it would be rude to leave her alone. The woman at the counter smiled when she saw us.

"Hello Jin, who's this?"

"Yasmin, this is Lee, Lee this is Yasmin." I nodded to the girl, she like Jin was very pretty and shorter then me. In fact of all the earth kingdom girls I had met not one of them was as tall as Maddi. Song had been the closest out of them all and even then she was half a head shorter then I.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lee. Jin you have table twelve, you know where it is." I was beginning to think that Jin knew this restaurant a lot better then she had been letting on when she told me about it. Song seemed to realize that too and blushed when she caught my pointed look.

"My sister works here," she explained, "she's not working tonight though, don't worry." I sighed and nodded, following her to one of the outlaying tables. We sat across from each other and fell into silence.

"Soo. How are you liking the city so far?"

"It's... nice." And utterly corrupt if what Maddi told me is correct I added mentally.

"What do you like to do for fun?" I blinked. What did I like to do for fun?

"I've never had much time for fun," I admitted softly. Jin's face fell.

"Oh. Why?" I shifted uncomfortably.

"I was pretty preoccupied with other things and my uncle and I... we never really stayed in one place long enough to have fun there."

"I'm sorry."

"It's hardly your fault." I pointed out, "You didn't even know me until a few hours ago." I fell silent again as a waiter walked over and handed us our food. Once he walked away we were silent again until Jin spoke.

"So why were you traveling that much?"

"We were refugees, our home was pretty much destroyed and we had nowhere to go." I shrugged, "How about you? Have you ever left Ba Sing Se?" Jin shook her head and picked up her fork.

"No, I was born here, my father is a woodworker and my mom and older sister work in restaurants like this. I'm going to have to get my own job too pretty soon actually."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen." Jin replied, "So I'm officially a woman now. My sister's seventeen, she's getting married next week. How about you?'

"I turned seventeen a few weeks ago." She nodded. For a while we focused on our food, just enjoying the atmosphere and the tastes. Uncle was right, this was nice.

After dinner Jin dragged me away again, talking excitedly about a 'firelight fountain' that she wanted me to see. I found myself smiling at her smile. I had not been this happy in a long time.

"Oh no." I looked up. I had been watching Jin's braids as they bounced in time to her running. We were standing in a large courtyard, with a large fountain in the centre. All around there were large pole lanterns and candles floating on the water. Not one was lit.

"Normally it's beautiful with the flames reflected in the water-"

"Close your eyes." I told her, stepping forward. She had made me happy, it was time to return the favour.

"Why?"

"Just do it... and don't peek." Jin nodded and covered her eyes with her hands. Once I was sure she wasn't going to disobey my words I took a deep breath and began to fire bend.

It was liberating to be able to fall into the familiar forms that were as important as breath to me. Once I was done I had to admit. She was right it was beautiful. The golden lights shimmering off the water illuminated the entire area in a soft glow that was reflected on the water turning the clear to gold.

"You can look now." Jin's entire face lit up as she turned to me in wonder.

"How did you..." I smiled and put a finger to my lips. To my surprise Jin bounced up and pushed my hand away then pressed her lips to my own.

After she pulled away I discovered that I couldn't stop smiling. This was nice. I was glad that I had spent time with Jin, she was an amazing girl.

"Thank you." She whispered as she pulled my hand into hers. I just continued to smile, thanking her quietly so no one else would hear it.


Tale of Maddi

I sighed, relaxing under Appa's familiar shade in the backyard. Yesterday Toph and Katara had dragged me along with them to the spa although their reasons for doing so were radically different. Katara wanted all three girls otherwise it wasn't a 'girl's day out' and Toph just wanted someone else to be miserable. It had actually been a lot of fun, especially the mud bath and the steam room. It had helped me relax but I was still anxious about Long Feng's threats. What would that man be willing to do to get what he wanted?

"You done yet?"

"Are you going to stop babysitting me?"

"No."

"There's your answer." Sokka groaned and rolled back over with a roll of his eyes.

"Can we at least practice?" I nodded and stood. Over the months together Sokka and I had both become very good. Defeating the other had really become a battle of endurance and luck. That didn't mean that we went any easier, in fact we went out of our ways to push the other into new heights. I didn't remember Sokka being this good at fighting from the series but perhaps competition against someone had pushed him to new heights as it had me.

It was easy to fall into the familiar pattern between us. The battle in some ways more relaxing then the spa had been. It was ironic, I though as I parried a blow and then countered with a jab to the shoulder which he blocked.

"So am I supposed to read your mind or are you going to tell me what is bothering you?" I swung to the left, dodging his attack and partially blocking it with the bow saddled on my back.

"It's nothing that can be dealt with right now… yunno, the future." I responded swinging m now out and around and notching an arrow. For the purposes of this exercise my arrows were covered with a thick cloth wrapped around the sharp head. Sokka too had found a way to dull his boomerang short-term so that we could alternate between long and close distance combat in the same fight. Both would leave a heck of a bruise if they ever landed but both of us were quite effect when it came to dodging by now.

"Well then can you please relax, leave the backyard. Do something? Despite what you think none of us like this any more then you do." He paused, "Besides the Dai Li would have a heck of a time trying to keep you down."

"They're earth benders, I can only do so much if my feet are stuck to the ground."

"Valid point." I loosed my arrow and it was dodged easily enough by Sokka who threw his own boomerang. After I ducked away from that metal projectile I raised my hands.

"Fine, stop. If you're that confined let's get out of here. Go exploring." Sokka's smile lit up the entire backyard.


(Tale of Maddi continued)

I smiled as I wandered through the lower ring. It was a beautiful day. If I didn't have a babysitter it would be perfect. Sokka though seemed just as content to explore the lower ring and not act like he was guarding me. Katara seemed to have the bad habit of acting like I was a toddler when it was the two of us. I loved Katara, really I did but she needed to learn how to let me have my freedom and that I could take care of my self just as well as she could. I paused while walking by a basket vendor, noticing the flower in full bloom in semi-shade. The moon flower. I quickly scanned the street but saw no sign of Iroh. Still I wasn't just going to let it go. Turning to the vendor I spoke.

"Have you seen an old man around here? About this tall, long white beard, big belly?" The man nodded with a smile.

"Is he your grandfather? He was a very nice fellow, quite polite. Went down that way about an hour ago." He pointed down the road, the same way we had been walking.

"Yes, thank you." I replied and grabbing Sokka's arm away from admiring a basket I dragged him up the path. Meeting Iroh would be amazing, I would love to chat with him more. Then I stopped. Today was Lu-Ten's birthday. Did I really want to disturb Iroh in his grieving?

"Pala? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I decided, "I just wanted to go look at that flower shop." Sokka sent me a strange look but didn't argue. Instead he shrugged and wandered in with me. The thick perfume of multiple flowers all in full bloom was heavy in the air as I wandered into the lit shop. It was beautiful. I quickly found myself enchanted in a large yellow glossy flower which reminded me somewhat of a buttercup and lily cross. Noticing my attention to the plant the vendor came over and began to talk it up, praising the glow that it possessed. It was a relative of the moonflower that was prized for the yellow glow it cast when catching the sunlight.

"I'll buy one please." I stated, utterly taken by the plant. Sokka just shook his head but didn't seem as bothered as he was trying to be.

A few minutes later we left with my flower placed in the safety of a separate pot. I was really loving the glow it cast, just like the vendor had stated. Heading home now that the sun was beginning to sink towards the west I teased Sokka about his interest in bags, sacks and various carrying tools. He ignored me with a shaking head.

"I'm glad to see that you're enjoying yourself." I shrugged.

"Even I need a little bit of time to be girly, although in all honesty the spa was a lot more pampering then I had expected." Sokka didn't reply. Frowning I turned to him. He had stopped and was looking around nervously. Frowning I put my potted plant down and looked around. It was quiet. Too quiet. Then a young man strode across the street, freezing when he saw us. For a long moment not one of us moved from our spot.

"Jet?"


The Tale of Su-Sen

The heat of the sun pressed down upon me, cracking my lips and scorching my back. Quietly I leaned against a tree and hoped for death to come to me. This slow death was no more then I deserved. If I was still in the army my blood would have been spilt on the ground and my head would have become separated from my body. This way was better.

I must have blacked out because when I woke something cold and wet was being pressed to my face. I gasped, my tongue instinctively going towards the wetness, wanting to feel like something besides sand cloth.

"Here, drink." The water poured down my throat much to slow for my liking but I didn't complain. Whoever was saving me I was thankful for. Perhaps the spirits had decided to allow me to have a life after all. The water was taken away after I had drunk a large portion. Blearily I opened my eyes only to freeze in shock. The familiar weathered face of my own father looked down upon me. For a split second I believed that I had somehow died and was now dreaming on my path to the spirit world but I was proven wrong when he wrapped his arms around me and began to cry. If there was one thing that always remained true was that my father never cried.

"Sue-Sen, I thought... I though I had lost you." He swept, clinging to me like life itself.

"Father I don't..."

"We were told that you're battalion was captured by the fire nation. We thought you were dead." Shame ran through me like a hot poker.

"I should be." I replied struggling to get out of his arms.

"Then thank the spirits for preserving your life and let us go home."

"You don't understand!" I shouted, shooting upwards only to loose my balance and fall. My father caught me, unwilling to let me fall.

"I understand perfectly. The spirits preserved the life of my oldest son."

"The spirits did nothing. I ran away." I expected my father to drop me, to turn his back and leave me to die as I deserved. Instead he looked me straight in the eyes.

"I don't care. Your entire battalion is dead but you are alive. I don't care if you killed your own commander, you're my son and you're coming home." My father threw my arm around his shoulder and helped me up, pushing me onto Runner our ostrich horse.

I must have blacked out again because when I woke up I was in my bed at home. The room smelled musty, old, I hadn't slept here in over a year so I wasn't that surprised.

"Sue-Sen! Mom, Dad, Su-Sen's awake." I sat up as Lee, my little brother tackled me, beaming excitedly.

"Hey there Lee." I laughed, swinging my legs out of bed, still clutching the young boy. Noticing his smile I grinned.

"Well look at that, you've lost some teeth." Lee grinned excitedly.

"I know I'm almost grown up right? Zuko thought so!"

"...Zuko?" I asked but was ignored as with an excited cry my mother threw herself at me.

"Mother, it's alright, I'm fine." I explained, patting her back awkwardly as she sobbed into my shirt. After a moment she pulled away allowing me to pose my question again.

"Who's Zuko?"

I could feel my jaw go slack as my little brother told me the story of Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation banished because he wanted to end the war, who wanted to defeat his father just as much as we did, who gave Lee a knife, rescued my little brother, and had declared the man who some people called the greatest fire lord in history insane. As the story was unveiled I began to feel a large amount of respect for the man who was willing to do so much for strangers who didn't even belong to his own nation. I had heard the tale of the avatar being around but I had no idea about this prince. A strange feeling came upon me and I realized what I had to do. To restore my own self-worth I would join Zuko's army, create it if I had to, and I would help him take down the fire lord for good.


Tale of Yue

High priestess of the moon Yue sighed as she meditated by the spirit oasis. She was trying to get in contact with La, hoping that the spirit of the moon would provide the answers that Yue wanted. Answers about who was to be the next ruler of the Northern Water Tribe. As she had been her father's only child there was no other heir and as she was a priestess now she was not allowed to have any attachment to the tribe itself beyond that of a priestess. If Hahn was still alive then he would have automatically become the next king, however he was dead which left no one. As priestess though it was her duty to choose the heir if such a case as this were to occur. The problem was I could think of no one who would be able to make a good king. I had unfortunately had little access to men beyond my father as princess so I had little knowledge of the men in our tribe.

"Yue." I turned opening my eyes. Behind me was a woman in her early twenties. She was beautiful, thick dark hair that fell down her back like a waterfall and a blue and silver dress. Her eyes though were entirely white and glowed eerily.

"Who are you?" I gasped, standing and stumbling away in shock. The stranger raised a single hand in a sign of peace.

"Be calm, I am Nuuttuittuq, first lady to La. I believe that I have some information that will aid you greatly."


The Result of Rumours

Deep in the heart of the fire nation, was a man who sat behind a brazier of fire. He had heard many things from his spies around the earth kingdom but this was the final straw. His enemies were massing, creating a force that unless it was squashed he would be unable to fight. It was clear now that the Avatar was a much greater threat then he had first appeared, as were his companions. Unless something was done these rumours would grow and with them a rebellion that could threaten his own empire. Fire lord Ozai stood. First it had been a simple annoyance but time and time again this avatar had not only avoided all efforts of capture he was rallying the people along with this girl... Maddison he had heard was her name. A strange name for a earth kingdom girl but there were rumours that she was not just earth kingdom, that she was a fire nation colonial or that she had even been born fire nation and had changed sides. Either way that name should be easy to find unless she had created it herself.

It was his son he was far more worried about. There were faint whispers of a rebellion forming in Zuko's name. That there were people cheering for his son, proclaiming him the true fire lord. These whispers were even running amok in his own lands. No longer. The avatar and his friends would be put back into line and he would make sure that his brother and son would never have a chance to defeat him. He wanted them gone and defeated. Not killed, that would make martyrs of them. No, better to lock them away where they would never see the light. If they happened to waste away in jail no one would be the wiser. It was time for the fire lord to take action and take back his empire.


A/N: Sorry that it took so long for me to update but on the upside I have finished two of my AP exams so I'm pretty much finished hooray for that. So I can begin updating on a regular bases again. Thank you for your patience.

As for the guest who has been reviewing thank you for reminding me to keep posting even if I am busy. I'm glad that you are enjoying my story so far.

Princess Kassie Out.